Panzehir (2014) Reviews

• An astonishing surprise from Istanbul

  BrianClarkLeicester2014-05-16

  Having watched this film in France due to a freak coincidence I believe I have found a new favorite of mine. You wouldn't expect Turkey to create such a compelling film. This is not because of their talent but rather because of their financial inclinations for "slapstick" and "melodramatic" films which saturate their market. Trapped between art-house films and low-quality populist junk, "Antidote" is an astonishingly ambitious and powerful criminal action drama. The likes of which only really exist in Korea or in very early Scorsese grit. Kadir, a jaded hit-man who is stubbornly loyal to his machiavellian foster father and mob boss Cemal is a Shakespearean figure of tragedy and circumstance. The details surrounding his molding into a consummate killer go back nearly 40 years to when Turkey was transitioning from a mainly rural, isolationist economy to a rising regional power. Although this film is formed in a "comic book" manner, where the characters are only briefly detailed they create a great appetite for the viewer. You simply want to know *more* about these well sculpted criminals and evil men. With epic shots of Istanbul as a cold and unforgiving megacity, well crafted camera blocking and an American taste in editing and colors; the director and producers have managed to craft something unique and gripping with the limited means they must have had compared to Hollywood. This show ingenuity and initiative and it's the sort of thing that makes Hollywood grab talent from European countries with very limited film economies. Sure there are some rough edges and post- production shortcuts taken, but those are minor issues. Everything from the minimal love story to the "buddy cop" dynamic between the undercover cop and the titular hit-man is both funny and well placed. Amidst all the violence and darkness it allows the audience to identify with someone. The most pleasant compliment I can pay to this film is that the cinema cashier in Paris grudgingly told me "I wish we could make films like this again, we used to in the 90s with Besson". I would be surprised if the director of this film isn't helming American films in 5 years time, à la Inarritu or Park Chan-wook.

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• A foreign hit-man movie with substance

  jakub-179012015-09-16

  I've seen countless movies about a assassins in my time and this is definitely on par with the best. Never before have I seen a movie produced in Turkey and after seeing this I have a high degree of respect for Turkish cinema. The great thing about the execution of this film is it's character building and no need for an overdose of special effects. The cast was excellent and surely had this been an amateur director and/or producer this would have turned out very badly. The substance very much reminds me of another assassin movie "Léon: The Professional". Well done Turkey for this exceptional feature film.

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• its definitely amazing

  ozgenaliekber2014-05-24

  we haven't seen different kind except failed-drama or comedy. it a fact that Alper Caglar start a new era with this movie .It is the most original Turkish movie. although i look for Hollywood's effect, there is no trace. but success of movie's vision didn't that i hoped i don't know why. the fact that even useless and ridiculous movies are in vision for weeks and chairs are all full makes me sad but this movie would deserve full chair.the quality crime-action movie quench my thirst.I am thanking director Alper Çağlar. I support him for moving this sector more further. i guess i'll watch for the third time

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• 10 Numara 5 YILDIZ

  burkayaris2014-05-10

  Turkey has long been the best action movie I watch. I think the first;) Earlier this so impressive, long-term, successful stage and I do not think I've seen a movie that fiction structure. A wisp of discontinuities Turkish cinema in action and there, but that in general labor Assuming you need to ignore. Because so many foreign films We watched each new business is conducted inevitably more difficult brain compares. For example, starring Jason Statham Crank 1 and Crank 2 recalled. Guns and conflict visualization of the scene is OK. More should come to do and should be monitored at least two times because he is so fast should assimilate. A job well done film crew, director and Emin Boztepe also congratulations. I think the new Turkish cinema character was born. Get better.

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