City of God

Probably the biggest movie experience I've had and I'm not afraid to give it a full score. City of God has a very gritty story set in Rio de Janeiro, with no shortage of dead children and women. Little Z is a devilishly cool villain, the main character, a photographer, is a likable guy, and playboy Denny is the most popular and friendly drug dealer I've ever seen. There's also humor and some very powerful scenes that will stick in your memory for a long time. 95% (10/04/2017)

An exceptional masterpiece that may only receive true recognition after several years. The Brazilian nature of this film can literally be felt in every second. The filmmakers break away from the typical clichéd story and give us a gritty, realistic experience, where we see the harsh life in the roughest neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro. The formal aspect is flawless, with fantastic handheld camera, brilliant editing, and sound. The actors (unknown to me) give wonderful performances and the direction is even better. (05/07/2005)

This beautifully raw film, City of God, depicting the bloody past of Rio de Janeiro's most dangerous and oldest slum, is exactly the kind of drama that hits you to the core. And not only in form or subject matter, but above all in how incredibly authentic and realistic it is. That's the way movies based on true events should be made, so that their realness cries out to all corners of the world. (95%) (03/07/2023)

The City of Gods is an extraordinary film, primarily because of its content, depicting poverty in the slums on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and the enormous criminality that exists in this area. It is based on a true story. In the past, the problem of impoverished neighborhoods was even greater. The notorious Death Squads (EM) originated in Brazil, and the abbreviation comes from the name of the motorized police brigades, whose members illegally massacred members of children's gangs in the suburbs of Brazilian cities in the 60s. The film's strengths lie in its modern editing, good camera work, screenplay, and performances by completely unseen actors in Europe. There is nothing major that can be criticized about the film. Overall impression: 95%. (10/28/2007)

Now. that's what I call proper craftsmanship! The directors literally jumped in headfirst to present a true hell on earth in the most cruel, uncompromising, and "unfortunately" the most realistic point of view. What's more, they didn’t need stars or pools of blood. No, what makes this film so compelling is the shocking fact that this is how life is really lived, and an amazing portrayal of characters as they try to deal with the events around them in the only way possible, with a gun always at hand. Such a film could be interesting even without a plot, but City of God has a very good one, with plenty of action and keeps a very high pace throughout. After the closing credits, I was simply amazed and captivated by the quality and power of the story, which made me even more grateful that I was born here in Czechia, where kids don't get a shotgun or a membership in a killer gang for their tenth birthday. (05/09/2011)