Fracture (2007) (anthony hopkins, ryan gosling) is somehat like this movie, except without all of the "action"... as it is an actual court-law battle within the courtroom (one of the absolute best "chess game" courtroom battles, it makes law and order and etc type of tv shows, such a joke, lol), unlike with this movie, where clyde is doing most of his "genius" outside of the courtroom... laughs
he killed the cell mate so he gets put into Solitary confinement. And he needed to be there because thats where his tunnels were . Everything he did was planned. it's a good movie and good writing.
I don't usually pull for the bad guy, but he was teaching an object lesson here. TRY for justice instead of worrying about your conviction rate. I was pulling for Clyde 100%.
I never viewed him as the villain. He was just a family man that was failed by the justice system (if we can even call it that) and took matters into his own hands.
Jaime Fox's character deserved to die. He doesn't make deals with killers as he kills someone. His Fox's vengeance is justified but Butler's is condemned for his. That's the one thing I hate about this movie. Letting a killer walk, assaulting a handcuffed prisoner under color of law, and murder. Fox skates and suffers no consequences. Hell, he got a promotion out of it. Fox should have died. Or at least be in prison.
His Lawyer (Nick - Aka Jaime Foxx) didn't want to go to trial in the off chance that he'd lose the case and "tarnish his conviction rate" which is absolutely insane to even imagine there ARE lawyers like that. So, he took a plea deal from Darby to still get his win and maintain his conviction record. Then you saw what Clyde had to say about that lol. Which is why it hit deep when Clyde was talking to Nick after the beating, Nick says "Say I said we take this to trial. We might have lost." and Clyde's response "You didn't care Nick, you didn't even try. You could have walked out of that courtroom with your head held high. I could have lived with that." had they lost the trial, eluding to Nick's only care was for his conviction rate.
Nick might have won the battle, but Clyde definitely won the war. He knew his mission would only end one way sooner or later and he embraced it. He'd already lost everything worth living for in his eyes, he got his vengeance, and he had a message to send, with the one person he needed to understand receiving that message loud and clear, and then he got to go out in a blaze of glory.
really? Nick had to kill him out of vengeance and spite instead of really locking him up for good. Then he just walks off with a promotion. The system is still corrupt and nothing changed.
@@0725038 Eh, I suppose that's fair, though it could be argued that Nick attempted to reason with Clyde to give up and when that failed and Clyde activated the bomb, It was more about Clyde being consumed by his own vengeance than Nick getting his. Ultimately, though it's Nick saying he doesn't make deals with murderers anymore that declared Clyde as the victor, a pyrrhic victory perhaps, but like I said, he knew this was a suicide mission from the beginning. Sure, Nick was forced to subvert "justice" to end the fight, but it was doing things by the book and caring more about conviction rates and reputation than actually pursuing justice that brought them to this position in the first place.
Well, the original ending was for Clyde to win and survive. But Jamie Foxx threw a fit and wouldn't star if he didn't get the ending he wanted. However, even in this ending Clyde ultimately proved his point and won because Nick had to diverge from the legal system to win, committing crimes and killing Clyde. Kinda "The Dark Knight" type ending with Harvey Dent.
@@S1D3W1ND3R015I don't know if this is true but you seem to be spreading it around a lot but I already said my piece has to. I think that would have been a bad ending anyway if Clyde had lived. This is kind of like the joker and the dark Knight movie. The joker dying doesn't matter as long as Harvey dent or Batman is the one who kills him because that's the point he was trying to make. Clyde's point was basically you can't go by the justice system. Step by step if you want to get true justice. The justice system has too many loopholes for people to exploit. As soon as Clyde started yelling at the female judge it was super obvious what the point he was trying to make. And if you take that point and you look at the rest of the movie you will realize that. Nick did exactly what Clyde would have done in that situation. Nick just did it in his own way. He didn't directly kill Clyde himself but he did sick like up to die as the solution to a problem that the legal system couldn't stop.
The reason why he was naked for when the cops came was to show that he wasn't a threat considering that he patiently cut a man into 26 pieces. Cops probably would've been told to shoot on sight. Any clothes he could've worn may have hidden any weapons or potential explosives.
"Shoot on sight" means they would have shot him upon entry. They were probably told he was considered armed and dangerous. So him being naked helped them to see he wasn't armed.
The Israeli Mossad actually have done that to people. The first instance was in 1996, against bomb-maker Yahya Ayyash, who got given a burner phone that destroyed his brain via a directional explosive. The worst part is, the phone is the exact same weight and works as the charge is small enough to fit alongside the existing components. It's a really small explosive, as the ear canal leads to a weak point in the skull.
At least in the U.S., it is because the court of public opinion has gained so much power that it actually sways the court of justice in many cases nowadays. Doing this to an already flawed and inefficient system gives us what we have now. I give it another 15 years before we operate like China only we will completely replace the legal system with a public social credit system based on the court of public opinion. That said, statistically, a lot of problems and injustices are because people don't actually make it to court, they get scared into talking to the police and cutting a deal on the terms of the DA office without proper representation, two things you never do. Allot of those documentaries and youtube videos you watch where the guy never did the crime but still got 20 years or something crazy like that, it was because they were probably being threatened by either the police or DA office or both with a life sentence or even death penalty depending on the state and the prosecutor/cops were lying(which in the U.S. they can legally do) about the evidence they have so the accused cut the 20 year deal reasoning it was the better option. Ignorance isn't bliss, it is painful, sometimes deadly, and certainly unfair. Always ask for a lawyer(its free and your constitutional right so might as well) and then exercise your right to remain silent until they arrive, without exception.
@joshbull623 US justice sytem needs to stop televising every single case. More specifically cases that involve serious crimes, should not be televised. And any cases that are televised, shouldnt be released to the public till after it all said and done, therefore public opinion has a harder time swaying the justice system.
Two lines in this movie always make me giggle like a child..."That's what wrenches ate for dumb ass" and "Its gonna be Biblical". Hilarious. This is a great movie
This is a fantastic movie. It's a great depiction of how flawed the justice system is and how it can screw people over. Clyde watched the man who killed his family get off scott free while his accomplice(who was really only guilty of B&E)was executed. He chose to take matters into his own hands and teach a lesson about justice vs conviction rate. His lesson was stop worrying about getting the conviction and actually try to ensure that justice is served correctly. His actions were extreme and illegal, but his point was clearly made.
legality only applies if the system in place to enforce and decide laws works. the system is broken so all kinds of legislation and national laws are out of the window at this point, primal law is the only law that matters anymore. eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, anyone involved in the crime in anyway shares the punishment of the criminal who commited it. human rights only apply to good people not pond scum criminals.
@2khotshot I completely agree. In an ideal world, that would make perfect sense. Of course, in an ideal world, we wouldn't have pond scum criminals, kinda making the point moot.
Good film, horrible ending😂 nick didn't learn the lesson he was being taught. Both characters could've won. We didn't see Nick have character development. We could've seen him make the transformation by someone telling him that they have almost zero chance to win If he takes it to trial but he says "I'd rather try and walk out with my head held high." Clyde would've still went out in his blaze of glory. Idk I'm not a writer 😂
"Lessons not learned in blood are soon forgotten." Saw this when it came out. The Judge scene a man behind me shouted, "JAH!" Fracture is also a good one, came out around the same time.
FUN FACT: Clyde was meant to win in the end. But, Jamie Foxx didnt like not winning and got the director to change the script for the end. A lot of folks love this movie, love this story, but hate the ending
@@topherbec7578 You're not wrong. He had nothing to lose. But at the same time, if the ending was shoehorned by Foxx, they probably just made it that way to try and keep it coherent. All of the careful planning and he trips at the finish line? He was a man on a mission. Orchestrated all those deaths. But a two-second dig into corporate accounts fells him? It's such a glaring oversight for a guy who spent 10 years digging INTO prison and being always two steps ahead of everybody else.
Yeah, unhinged psycho getting away with murders would have been a great ending. Maybe they should have given Clyde a trophy at the end as well for being morally superior than others.
Clyde still won no matter how things turned out. Nick was promoted to a position of power and now he has had the lessons Clyde pounded into his very soul. Clyde isn't the hero we deserved, but he is the hero we needed.
We need a person who is Clyde and The Punisher in one, skilled engineering tactician and weapon master. Someone who can bring down the whole government system to pieces and destroy every politician(because at this point i believe that there is not non-corrupt politician on the world). The mighty of this world should know fear.
@@knell18897 Unlike you i am an adult and actually live my life, that brings many experiences. When you grow up you will understand what is happening around you. (or are you a Zelensky supporter? That would be way worse than being a child but it would make a perfect sense why you answered like this)
@@Gylaran you claimed you are an adult yet you act like short temper children. Where is this Zelensky even coming from ? projecting much ? And no adult assuming anyone they meet on the internet is a child either, it's weird. I'm not old but I have been around, long enough to see that generalizing a group of people base on actions of the few and media is not a healthy mindset. If you actually live your life like you claimed to be then you would know that everything is not black and white.
Not going to lie. I 100% understand. Man lost *everything* and watched the main guy behind that just walk free after only spending a little time in the naughty corner. That's more than enough to push a man past the breaking point, and in this case, that man just so happened to be a militarized engineer.
It isn't always about complacency, sometimes it is about fear and survival. Whether it be a cop that reports another cop then is found left out to dry in the field to die without backup because no one wants to support what they see as a rat or on rare occasion the cop be outright killed by the corrupt cops directly or because of dumb ass laws like in CA and NY that allows the accused to gain access to personal information on the accusers and to do what we saw in this video where they use another loophole to get released on bail then like multiple NYC gangs have done use that info and freedom to track down the trial witnesses o or in some cases the person who simply called in the crime to police but isn't necessarily testifying and then kill them so that only a single gang member(the one that kills the witness/reporter) to jail instead of multiple members; in todays world, especially the half a dozen dumb ass states that think they are "progressive", I wouldn't report shyt either for my families sake more than even just my own. The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled that police have no specific obligation to protect. In its 1989 decision in DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services, the justices ruled that a social services department had no duty to protect a young boy from his abusive father either. So when you look it up and see that in most states, mere failure to report a crime isn't a crime in itself, it isn't very surprising. Courts are set up one way nowadays and it is the same as everything else in the U.S., to make money, until that changes I think it is irresponsible for people to put their lives in the hands of the system if they have an opportunity to avoid doing so altogether. We live in an age of government and private security cameras on every other street, traffic cams everywhere, law enforcement and security drones, private drones, more satellites and satellite access for law enforcement than ever before, to hell with risking your life reporting anything. Through stupidity in voting, we as a society agreed to give up more freedom for more security, lets at least enjoy the fruits of that since we can't go back, one of those fruits in less need to get involved and not risking your hide.
This is one of those movies a good guy is actually a bad guy, but he’s being bad for the right reasons and you’re rooting for him all the way to the end
Speak for yourself. I wasn't rooting for the psycho. When he was killing directly involved in his family's murder case I could understand that. But then he started killing people who were not involved just to make a point.
@@azazello1784 So what you are saying, is someone raped and killed your entire family you wouldn’t go and seek your own justice. You’re a very shallow individual my friend
So glad you watched this movie. Ever since I watched it, it has remained in my top 5 movies of all time......its so gripping and intriguing. Fun Fact: When they were sent the scripts both Gerard Bulter and Jamie Fox were writting and considered for the other role.....but both of the individually said they wanted to play what they are now. Honestly a super good call. I just can't imagine Jamie Foxx as Clyde.
The film isn't about the justice system being flawed, its about the justice system not being about justice. Trying for justice and failing is acceptable, no system can be perfect but the attempt is what matters. Clyde says he could of lived with that quite clearly, he probably would of killed Darby but it would of ended with that. His war was about the justice system being a career engine for lawyers to make millions of the suffering of others, rather than trying for justice. Fox's character was a hot shot, future DA, and he didn't give one damn about justice, he wanted his career record. Ignoring what his career is about, the pursuit of justice, and that's the real crime Clyde wanted to avenge. Killing the people who wronged him was the easy part, he wanted future victims to have someone try to get them justice.
Gerrard Butler's character in this movie is the most relatable protagonist in movie history. Everyone he punishes deserves to be punished and he exposes the Law system for the corrupt charade that it is. The only bad thing, was that the bad guy, Jamie Foxx's character, gets away in the Hollywood ending.
After watching it for the 4th of 5th time, I actually kind of like the ending. Clyde was trying to make a point and show that the system is corrupt. That right and wrong is clear. Nick has the scene where he says that "he gets it" and breaks Clyde's civil rights by breaking into his property. Lastly, Rice has to basically murder Clyde without a proper trial. Rice had to break all the rules and go against what he stood for to win, which makes Clyde the winner. Kind of like when Brad Pitt's character kills Kevin Spacey's character in Seven. Spacey dies, but he won by breaking Pitt's character.
@@xcmvp2007all the slow people don't send to understand this. Honestly, I understood that this was the point as soon as Clyde berated the female judge for giving him bail. Should have been the huge red flag to tell everybody what Clyde's point was. But most people in this comment section seems to let that fly over their head.
10:13 Since I don't see anybody else answering this, the reason he took his clothes off, is because of military SOP; if military or police _know_ their target is armed and dangerous, the only time they take them alive, is if they're laying on their stomach, naked. Otherwise, they might have a weapon, or even a bomb, concealed on their person. Clyde took his clothes off, because he was aware of this fact.
Fun Fact: The director of this film (F. Gary Gray) also directed the 1st "Friday" movie starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. He also directed Straight Outta Compton, Set It Off and The Italian Job amongst others.
The crystal clear cinematography and superb lighting make effective use of aerial views of the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia). The movie proceeds at a rivetingly brisk pace and never lets up on the accelerator.
@@SignalFlowers prove it! Point out where i implied anything like that. They started putting out more videos, i said i liked it. Where did i say i thought it was easy or hard to do.... clown!
I really love this movie. While he killed many people that weren’t responsible for what happened, I get the message he was trying to send. And Jamie Fox’s character truly believed that making the deal with Darby was a better outcome than having them both walk free, trying to get Justice and failing would have been a morally better outcome.
I couldn't believe the coincidence at the end of the movie there, Kacee. The movie ends with Gerard Butler on fire. The next thing we saw was the ad for "Man on Fire" pop up briefly. Made me chuckle.
If only this type of thing really happened in real life... ;/ Watching all those criminals getting out of prison in a matter of days/weeks, just to do the same shit over and over again is just... fucked... People at the top really needed some wake up call...
Hey girl shout out from the US Marine Corps! I absolutely love you so much and your movie reactions are awesome! This is the most underrated movie up there with very bad things. You ever want to watch a movie that you like kind of like this that is kind of insane to predict very bad things (Dont read about it!) is a good one. Keep up the great reactions!
Lol perfect example of why supermans disguise with slightly different hair and some glasses would work. "Is that him? No, that isn't him. Oh! Its him!".😅
I still say that it would have been interesting if Clyde had planned on Nick being in the cell with him for the explosion. Like in their last moments, the cell door seals in on both of them, trapping them both inside. Then Clyde says something like, "Sorry Nick, there's no room in this world for guys like us. We deserve death. I wish it wasn't so, but I see no other way.." Then both men are consumed by the flames, not just Clyde.
It's funny to think that Nick was supposed to be the hero who has a redemption arc towards the ending, but Butler's performance along with brilliant writing made us all root for the villain, even if just a little.
I'm glad that you loved it, Kacee. That's my favorite movie by Gerard. By the way, at the end, the stream service recommended Man on Fire with Denzel. Have you seen that? It's amazing! Take care!
The Point of this movie is for prosecution to go for broke and don't be a selfish justice system towards just getting a somewhat win for them and not the victims just by making a deal against the decision of the surviving family members of the victims. Their Crime was treating cases as political stepping stones as a way of saying we never lost a case but the actual victims family does lose the case in getting absolute justice
This film is meant as a critique of what is called in philosophy, "the state of exception." It is also meant as a wider critique of the western liberal justice system in general and how it is quite literally ONLY based on what you can prove in court. So Butler's character Clyde is the embodiment of "the state of exception". He represents a circumstance where the only reasonable way to change it - the only truly moral way to change it, is for the law to circumvent itself, and deals with Clyde in ways that the law would not permit. Clyde is killing people, and they know he's doing it. They don't know how and they can't prove it, but they know. Our system is not equip to handle him and while they waste time trying to deal with him within the bounds of the law, he continues to kill people. Clyde also stands as an extreme mirror situation to what Darby did, which is why he throws the line "it's not what you know, it's what you can prove in court," back at Nick. Darby was an exception as well, where to deal with him adequately in terms of necessary justice, would have required going outside the framework that the law provided - that being that the DNA was allowed to be ruled inadmissible in the first place, and that Clyde's testimony was discounted all because he passed out. The central way the film critiques "the state of exception" is by pointing to the fact that there are effectively lots of circumstances which should be considered exceptions to the rule, but the state, which is granted the power to circumvent itself during those circumstantial exceptions - chooses not to the majority of the time. When the do, it is never about the law or upholding it. The state has a monopoly on two things; violence and justice. When the law finally issues a state of exception, when it finally deems a situation extreme enough to circumvent itself, it is because these two monopolies are threatened. As illustrated in the film, the most common form of this is vigilantism, where both violence and justice are commandeered by individuals who place themselves outside the law to then use violence to deliver justice. Now as we see, it is more often than not this vigilantism that causes the state to step in and declare a state of exception because this vigilantism threatens it's monopoly on violence and justice, it threatens it's overall power of control, the stability of the very pillars that hold up our justice system. The point the film makes is that this vigilantism is in direct response to a circumstance where the state should have originally circumvented itself and would have inexorably made the vigilantism unnecessary. So they wait and wait and wait while Clyde is killing people before they intervene, because he got to s point where he threatened the stability of the pillars that hold up the justice system, by confronting the hypocrisy of those pillars directly. They didn't intervene, and agree to violate Darby's civil rights, because the crime he committed didn't ultimate threaten the power and the perception of power that the justice system wields. As I mentioned before it is also the case that it is a critique of the effectiveness of the western, liberal justice system, which will be much easier to explain because it's a much simpler concept and one that is very relatable, observable, and understandable. First, it's based on legality. If something ain't illegal, you can do it. This invites all sorts of loopholes about how laws are written as well as what laws aren't written at all. It calls into question the effectiveness of holding individuals accountable for things they shouldn't do, despite them being technically legal. Second, it remarks on the irony of upholding such judicial instructions when they hardly work for what they are supposed to in the first place - while pointing to them as some gold standard to deal with something they weren't designed to deal with. In simpler terms, I mean the following: They refused to declare Clyde a state of exception and deal with him accordingly, despite acknowledging it finally at the end and following through. They attempted to not violate his civil rights, to uphold the idea that all are innocent until proven guilty, to deal with a man they knew was guilty regardless of the evidence they could find. This is ironic, considering the failure of adhering to this code of conduct when dealing with everyday situations that are nowhere near as extreme. Why even attempt to adhere to such a conduct, in such an extreme situation, when even in everyday situations - maintaining that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, that even the guilty deserve representation, to not violate anyone's civil rights - still fucking leads to innocent people getting put to death let alone imprisoned for crimes it turns out they didn't commit, as well as the guiltiest of the guilty going free on technicalities? It terms of it's effectiveness, it is also worth acknowledging the absurdity of the idea of treating everyone fairly in their due process. It should stand as a reasonable assessment - that it is in fact UNreasonable, to suggest for example, that someone being accused of stealing and someone being accused of murdering a dozen people deserve to be treated to the same due process. Absolutely fucking not. The idea that someone being accused of theft, should be subjected to the same kind of extreme scrutiny, extreme investigation, extreme punishment, that someone accused of murder is subjected to is absurd. The opposite is true as well, that it is equally absurd that someone accused of murder, should be allowed the same lax and leniency in their due process that someone accused of theft is subjected to. This film is about how the justice system is only flawed and imperfect because we allow it to continue existing in that way, that the state gets to pick and choose when to actually step in and do the necessary thing, the morally right thing instead of the easy or smart thing, and that we are either too lazy, or simply don't actually care about true moral justice, to construct our justice system in some other way. Innocence gets put to death, and the guilty go free anyways, so what is the point of upholding the rules that result in that, in such an extreme example as this? It is a brilliant film and a brilliant examination of the western, liberal justice system.
This is such a great movie. I love how this isn't just some sherlock that goes by the law, but someone who wants to get justice: not what teh system sais is justice, but actual what is right. And then trying to fix the system (that part in a messed up way, but we all get the point)
In Germany they changed the titel in "Gesetz der Rache" (law of revenge). A friend said, that I have to watch this movie, and that the story starts with the massaker on a family. The title, the beginning of the story ... not again! A story written a thousand times! Nearby every second actionmovie in the 80th tells a story like this. At the end I watched it and was really surprised. This thriller is so intelligent and deep. One of the best I've had seen.
I wanted to recommend another movie I just recently watched, "Shot Caller" (2017) starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister from GoT) and Jon Bernthal (Punisher, Walking Dead, and so much else), among many others. Family man makes a mistake and winds up in a California state prison, and once inside it's sink or swim. It's a raw, unmerciful look into parts of the US prison system and what it does to people. The movie actually starts with him being released from prison, and we follow both his struggle to complete a deal he can't back out from, while his time in prison is told in flashbacks. Just a fantastic movie, great performances all around (Nikolaj is terrific!), and a haunting score. The last movie that had me this gripped was Sicario (2015), and that's saying something. o.O Fair warning though, it does picture the heavily racially segregated US prison system where (at least in some prisons) each of the different "races" stick together. With the main character being a white guy, it does mean that the story is told from his POV, with all that that entails. It isn't, at all, that the white guys are portrayed as the good guys, and that the other races are bad. The white guys in this are guilty of committing horrible crimes, it's just.. at least sometimes they and their choices ARE portrayed. I would argue, however, that you could do literally the same movie with a black guy as the main character, or an hispanic, or whatever "race". That just isn't this movie. I first watched this just a few weeks ago, and almost every evening since I've been re-watching some of the most heavy hitting scenes. Now, I don't think a YT reaction to it would net very many views at all, since practically nobody watched the movie in the first place it seems, but maybe watch it your own time (if you have time) and slap the whole thing up on Patreon.
@@dude-man Yeah, I'm not so sure many people outside the US, or inside for that matter, know what a shot caller is - I'm Swedish and I had no clue - and the ones that did know probably went "oh another prison movie, zzz.." Not sure what would have been a good title though.
I love this movie Kacee, great reaction !! one thing, the reason why Clyde took off his clothes in the beginning is so that the police see that he doesnt have a weapon and will most likely not shoot him since they already suspected him of murder lol
I always liked this movie, but was always disappointed at that ending. Was sadden to see later posts in Question AMAs etc, that talked about the few different endings they wanted to do that sounded much better, but ended up having to compromise with this one. One of the endings would've had Jamie Fox's character be arrested for murder, setting him up in the same situation of having to deal with the system. Others were Gerard's character outsmarting Jamie's character to the very end and gets out, letting the antagonist win.
Clyde still got what he wanted, he thought Nick a valuable lesson that he will carry for the rest of his life. The bomb was just an icing on the cake, about Clyde dying, he had no interest on surviving. Clyde only wanted his lesson be learned.
I don’t think he was wrong in the least! I completely approve of everything he did. We need more of it and people like him. The system and society in general is in serious need of a revamp.
On War (Vom Kriege in German) by Carl von Clausewitz based on his studies of Napoleon. Published 1832 and still widely read. "war is the continuation of politics by other means" - Clausewitz.
The original ending was going to have Clyde getting away with everything but Jaime Foxx refused to do the movie unless his character ended up winning in the end, so they changed the script. Honestly Clyde still won. He exposed how corrupt the judicial system is, a system that makes deals and barters with criminals, instead of seeking justice for the victims. A system more concerned with conviction rates than actual fair trials.
The crime reminds me of one I read about, where two strangers entered a home, tied up the man, did the bad stuff to the wife and daughter, and then set them on fire. The man somehow survived, what a horror for everyone in that family. As far as this movie goes, that part of it is real. It happens. The rest of it ... I don't think so. Which is why you do what you can to prevent such things from happening. Nobody is like Liam Neeson in "Taken" who can return a broken family to order. You have to make sure it doesn't happen to start with.
To really enjoy this movie without being pissed by the ending, stop the movie the moment Nick was at the library and said 'I get it Clyde, I get it' ...
This is a heavy movie. You were so ready to go into this blind . The thing about crime thrillers well most of them is that they lead you into a false sense of security.
My favorite revenge movie. I believe Clyde didn't want to live anymore after what happened to his family, but wanted to make a point, something that might help other victims get justice in the future. Being he had the ways and means to do it, he went on his own quest for vengeance to bring down the system that lets people.
I heard the original ending had Clyde win this and they changed it because of Jamie Foxx, not sure exactly what "Clyde wins" would've entailed, would he just flee after everything? would he continue going after the system or bad things punisher style? I certainly think the ending could've been done better, they made Nick seem like a hero at the end in my opinion and that did not sit right with me. Either way great movie though
interesting factL if the ending seems out of place, its because it is. in the original script ckyde won. but jamie fox complained and bitched and moaned because he didn't like the fact his character was outsmarted in the end so to placate to fox they changed it. which is illogical someone like clyde who is objectively a super genius wouldn't have been outsmarted by a mere prosecuter
Well, Nick won. He killed a man out of vengeance and spite, got everyone around him killed because of his ego and still got a promotion. Yes the villain won.
As a person who has always LOVED "revenge" style stories/ moves/ etc. & tend to "side" with the "revenger" (yes, I have a dark side), I absolutely ADORE this movie! The ONLY thing I think was lacking is the ending! (It would have been WAY better if Clyde had succeeded in destroying the Mayor/city council? & got away! Whether he kills Nick or not.) Instead of the typical "Hollywood" style ending.
The actor Christian Stolte that plays the killer in this movie. I met him when I worked security for the tv show Prison Break on the first season in Chicago. He is such a cool dude to meet and talk to
The sad part is, in the original version of the movie, Gerard Butler's character was supposed to win. Jaime Foxx threw a hissy fit until they changed the ending so that his character would win.
V for vendetta! If you haven’t seen it, very morally grey protagonist with a much broader scope than this. It’s still a bit of a revenge story but the protagonist doesn’t make it quite as personal
It's very rare that I ever find a UA-cam channel that I'm very interested in. However I came to find this one and I fell in love. Besides that, what you're watching I have seen countless times. I love that movie with a passion. I was just thinking about the Punisher from watching you and your husband's review. I love the fact these two are relatable, but Frank Castle is small time compared to Clyde Shelton. 🎉
Jamie Foxx's character was wrong from the beginning. He wasn't afraid that Darby and the other guy would go free. He was worried about keeping his win/lose record.
Great movie. They were just afraid to give people the ending we really wanted. We wanted Gerald Butler to win but Jamie Foxx basically refused for that to happen and decided it was best for his character to win. I like Jamie Foxx as an actor but his decision making really ruined the end of this movie. They originally planed for Butler and Foxx to be the opposite character but decided to switch and with the switch Foxx wanted his character to win basically no matter what.
the immortal words of Balalaika from Black Lagoon anime/manga: ~ "Justice, there's no word more loved by the people, and it does have a nice ring to it... , but, without ever exercising your own strength, you seek the death of others, at the hands of someone else, well, the justice you refer to, smells pretty rotten to me, the stench of a blood bath..." Balalaika to Rock in Black Lagoon: ua-cam.com/video/Joxbfm11WAc/v-deo.html
PS... "Chester" is/was Clyde himself, as there's no way some random mystery person would just "happen" to have or be able to get at property/banking information from some specific other country... clearly such specific info in a specific foreign country, was directly from the source of that very info, Clyde himself
PSS... Nick committed murder ("vigilante justice", the exact same as Clyde did with: Ames and Darby, the lawyer of darby, the judge, the AG Jonas, the girl prosecutor, and etc) and got totally away with it (along with other violations of Clyde's civil rights / 4th, 5th, 6th, and etc bill of rights amendments, of the constitution of the united states of america)... just more fkn non-existence of justice of criminals... sighs
I agree with both!! Nick & Clyde. I believe in what we have here in America and still believe in it. Though regarding our Justice system it seems like it started off as something that was made to always being improved upon. To over the years continue to get better and better until it becomes what it was intended to become. Only at some point it was decided by crappy people thinking if we make it to damn good then there won’t be future jobs or future opportunities to make tons of $ if it works to well. That’s why we’re stuck with a system that so many feel and believe is broken when I believe it’s just not finished to the fullest potential was intended to be.
Don't know if anyone has already pointed this out but he killed his cell mate with the steak bone specific so they would put him in solitary confinement so he could secretly come and go as he pleases, sadly his cell mate was just collateral damage
This whole movie is really about the problems and injustices in our system. Clyde was wrong to do some of the things he did. but i think most of us have a hard time not understanding why he did.
Where is Anthony? Would have loved to hear his thoughts on the movie. Edit: Loved your reaction as well. But everyone needs an outlet after watching this movie.
✨ Watch the entire movie with me (uncut) on Patreon: www.patreon.com/doscavazos
Watch " Negotiator" staring Samuel L Jackson
Fracture, Fallen and Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers!
Fracture (2007) (anthony hopkins, ryan gosling) is somehat like this movie, except without all of the "action"... as it is an actual court-law battle within the courtroom (one of the absolute best "chess game" courtroom battles, it makes law and order and etc type of tv shows, such a joke, lol), unlike with this movie, where clyde is doing most of his "genius" outside of the courtroom... laughs
he killed the cell mate so he gets put into Solitary confinement.
And he needed to be there because thats where his tunnels were
.
Everything he did was planned.
it's a good movie and good writing.
@@tanelviil9149 was someone confused about what happened? 🙄
It's not just about the people who killed his family, he's condeming the entire system.
Back then it was so satisfying to see.
Not only in the american justice system things go wrong, european systems are also corrupt.
I don't usually pull for the bad guy, but he was teaching an object lesson here. TRY for justice instead of worrying about your conviction rate. I was pulling for Clyde 100%.
Never seen him as the bad guy here. Just a good guy pushed to do bad things because the system failed to do the right thing.
He did murder that woman with the VBIED. That’s messed up.
He also murdered a bunch of innocent people at the funeral with an RWS.
Imagine the psychological damage of knowing your decisions led to the deaths of all of your friends and coworkers
I never viewed him as the villain. He was just a family man that was failed by the justice system (if we can even call it that) and took matters into his own hands.
Jaime Fox's character deserved to die. He doesn't make deals with killers as he kills someone. His Fox's vengeance is justified but Butler's is condemned for his. That's the one thing I hate about this movie. Letting a killer walk, assaulting a handcuffed prisoner under color of law, and murder. Fox skates and suffers no consequences. Hell, he got a promotion out of it. Fox should have died. Or at least be in prison.
His Lawyer (Nick - Aka Jaime Foxx) didn't want to go to trial in the off chance that he'd lose the case and "tarnish his conviction rate" which is absolutely insane to even imagine there ARE lawyers like that. So, he took a plea deal from Darby to still get his win and maintain his conviction record. Then you saw what Clyde had to say about that lol. Which is why it hit deep when Clyde was talking to Nick after the beating, Nick says "Say I said we take this to trial. We might have lost." and Clyde's response "You didn't care Nick, you didn't even try. You could have walked out of that courtroom with your head held high. I could have lived with that." had they lost the trial, eluding to Nick's only care was for his conviction rate.
Nick might have won the battle, but Clyde definitely won the war. He knew his mission would only end one way sooner or later and he embraced it. He'd already lost everything worth living for in his eyes, he got his vengeance, and he had a message to send, with the one person he needed to understand receiving that message loud and clear, and then he got to go out in a blaze of glory.
really? Nick had to kill him out of vengeance and spite instead of really locking him up for good. Then he just walks off with a promotion. The system is still corrupt and nothing changed.
@@0725038 Eh, I suppose that's fair, though it could be argued that Nick attempted to reason with Clyde to give up and when that failed and Clyde activated the bomb, It was more about Clyde being consumed by his own vengeance than Nick getting his.
Ultimately, though it's Nick saying he doesn't make deals with murderers anymore that declared Clyde as the victor, a pyrrhic victory perhaps, but like I said, he knew this was a suicide mission from the beginning. Sure, Nick was forced to subvert "justice" to end the fight, but it was doing things by the book and caring more about conviction rates and reputation than actually pursuing justice that brought them to this position in the first place.
but he was too smart for how he died. they shouldve had him escape after finding the tunnel. and not being successful in killing the major.
Well, the original ending was for Clyde to win and survive. But Jamie Foxx threw a fit and wouldn't star if he didn't get the ending he wanted.
However, even in this ending Clyde ultimately proved his point and won because Nick had to diverge from the legal system to win, committing crimes and killing Clyde. Kinda "The Dark Knight" type ending with Harvey Dent.
@@S1D3W1ND3R015I don't know if this is true but you seem to be spreading it around a lot but I already said my piece has to. I think that would have been a bad ending anyway if Clyde had lived.
This is kind of like the joker and the dark Knight movie. The joker dying doesn't matter as long as Harvey dent or Batman is the one who kills him because that's the point he was trying to make.
Clyde's point was basically you can't go by the justice system. Step by step if you want to get true justice. The justice system has too many loopholes for people to exploit. As soon as Clyde started yelling at the female judge it was super obvious what the point he was trying to make. And if you take that point and you look at the rest of the movie you will realize that. Nick did exactly what Clyde would have done in that situation. Nick just did it in his own way. He didn't directly kill Clyde himself but he did sick like up to die as the solution to a problem that the legal system couldn't stop.
The reason why he was naked for when the cops came was to show that he wasn't a threat considering that he patiently cut a man into 26 pieces. Cops probably would've been told to shoot on sight. Any clothes he could've worn may have hidden any weapons or potential explosives.
"Shoot on sight" means they would have shot him upon entry. They were probably told he was considered armed and dangerous. So him being naked helped them to see he wasn't armed.
He was naked because he was showing them who had the bigger balls to do what was right.
@@KHAOE1this is the headcanon now
I love this movie, it is incredible. The Judge and her cellphone is probably one of the most shocking deaths I have seen in a film. Incredible.
The look on Kaycee's face was priceless!
That was definitely a "HOLY SH*T!!!" moment, completely out of left field!
The Israeli Mossad actually have done that to people. The first instance was in 1996, against bomb-maker Yahya Ayyash, who got given a burner phone that destroyed his brain via a directional explosive. The worst part is, the phone is the exact same weight and works as the charge is small enough to fit alongside the existing components. It's a really small explosive, as the ear canal leads to a weak point in the skull.
@@theprogressivecynic2407 It also didn't even damage his hand. Just blew his head off.
Screamer
It's a fun movie with an important lesson.
The irony is how the "Justice System" is way worse now than the way it was portrayed in the movie.
At least in the U.S., it is because the court of public opinion has gained so much power that it actually sways the court of justice in many cases nowadays. Doing this to an already flawed and inefficient system gives us what we have now. I give it another 15 years before we operate like China only we will completely replace the legal system with a public social credit system based on the court of public opinion. That said, statistically, a lot of problems and injustices are because people don't actually make it to court, they get scared into talking to the police and cutting a deal on the terms of the DA office without proper representation, two things you never do.
Allot of those documentaries and youtube videos you watch where the guy never did the crime but still got 20 years or something crazy like that, it was because they were probably being threatened by either the police or DA office or both with a life sentence or even death penalty depending on the state and the prosecutor/cops were lying(which in the U.S. they can legally do) about the evidence they have so the accused cut the 20 year deal reasoning it was the better option. Ignorance isn't bliss, it is painful, sometimes deadly, and certainly unfair.
Always ask for a lawyer(its free and your constitutional right so might as well) and then exercise your right to remain silent until they arrive, without exception.
@joshbull623 US justice sytem needs to stop televising every single case.
More specifically cases that involve serious crimes, should not be televised.
And any cases that are televised, shouldnt be released to the public till after it all said and done, therefore public opinion has a harder time swaying the justice system.
Two lines in this movie always make me giggle like a child..."That's what wrenches ate for dumb ass" and "Its gonna be Biblical". Hilarious. This is a great movie
This is a fantastic movie. It's a great depiction of how flawed the justice system is and how it can screw people over. Clyde watched the man who killed his family get off scott free while his accomplice(who was really only guilty of B&E)was executed. He chose to take matters into his own hands and teach a lesson about justice vs conviction rate. His lesson was stop worrying about getting the conviction and actually try to ensure that justice is served correctly. His actions were extreme and illegal, but his point was clearly made.
legality only applies if the system in place to enforce and decide laws works.
the system is broken so all kinds of legislation and national laws are out of the window at this point, primal law is the only law that matters anymore.
eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, anyone involved in the crime in anyway shares the punishment of the criminal who commited it. human rights only apply to good people not pond scum criminals.
@2khotshot I completely agree. In an ideal world, that would make perfect sense. Of course, in an ideal world, we wouldn't have pond scum criminals, kinda making the point moot.
Good film, horrible ending😂 nick didn't learn the lesson he was being taught. Both characters could've won. We didn't see Nick have character development. We could've seen him make the transformation by someone telling him that they have almost zero chance to win If he takes it to trial but he says "I'd rather try and walk out with my head held high." Clyde would've still went out in his blaze of glory. Idk I'm not a writer 😂
"Lessons not learned in blood are soon forgotten."
Saw this when it came out. The Judge scene a man behind me shouted, "JAH!" Fracture is also a good one, came out around the same time.
You're wrong, he wasn't trying to blame the world he was simply exposing our overly flawed judicial system
It’s not flawed though, everyone has rights.
@@jbc_8110you are one incredibly ignorant and privileged person to say that. You're not intelligent enough for this conversation
@@jbc_8110 oh you naive little kid
@@slowodanx prove me wrong or shut up
@@jbc_8110 That is what is flawed. People like Darby shouldn't have any rights.
This is one of my FAVORITE movies!!!! 😁
“it’s not about what you know, it’s what you can prove in court” 🔥
I have never wanted the "bad guy" to win this badly in a movie before. I wanted him to succeed and bring it all down.
As a man there is nothing I fear more than what clyde went through
FUN FACT: Clyde was meant to win in the end. But, Jamie Foxx didnt like not winning and got the director to change the script for the end. A lot of folks love this movie, love this story, but hate the ending
I took the end as Clyde wanting to die. Why else would he make it easy to find the bomb when everything thing else he did was so well thought out?
I can totally believe that..
well jamie foxx is a selfish egodriven thundercunt. Fits him perfectly.
@@topherbec7578 You're not wrong. He had nothing to lose. But at the same time, if the ending was shoehorned by Foxx, they probably just made it that way to try and keep it coherent. All of the careful planning and he trips at the finish line? He was a man on a mission. Orchestrated all those deaths. But a two-second dig into corporate accounts fells him? It's such a glaring oversight for a guy who spent 10 years digging INTO prison and being always two steps ahead of everybody else.
Yeah, unhinged psycho getting away with murders would have been a great ending. Maybe they should have given Clyde a trophy at the end as well for being morally superior than others.
Clyde still won no matter how things turned out. Nick was promoted to a position of power and now he has had the lessons Clyde pounded into his very soul. Clyde isn't the hero we deserved, but he is the hero we needed.
We need a person who is Clyde and The Punisher in one, skilled engineering tactician and weapon master. Someone who can bring down the whole government system to pieces and destroy every politician(because at this point i believe that there is not non-corrupt politician on the world). The mighty of this world should know fear.
@@Gylaranstay off the internet, you watch too many movie.
@@knell18897 Unlike you i am an adult and actually live my life, that brings many experiences. When you grow up you will understand what is happening around you. (or are you a Zelensky supporter? That would be way worse than being a child but it would make a perfect sense why you answered like this)
I dont think so, he still killed a man out of vengeance and spite, yet he's not in jail, but even got a promotion.
@@Gylaran you claimed you are an adult yet you act like short temper children. Where is this Zelensky even coming from ? projecting much ?
And no adult assuming anyone they meet on the internet is a child either, it's weird.
I'm not old but I have been around, long enough to see that generalizing a group of people base on actions of the few and media is not a healthy mindset. If you actually live your life like you claimed to be then you would know that everything is not black and white.
Not going to lie. I 100% understand.
Man lost *everything* and watched the main guy behind that just walk free after only spending a little time in the naughty corner. That's more than enough to push a man past the breaking point, and in this case, that man just so happened to be a militarized engineer.
Clyde did nothing wrong period. These lawyers and judges are guilty in the same way people are complacent in crimes by not reporting them.
But he got a nice promotion though..lol
It isn't always about complacency, sometimes it is about fear and survival. Whether it be a cop that reports another cop then is found left out to dry in the field to die without backup because no one wants to support what they see as a rat or on rare occasion the cop be outright killed by the corrupt cops directly or because of dumb ass laws like in CA and NY that allows the accused to gain access to personal information on the accusers and to do what we saw in this video where they use another loophole to get released on bail then like multiple NYC gangs have done use that info and freedom to track down the trial witnesses o or in some cases the person who simply called in the crime to police but isn't necessarily testifying and then kill them so that only a single gang member(the one that kills the witness/reporter) to jail instead of multiple members; in todays world, especially the half a dozen dumb ass states that think they are "progressive", I wouldn't report shyt either for my families sake more than even just my own.
The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled that police have no specific obligation to protect. In its 1989 decision in DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services, the justices ruled that a social services department had no duty to protect a young boy from his abusive father either. So when you look it up and see that in most states, mere failure to report a crime isn't a crime in itself, it isn't very surprising. Courts are set up one way nowadays and it is the same as everything else in the U.S., to make money, until that changes I think it is irresponsible for people to put their lives in the hands of the system if they have an opportunity to avoid doing so altogether.
We live in an age of government and private security cameras on every other street, traffic cams everywhere, law enforcement and security drones, private drones, more satellites and satellite access for law enforcement than ever before, to hell with risking your life reporting anything. Through stupidity in voting, we as a society agreed to give up more freedom for more security, lets at least enjoy the fruits of that since we can't go back, one of those fruits in less need to get involved and not risking your hide.
see some psychiatrist man. even clyde would say he is wrong. he is extrimist...
This is one of those movies a good guy is actually a bad guy, but he’s being bad for the right reasons and you’re rooting for him all the way to the end
Speak for yourself. I wasn't rooting for the psycho. When he was killing directly involved in his family's murder case I could understand that. But then he started killing people who were not involved just to make a point.
@@azazello1784 So what you are saying, is someone raped and killed your entire family you wouldn’t go and seek your own justice. You’re a very shallow individual my friend
@@azazello1784that's why you missed the point.
I was on Gerard Butler's side the entire time in this movie lol.
So glad you watched this movie. Ever since I watched it, it has remained in my top 5 movies of all time......its so gripping and intriguing.
Fun Fact: When they were sent the scripts both Gerard Bulter and Jamie Fox were writting and considered for the other role.....but both of the individually said they wanted to play what they are now. Honestly a super good call. I just can't imagine Jamie Foxx as Clyde.
The film isn't about the justice system being flawed, its about the justice system not being about justice. Trying for justice and failing is acceptable, no system can be perfect but the attempt is what matters. Clyde says he could of lived with that quite clearly, he probably would of killed Darby but it would of ended with that. His war was about the justice system being a career engine for lawyers to make millions of the suffering of others, rather than trying for justice. Fox's character was a hot shot, future DA, and he didn't give one damn about justice, he wanted his career record. Ignoring what his career is about, the pursuit of justice, and that's the real crime Clyde wanted to avenge. Killing the people who wronged him was the easy part, he wanted future victims to have someone try to get them justice.
Gerrard Butler's character in this movie is the most relatable protagonist in movie history. Everyone he punishes deserves to be punished and he exposes the Law system for the corrupt charade that it is. The only bad thing, was that the bad guy, Jamie Foxx's character, gets away in the Hollywood ending.
After watching it for the 4th of 5th time, I actually kind of like the ending. Clyde was trying to make a point and show that the system is corrupt. That right and wrong is clear. Nick has the scene where he says that "he gets it" and breaks Clyde's civil rights by breaking into his property. Lastly, Rice has to basically murder Clyde without a proper trial. Rice had to break all the rules and go against what he stood for to win, which makes Clyde the winner. Kind of like when Brad Pitt's character kills Kevin Spacey's character in Seven. Spacey dies, but he won by breaking Pitt's character.
@@xcmvp2007all the slow people don't send to understand this. Honestly, I understood that this was the point as soon as Clyde berated the female judge for giving him bail. Should have been the huge red flag to tell everybody what Clyde's point was. But most people in this comment section seems to let that fly over their head.
10:13 Since I don't see anybody else answering this, the reason he took his clothes off, is because of military SOP; if military or police _know_ their target is armed and dangerous, the only time they take them alive, is if they're laying on their stomach, naked. Otherwise, they might have a weapon, or even a bomb, concealed on their person. Clyde took his clothes off, because he was aware of this fact.
Fun Fact: The director of this film (F. Gary Gray) also directed the 1st "Friday" movie starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. He also directed Straight Outta Compton, Set It Off and The Italian Job amongst others.
And “The Fate Of The Furious” (2017) and “MIB: International” (2019).
The crystal clear cinematography and superb lighting make effective use of aerial views of the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia). The movie proceeds at a rivetingly brisk pace and never lets up on the accelerator.
You guys are cranking out the content, love it.
It's not too hard is it ? You watch a movie, record your face and upload it on youtube. You talk as if it's @NigaHiga level of creative work.
@@SignalFlowers prove it! Point out where i implied anything like that. They started putting out more videos, i said i liked it. Where did i say i thought it was easy or hard to do.... clown!
This was my first introduction to Gerald Butler. Amazing movie. Never get tired of watching it.
I really love this movie. While he killed many people that weren’t responsible for what happened, I get the message he was trying to send. And Jamie Fox’s character truly believed that making the deal with Darby was a better outcome than having them both walk free, trying to get Justice and failing would have been a morally better outcome.
I mean, it led to every single death in this movie...
I couldn't believe the coincidence at the end of the movie there, Kacee. The movie ends with Gerard Butler on fire. The next thing we saw was the ad for "Man on Fire" pop up briefly. Made me chuckle.
If only this type of thing really happened in real life... ;/ Watching all those criminals getting out of prison in a matter of days/weeks, just to do the same shit over and over again is just... fucked... People at the top really needed some wake up call...
Hey girl shout out from the US Marine Corps! I absolutely love you so much and your movie reactions are awesome! This is the most underrated movie up there with very bad things. You ever want to watch a movie that you like kind of like this that is kind of insane to predict very bad things (Dont read about it!) is a good one. Keep up the great reactions!
Lol perfect example of why supermans disguise with slightly different hair and some glasses would work. "Is that him? No, that isn't him. Oh! Its him!".😅
I still say that it would have been interesting if Clyde had planned on Nick being in the cell with him for the explosion. Like in their last moments, the cell door seals in on both of them, trapping them both inside. Then Clyde says something like, "Sorry Nick, there's no room in this world for guys like us. We deserve death. I wish it wasn't so, but I see no other way.." Then both men are consumed by the flames, not just Clyde.
It's funny to think that Nick was supposed to be the hero who has a redemption arc towards the ending, but Butler's performance along with brilliant writing made us all root for the villain, even if just a little.
I'm glad that you loved it, Kacee.
That's my favorite movie by Gerard.
By the way, at the end, the stream service recommended Man on Fire with Denzel. Have you seen that? It's amazing! Take care!
Clyde was supposed to win, but Jamie Foxx didn't want his character to lose. They changed the ending for him.
The Point of this movie is for prosecution to go for broke and don't be a selfish justice system towards just getting a somewhat win for them and not the victims just by making a deal against the decision of the surviving family members of the victims. Their Crime was treating cases as political stepping stones as a way of saying we never lost a case but the actual victims family does lose the case in getting absolute justice
Yet, Nick killed a man out of vengeance and spite, yet comes out of this with a promotion. Clyde changed nothing.
@@0725038he got piece of mind knowing the perpetrators suffered to the full extent.
He dropped trow to ensure the cops didn't mistakenly shoot him before he could execute the rest of his plan.
This film is meant as a critique of what is called in philosophy, "the state of exception." It is also meant as a wider critique of the western liberal justice system in general and how it is quite literally ONLY based on what you can prove in court. So Butler's character Clyde is the embodiment of "the state of exception". He represents a circumstance where the only reasonable way to change it - the only truly moral way to change it, is for the law to circumvent itself, and deals with Clyde in ways that the law would not permit.
Clyde is killing people, and they know he's doing it. They don't know how and they can't prove it, but they know. Our system is not equip to handle him and while they waste time trying to deal with him within the bounds of the law, he continues to kill people. Clyde also stands as an extreme mirror situation to what Darby did, which is why he throws the line "it's not what you know, it's what you can prove in court," back at Nick. Darby was an exception as well, where to deal with him adequately in terms of necessary justice, would have required going outside the framework that the law provided - that being that the DNA was allowed to be ruled inadmissible in the first place, and that Clyde's testimony was discounted all because he passed out.
The central way the film critiques "the state of exception" is by pointing to the fact that there are effectively lots of circumstances which should be considered exceptions to the rule, but the state, which is granted the power to circumvent itself during those circumstantial exceptions - chooses not to the majority of the time. When the do, it is never about the law or upholding it. The state has a monopoly on two things; violence and justice. When the law finally issues a state of exception, when it finally deems a situation extreme enough to circumvent itself, it is because these two monopolies are threatened. As illustrated in the film, the most common form of this is vigilantism, where both violence and justice are commandeered by individuals who place themselves outside the law to then use violence to deliver justice.
Now as we see, it is more often than not this vigilantism that causes the state to step in and declare a state of exception because this vigilantism threatens it's monopoly on violence and justice, it threatens it's overall power of control, the stability of the very pillars that hold up our justice system. The point the film makes is that this vigilantism is in direct response to a circumstance where the state should have originally circumvented itself and would have inexorably made the vigilantism unnecessary. So they wait and wait and wait while Clyde is killing people before they intervene, because he got to s point where he threatened the stability of the pillars that hold up the justice system, by confronting the hypocrisy of those pillars directly. They didn't intervene, and agree to violate Darby's civil rights, because the crime he committed didn't ultimate threaten the power and the perception of power that the justice system wields.
As I mentioned before it is also the case that it is a critique of the effectiveness of the western, liberal justice system, which will be much easier to explain because it's a much simpler concept and one that is very relatable, observable, and understandable. First, it's based on legality. If something ain't illegal, you can do it. This invites all sorts of loopholes about how laws are written as well as what laws aren't written at all. It calls into question the effectiveness of holding individuals accountable for things they shouldn't do, despite them being technically legal. Second, it remarks on the irony of upholding such judicial instructions when they hardly work for what they are supposed to in the first place - while pointing to them as some gold standard to deal with something they weren't designed to deal with. In simpler terms, I mean the following:
They refused to declare Clyde a state of exception and deal with him accordingly, despite acknowledging it finally at the end and following through. They attempted to not violate his civil rights, to uphold the idea that all are innocent until proven guilty, to deal with a man they knew was guilty regardless of the evidence they could find. This is ironic, considering the failure of adhering to this code of conduct when dealing with everyday situations that are nowhere near as extreme. Why even attempt to adhere to such a conduct, in such an extreme situation, when even in everyday situations - maintaining that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, that even the guilty deserve representation, to not violate anyone's civil rights - still fucking leads to innocent people getting put to death let alone imprisoned for crimes it turns out they didn't commit, as well as the guiltiest of the guilty going free on technicalities?
It terms of it's effectiveness, it is also worth acknowledging the absurdity of the idea of treating everyone fairly in their due process. It should stand as a reasonable assessment - that it is in fact UNreasonable, to suggest for example, that someone being accused of stealing and someone being accused of murdering a dozen people deserve to be treated to the same due process. Absolutely fucking not. The idea that someone being accused of theft, should be subjected to the same kind of extreme scrutiny, extreme investigation, extreme punishment, that someone accused of murder is subjected to is absurd. The opposite is true as well, that it is equally absurd that someone accused of murder, should be allowed the same lax and leniency in their due process that someone accused of theft is subjected to.
This film is about how the justice system is only flawed and imperfect because we allow it to continue existing in that way, that the state gets to pick and choose when to actually step in and do the necessary thing, the morally right thing instead of the easy or smart thing, and that we are either too lazy, or simply don't actually care about true moral justice, to construct our justice system in some other way. Innocence gets put to death, and the guilty go free anyways, so what is the point of upholding the rules that result in that, in such an extreme example as this? It is a brilliant film and a brilliant examination of the western, liberal justice system.
This is such a great movie. I love how this isn't just some sherlock that goes by the law, but someone who wants to get justice: not what teh system sais is justice, but actual what is right. And then trying to fix the system (that part in a messed up way, but we all get the point)
In Germany they changed the titel in "Gesetz der Rache" (law of revenge). A friend said, that I have to watch this movie, and that the story starts with the massaker on a family. The title, the beginning of the story ... not again! A story written a thousand times! Nearby every second actionmovie in the 80th tells a story like this. At the end I watched it and was really surprised. This thriller is so intelligent and deep. One of the best I've had seen.
I wanted to recommend another movie I just recently watched, "Shot Caller" (2017) starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister from GoT) and Jon Bernthal (Punisher, Walking Dead, and so much else), among many others. Family man makes a mistake and winds up in a California state prison, and once inside it's sink or swim. It's a raw, unmerciful look into parts of the US prison system and what it does to people. The movie actually starts with him being released from prison, and we follow both his struggle to complete a deal he can't back out from, while his time in prison is told in flashbacks. Just a fantastic movie, great performances all around (Nikolaj is terrific!), and a haunting score. The last movie that had me this gripped was Sicario (2015), and that's saying something. o.O
Fair warning though, it does picture the heavily racially segregated US prison system where (at least in some prisons) each of the different "races" stick together. With the main character being a white guy, it does mean that the story is told from his POV, with all that that entails.
It isn't, at all, that the white guys are portrayed as the good guys, and that the other races are bad. The white guys in this are guilty of committing horrible crimes, it's just.. at least sometimes they and their choices ARE portrayed. I would argue, however, that you could do literally the same movie with a black guy as the main character, or an hispanic, or whatever "race". That just isn't this movie.
I first watched this just a few weeks ago, and almost every evening since I've been re-watching some of the most heavy hitting scenes.
Now, I don't think a YT reaction to it would net very many views at all, since practically nobody watched the movie in the first place it seems, but maybe watch it your own time (if you have time) and slap the whole thing up on Patreon.
Yeah good film, bad title
@@dude-man Yeah, I'm not so sure many people outside the US, or inside for that matter, know what a shot caller is - I'm Swedish and I had no clue - and the ones that did know probably went "oh another prison movie, zzz.."
Not sure what would have been a good title though.
If prosecution took it to trial amd lost, Clyde would have been happy for them to try.he would have only went after the 2 who killed his family.
The thing that is impressive is that if they didn't break the law and violated his rights,
they would've never stopped him
That was crazy! Thanks for the reaction!
I love this movie Kacee, great reaction !! one thing, the reason why Clyde took off his clothes in the beginning is so that the police see that he doesnt have a weapon and will most likely not shoot him since they already suspected him of murder lol
The guy who plays the killer at the beginning of the film ended up in Chicago Fire where he played the nicest guy ever such a good actor
I always liked this movie, but was always disappointed at that ending. Was sadden to see later posts in Question AMAs etc, that talked about the few different endings they wanted to do that sounded much better, but ended up having to compromise with this one. One of the endings would've had Jamie Fox's character be arrested for murder, setting him up in the same situation of having to deal with the system. Others were Gerard's character outsmarting Jamie's character to the very end and gets out, letting the antagonist win.
Clyde still got what he wanted, he thought Nick a valuable lesson that he will carry for the rest of his life. The bomb was just an icing on the cake, about Clyde dying, he had no interest on surviving. Clyde only wanted his lesson be learned.
I don’t think he was wrong in the least! I completely approve of everything he did. We need more of it and people like him. The system and society in general is in serious need of a revamp.
I agree wholeheartedly, but when would you know it's been revamped?
On War (Vom Kriege in German) by Carl von Clausewitz
based on his studies of Napoleon. Published 1832 and still widely read.
"war is the continuation of politics by other means" - Clausewitz.
The original ending was going to have Clyde getting away with everything but Jaime Foxx refused to do the movie unless his character ended up winning in the end, so they changed the script. Honestly Clyde still won. He exposed how corrupt the judicial system is, a system that makes deals and barters with criminals, instead of seeking justice for the victims. A system more concerned with conviction rates than actual fair trials.
The crime reminds me of one I read about, where two strangers entered a home, tied up the man, did the bad stuff to the wife and daughter, and then set them on fire. The man somehow survived, what a horror for everyone in that family. As far as this movie goes, that part of it is real. It happens. The rest of it ... I don't think so. Which is why you do what you can to prevent such things from happening. Nobody is like Liam Neeson in "Taken" who can return a broken family to order. You have to make sure it doesn't happen to start with.
He took his clothes off so that they could see he had no weapons and they wouldn't kill him
I fucking LOVE this movie, like... SERIOUSLY!
To really enjoy this movie without being pissed by the ending, stop the movie the moment Nick was at the library and said 'I get it Clyde, I get it' ...
This is a heavy movie. You were so ready to go into this blind . The thing about crime thrillers well most of them is that they lead you into a false sense of security.
My favorite revenge movie. I believe Clyde didn't want to live anymore after what happened to his family, but wanted to make a point, something that might help other victims get justice in the future. Being he had the ways and means to do it, he went on his own quest for vengeance to bring down the system that lets people.
Flight: Denzel Washington at his very best. He definitely should have won an oscar foe this one.
I heard the original ending had Clyde win this and they changed it because of Jamie Foxx, not sure exactly what "Clyde wins" would've entailed, would he just flee after everything? would he continue going after the system or bad things punisher style? I certainly think the ending could've been done better, they made Nick seem like a hero at the end in my opinion and that did not sit right with me. Either way great movie though
You are very sharp, congrats. The story just cuts like a knife. The performances are perfect. Justice on trial.
interesting factL if the ending seems out of place, its because it is. in the original script ckyde won. but jamie fox complained and bitched and moaned because he didn't like the fact his character was outsmarted in the end so to placate to fox they changed it.
which is illogical someone like clyde who is objectively a super genius wouldn't have been outsmarted by a mere prosecuter
Sounds about right. I only liked Jamie Foxx in 1 movie. Horrible Bosses
I always considered Jamie Foxx the antagonist in this movie. Hated the ending for that.
the fact that the law had to resort to breaking the law to get things done is very telling
I love this flick. On days when I truly believe the world is messed, I watch this and feel a bit better. 😂
I still can't decide if this movie or Se7en shocked me more the first time. Feels like a 50/50.
In a corrupt system anyone can get away with anything.
I always enjoy when the villain wins. Especially when he's right. One of my favorite movies.
Well, Nick won. He killed a man out of vengeance and spite, got everyone around him killed because of his ego and still got a promotion. Yes the villain won.
There are three villains in this movie. The two home invaders and Nick. Nick gets off scott free.
actually just started watching this one but stopped partway. now your reaction is inspiring me to finish watching it. 😄
Finally, someone mentions the Porterhouse choice. 🎉
"Oh No! He's a Janitor!"
Lmao
As a person who has always LOVED "revenge" style stories/ moves/ etc. & tend to "side" with the "revenger" (yes, I have a dark side), I absolutely ADORE this movie!
The ONLY thing I think was lacking is the ending! (It would have been WAY better if Clyde had succeeded in destroying the Mayor/city council? & got away! Whether he kills Nick or not.) Instead of the typical "Hollywood" style ending.
The actor Christian Stolte that plays the killer in this movie. I met him when I worked security for the tv show Prison Break on the first season in Chicago. He is such a cool dude to meet and talk to
A man who loses everything, is capable of anything. a second theme to the movie
The sad part is, in the original version of the movie, Gerard Butler's character was supposed to win. Jaime Foxx threw a hissy fit until they changed the ending so that his character would win.
Define win? Murder everyone and be released from prison for being such a morally superior individual?
2:57 - "I feel like he's going to do something, you know, like seek retribution in some form"
Us - "Uh...yeah"
This movie freaking rocks. You're in for a good one!
Holy shit what a movie to start watching with no information. 20:46 I cant stop laughing, this is exactly what I meant
This movie blew me away too when it was released.
Man on Fire being the suggested movie is just hilarious after the ending of Law Abiding Citizen
V for vendetta! If you haven’t seen it, very morally grey protagonist with a much broader scope than this. It’s still a bit of a revenge story but the protagonist doesn’t make it quite as personal
It's very rare that I ever find a UA-cam channel that I'm very interested in. However I came to find this one and I fell in love. Besides that, what you're watching I have seen countless times. I love that movie with a passion. I was just thinking about the Punisher from watching you and your husband's review. I love the fact these two are relatable, but Frank Castle is small time compared to Clyde Shelton. 🎉
Such a good one, I also went into this with no expectations
Jamie Foxx's character was wrong from the beginning. He wasn't afraid that Darby and the other guy would go free. He was worried about keeping his win/lose record.
King Leonidas going beast mode.😂
When Butler and Foxx read the script the first time they decided to switch characters.
Loved the reaction keep'em coming. Side note you look remarkably similar to the actress that played Jessica on true blood
Honestly, rooted for him the entire time. To bad it ends so lackluster.
I loved watching this movie with you girl. Thank you so much! Blessings dear Lady!!!
Great movie. They were just afraid to give people the ending we really wanted. We wanted Gerald Butler to win but Jamie Foxx basically refused for that to happen and decided it was best for his character to win. I like Jamie Foxx as an actor but his decision making really ruined the end of this movie. They originally planed for Butler and Foxx to be the opposite character but decided to switch and with the switch Foxx wanted his character to win basically no matter what.
If you want to see what a man is capable of.... take away from him, everything that he loves.... everything that he would want to live for.
He could have found new things to live for like video games or sports.
He took his clothes off to make sure he didn't get shot by a trigger happy cop, showing them he had no weapons on him.
the immortal words of Balalaika from Black Lagoon anime/manga:
~ "Justice, there's no word more loved by the people, and it does have a nice ring to it... , but, without ever exercising your own strength, you seek the death of others, at the hands of someone else, well, the justice you refer to, smells pretty rotten to me, the stench of a blood bath..."
Balalaika to Rock in Black Lagoon: ua-cam.com/video/Joxbfm11WAc/v-deo.html
PS...
"Chester" is/was Clyde himself, as there's no way some random mystery person would just "happen" to have or be able to get at property/banking information from some specific other country... clearly such specific info in a specific foreign country, was directly from the source of that very info, Clyde himself
PSS...
Nick committed murder ("vigilante justice", the exact same as Clyde did with: Ames and Darby, the lawyer of darby, the judge, the AG Jonas, the girl prosecutor, and etc) and got totally away with it (along with other violations of Clyde's civil rights / 4th, 5th, 6th, and etc bill of rights amendments, of the constitution of the united states of america)... just more fkn non-existence of justice of criminals... sighs
Ok, great f'n movie and reaction!
Now, that lil "Man on fire" that peaked it's head at the end of this IS A MUST SEE!!!!!!
I agree with both!! Nick & Clyde. I believe in what we have here in America and still believe in it. Though regarding our Justice system it seems like it started off as something that was made to always being improved upon. To over the years continue to get better and better until it becomes what it was intended to become. Only at some point it was decided by crappy people thinking if we make it to damn good then there won’t be future jobs or future opportunities to make tons of $ if it works to well. That’s why we’re stuck with a system that so many feel and believe is broken when I believe it’s just not finished to the fullest potential was intended to be.
Don't know if anyone has already pointed this out but he killed his cell mate with the steak bone specific so they would put him in solitary confinement so he could secretly come and go as he pleases, sadly his cell mate was just collateral damage
This whole movie is really about the problems and injustices in our system. Clyde was wrong to do some of the things he did. but i think most of us have a hard time not understanding why he did.
Where is Anthony? Would have loved to hear his thoughts on the movie.
Edit: Loved your reaction as well. But everyone needs an outlet after watching this movie.
He had already seen this movie in theaters when it came out. He was the one that actually suggested I watch it! :)