Message from the King (2016) Reviews

• Average Crime Thriller

  dudedoodleedoo-807162017-08-04

  This crime thriller/revenge action film is a straightforward story about a guy from South Africa who comes to LA to find his sister, only to learn that she was viciously beaten and murdered. He spends the rest of the film tracking down her murderers and learning why she was killed. He's easy to sympathize with; you will care about this man and what he's going through. The plot is steady and things are slowly revealed, enough to keep your interest. There is not a big plot twist at the end like some reviews have (for some reason) hinted at. Quite a bit of violence, but nothing gratuitous; it makes sense within the plot. In sum, this film has good acting, it's a decent story, and it has a plot steady enough to keep your attention. Perfect for Netflix and chill.

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• No idea why this isn't rated higher!

  nixy692017-08-15

  I know some Netflix films can be a little rubbish but they excelled themselves here. In my opinion the whole cast excelled especially Chadwick Boseman who carries his role off beautifully with a great accent that has no weak points - revenge thrillers are common but few as well acted or with a script as well written. I was engaged from beginning to end - the twist is superb.You won't regret watching this movie.

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• Hidden Among the Rags (of LA) comes a Beauty of Cinematic Excellence

  theredandwhitekey2017-08-06

  This movie shows you what cinema should look like. This old craft of making movies with tempo, cinematography, editing and score is deprived of all imprints of judgement, opinion or the director's indulging in his pretentious personality as many directors strive to do these days; it seems that the director has nothing to prove but only the commitment to telling a beautiful masterful story filmed with excellence and craftsmanship. The goal here is to learn what real cinema is. Everything serves the story, everything is well balanced. It's an exercise in genre and a director's pure intentions to making only cinema. You don't get pitiful emotion or euphoric fake bliss you only marvel in excellence. No shot is overrated, no emotion is fake. This is a work of a master. And these days masters are found in Europe. It brought me back to my film school days when I was in awe with the great directors of past and how they can create a work of art without the excesses of today's cinematic work that is riddled with uselessness and has no soul or beauty. Mind you, this is not a masterpiece, far from it; rather this is a lesson of what true cinema is... Watch it and be in awe...

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• EXCELLENT

  danielclundquist2017-12-31

  An EXCELLENT movie. One that not only addresses the cruelty and injustice of this world but also the humility and focus of the few who do try to make it right. Highly recommended!

• Critics need to get their cranium checked

  hgrahovac42017-08-04

  First of all, what a movie! When I heard about this movie through the cinematographer's page here on IMDb (fits perfectly with the story), I was shocked to see the 6,4 rating and the critic reviews. Chadwick Boseman shines as Jacob King, a mysterious man from Cape Town looking for his sister in Los Angeles. Director Fabrice Du Welz made good use of the locations to show us the gritty side of the city. The performance of the supporting cast is excellent for this kind of movie. For the critics who wrote their thoughts on this movie, I say this: I do not know what your problems are with this movie, but I do not see any problem with this movie. You should probably give this movie another go. For the ones you who are going to watch this on Netflix at home, be shocked for the ending.

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