Mesrine: Killer Instinct (2008)

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

The movie is made so realistic it has a lot of that WoW feeling at the right moments and never tooo over the top. the suspense is done so well and the emotion is felt. Very well put together with the music and all.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

I enjoyed watching the film, both parts together, one after the other. More than 4 hours of action, good music and a real story just flied...Overall it reminded me Carlos, another great production based on the real story of a character that was opposed to the system on his own way...NEve heard before of Mesrine but afterwards I had to search for more. It proves to be a very interesting person, a tragic figure of a "revolution" against the system. At some point he became a hero for the poor, the people that do not dare to go against what is supposed to be socially correct. Of course, meanwhile he killed a lot of people but still, an interesting and intriguing character full of contradictions...Last but not least, excellent performance from Vincent Cassel.

The simple thought that a man like Mesrine really existed is terrifying. A complete and ideal criminal, slick, resourceful, always calm and ready to impact his environment in the worst sense, while always being in control of the outcome. Well, almost always. I've heard about Mesrine before watching this fine movie. And I have to say, it left me slightly disappointed. Some of the crucial details were left out. But I find that reasonable cause some 500 year old countries don't have as much history as this man had. Nor did they impact the world as this man did. A true bad ass that took a small part in shaping the modern media, French laws and pop culture in general. And got nicknamed "The Man of a thousand Faces" in the process. Oh yeah. He actually found time to write an autobiography during his stay at the prison which eventually forced the French government to push the "Son of Sam" law, forbidding the publishment of books written by known criminals. Clyde, you have been shotgunned by the Frenchy in every way.The notion that "L'instinct de mort" leaves behind is definitely a romantic one. This movie is made to be popular and more "user friendly". I could not shake off the feeling that Vincent Cassel was the best man for the job, at any given moment of this movie. Great work. He totally pulled it off. Especially the parts where Mesrine gets caught in fishy situations and when his calmness absolutely shines. Vincent made it look SO easy. The movie constantly introduced new characters and every single one of them was special in their own way. The feminine characters that associated with Mesrine all proved fatal to this Byronic hero. Everything about them is made short but full, easy to understand. This movie also intrigued me with the sudden termination of what seemed to be critical figures in Mesrines life, giving everything a more realistic taste. Something like terminating Leo DiCaprio in Departed. Its done, deal with it, move on. The side of the movie that deals with the media reminded me of Tarantinos "Natural born killers". Mickey and Malorey equal Jacques and Jeanne.Once again, I have been reassured that French movies are the hot stuff. As I mentioned before, this movie is "user friendly" all the way and the thing about French movies is that I never had any problem about being picky to whom I am going to recommend them. In the end, everybody loves 'em. So do I. Can't wait to see the second part tonight!

This, the first of two films, follows the career of infamous French criminal Jacques Mesrine from the time he leaves the army till shortly after he escapes from prison in Quebec. After leaving the army his friend Paul gets him started in his life of crime; at first it is house breaking but it isn't long before the crimes escalate in both ambition and violence. On a trip to Spain he gets a girl pregnant and ends up marrying her; their marriage is rocky but they stick together; when she finally realises she can't persuade him to leave the life of crime she decides to join him. After robbing the wrong establishment they find themselves wanted by both the law and certain criminals so leave the country; heading for Montreal. Here they get honest jobs working for a wealthy man but after he fires them they kidnap him. When he escapes they flee to America but are extradited back to Canada where they are sent to prison. The conditions in the prison Jacques is sent to are particularly harsh but he comes up with a plan to escape. He and a Canadian friend manage to escape but rather than lying low or fleeing the country they start robbing banks then return to the gaol and attempt to help other prisoners escape; getting injured in the process. After that they are Canada's Number One most wanted people… to find out what happens next the viewer must watch the next film.Before watching this I hadn't heard of Jacques Mesrine but I am glad that I knew it was a true story as some of the events portray would have seemed too far fetched in a work of fiction! Who would expect somebody who escaped from an 'escape proof' prison to return to lead a two man armed assault on the facility! While it isn't gratuitous there is quite a lot of violence in the film; much of it fairly brutal and shocking but glamorised. Much of the strength of the film is down to Vincent Cassel's excellent portrayal of Mesrine; he might not look like a stereotypical movie gangster but he brought an intensity to the role that made him believable. He is ably supported by Cécile De France who played his wife Jeanne and Gérard Depardieu who played his boss Guido. While this isn't always comfortable viewing I'd certainly recommend it to anybody who likes crime drama… having seen part one I'm certainly looking forward to watching part two to see what happens next.

Vincent Cassel has had a great varied career. I can remember him from watching L'Appartement in the Cinema back in the 90s, and he was great then, and he has carried on that line to this double feature gem. Mesrine is possibly showing him at his greatest and it's a role he has got his teeth into.The film is based on the real-life of French gangster Jacques Mesrine (title character). His life when you read it seems too bizarre to believe but it's true and we only just get a summary of it in this film.The film doesn't bother paying homage to other gangster films in its genre (thankfully) and rather just goes to fitting in the life of this gangster. A very complex character, the scriptwriters don't try to make us side one way or the other with our lead character.A dark character, from the myriad of events that we see in this film you will love or loathe him. Strictly you should loathe him, but there are elements that make him to be a charming rogue and it is that contrast to the violent thug that marks him out against other villains in his field. Possibly that is what has helped to make him a legend.Great directing, filming and acting from all make this a great pleasure to watch. Gerard Depardieu plays his role as a mentor to Mesrine with such great menace that he just steals the film whenever he is on the screen, he hasn't lost it.A cracking film and I definitely would recommend it to everyone.