Shooters (2002) Reviews

• Shooters Redeemed by Actors

  spiffyish2004-02-25

  Shooters might have been condemned to be a mediocre movie if not for a few telling items. The atmosphere, scenery, and outstanding actors redeem this film. Shooters isn't a movie to go to, if you're looking for something flashy. Instead Shooters gives a dreary look into the life of two gangsters. The atmosphere is exactly what it should be. It carries you with J (Andrew Howard) and Gilly (Louis Dempsey), forcing you to the building sense of everything losing control. The gritty, true-to-life feel is somewhat lost at the end--leaving a feeling of shock or anti-climax. Still, it is a much better film than many give it credit for. As previously stated, the actors are superb. Particularly, Andrew Howard as J was a powerful character. Howard is what really propels the story along. Poor Dempsey (Gilly) seems dull and lack-luster compared to Howard's dynamic acting. Also noteworthy would be Gerard Butler (Jackie Jr), Matthew Rhys (Eddie), and Adrian Dunbar (Max Dunbar). Shooters is worth your time, if you're looking for something that doesn't rely on special effects to keep hold of it's audience's attention. Andrew Howard is definitely an actor to keep an eye on.

• Very strange but good

  indigo012003-09-11

  This movie was very strange in some ways, but generally pretty good. The relationship between J and Gilly (and the things Gilly seemed to allow) was quite believable. Dunbar was quite chilling (he's almost always good). Prepare to shake your head at some of the more extreme directing choices but pay attention to the performances for some small, but key players: Jamie Sweeney as J's kid brother, Gerard Butler as a psycho bad guy (his first) and Melanie Lynskey as J's wife are all among the best things in the movie. It is well worth watching if you enjoy the British style of violence and humor from such movies as The Krays or Snatch.

• Liked it better than lock stock

  maxyl212006-04-01

  OK, I admit: I am a fan girl. I will watch any movie with Ioan Gruffodd and/or Gerard Butler in it, even if it is a dark, low budget, depressing indie flick. So when I sat down to watch this, I solely intended to ogle my two boys and leave the rest of the movie to the elitist film critics. But the end of it, I was transfixed by the reality of it all. Unlike so many American films, there are no heroes with chiseled jaws who are impenetrable to bullets. Everyone is equally flawed, and everyone is equally endangered. I know, I'm a stupid American fan girl, and as such, not a reliable source, but it ranks on my top list films overall. Not just Brit films. Lock Stock isn't close.

• low budget, high ambitions.

  langstar12003-12-04

  A Brittish gangster movie. The actors chew scenery and the amazing locations help the mood achieve the tone it hopes for. Its a dark and dreary tale told with a kinetic sense of energy. Despite the lacking budget you feel like this is actually happening. Its probably the performances that truly hold it together. Great small role by Gerard Butler as the f**ing nuts supplier. Dempsey is great as well and he plays the role as if its not even acting. Its just Dempsey playing Dempsey. Anyway. The film follows a man recently out of jail who gets back in with his shady friends. his friend j immediately gets him involved in a guns deal and as expected nothing is as it seems. The movie is great and it just does well at what you expect. Well made and likable characters. 7/10

• Important view on the film... Read before putting your own opinion!

  danny_ferrari2003-07-28

  Shooters is one of many pure British gangster films that are flooding today's movie channels on TV. It is a dark, twisted film that should be taken seriously, even if the movie itself is not to your ideal taste. It is accurate at portraying examples of particular events that might occur if the desperate underground life of English, Welsh and Irish mobsters were revealed to the world. Shooters follows a 'coke-snorting' Welsh gangster who is undergoing a series of different pressures from different aspects of his life including his wife, police and of course the gang leaders... I advise anyone who is interested in this genre of film to watch and understand, so one can form their own views on the state of British life on the 'other' side...