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Chopper

Chopper

2000
Drama, Biography
1h 34m
A bold, blackly comic character study about a self-proclaimed "national icon" Mark 'Chopper' Read. A multi-sided examination of the pathology of a complex and violent man, a man who becomes a cult figure thanks to a colourful imagination and a wicked, old-world sense of humour. (First Look Pictures)
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Chopper

2000
Drama, Biography
1h 34m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 58.21% from 942 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(942)
Compact view
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Rated 18 May 2010
78
65th
The film is the character. That's pretty much the bottom line. It's slick. It's funny. It's violent. It's unpredictable. However, the movie never really goes in depth enough into Mark himself, but rather just examines the surface and the wake that his rampage kicks up. Eric Bana straight up owns this film, though. Magnificent. You believe every moment of it. And what a transformation.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
77th
The most interesting and unusual aspect of this film is the way in which it portrays the effect violence has on the perpetrator of that violence.
Rated 02 Feb 2021
74
68th
Pretty brutal, occasionally unsettling, and often blackly funny. This is quite impressively made in terms of filming and setting, but I feel it only shows a couple of moments of what was probably quite a rich life of carnage, and I don't think the film really scratches the surface. That said, what it does, it does well. Bana is brilliant to watch here. Elements of this held the same curious appeal for me as Bronson, so if you liked that you may like this.
Rated 07 Mar 2007
80
95th
Brilliance.Eric Bana is amazing in this film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
50th
A good movie made almost great by a must-see-to-believe performance by Eric Bana.
Rated 26 Nov 2007
80
69th
Bana's best performance! Also, the movie itself is so intense, so different and so brutal I was flabbergasted. Not to be missed.
Rated 26 Mar 2009
87
65th
Chopper is close to reality; in a world someone like Manson & Gacy mutating to superstars...sick but true. great acting by bana.
Rated 14 Jun 2010
87
83rd
An atypical, part-whimsical, idiosyncratic look at a larger than life personality. Refn's Bronson likely took a lot of inspiration from this picture that has slight echoes of Taxi Driver. Bana's transformation is the centerpiece of the entire film and is pretty incredible. At times surreal, unsettling, and pretty funny. Quite a debut for a first time writer-director, as it feels like it has a solid, established style.
Rated 17 Jun 2010
7
65th
Ears are overrated.
Rated 08 Aug 2010
74
61st
I did like it and Bana is extremely good. However, the structure of the film lacks a bit, it's like watching a TV show of the life of Chopper and only seeing parts 2, 3 and 7/8. I wanted more of an introduction, not a "you've read this before, now enjoy". But still, a recommend from me.
Rated 09 Jun 2012
83
62nd
As the film opens with Mark Read watching himself on the telly with the screws, we get the impression that Chopper is a complex man. Even when his best mate Jimmy stabs him repeatedly Mark simply stares with a detached amusement. It's Jimmy that seems more concerned. Nothing really seems to affect him, except when he confesses to murder and the detectives refuse to believe him. I appreciate the fact that Dominik never tries to revile or sympathize with the character, instead he lets him unfold.
Rated 30 Nov 2012
85
92nd
Chopper is uneven as a character study -- and that's why it's so entertaining. Bana delivers the best performance of his career as this violent, crude Australian celebrity, who is able to shoot someone, feel sorry for him and convince crowds with well-told lies -- and also well-told truths. It's not just a film about an iconic killer. It's a film about a bright, arresting and highly talented narrator -- of what he's done and hasn't done.
Rated 16 May 2014
65
54th
I've never been a big fan of Eric Bana, but he was really good in this. The film was pretty good, too. I especially like the unreliable narrator elements. I've seen similar films before, so I can't say it had a huge impact on me, but that's not the film's fault.
Rated 28 Dec 2015
70
70th
Dark comedy about a real-life sociopath famous for his fearless, unrelenting brutality & stubborn animal-like nature. This scary unstable criminal was notorious for preying on other criminals. Eric Bana owned the character & gives a convincing performance. Many memorable scenes, like when he is stabbed repeatedly by a longtime friend. And his audacious plan to take over the prison to neutralize his rivals was disturbingly insane. How did this crazy man ever get out of prison? Raw & interesting.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
80th
One of the best Aussie films ever made, and you even get to see a pre-Troy Eric Bana ("Maaaaaate") at possibly his best. Also a true story. 110% true.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
71st
Eric bana is brilliant as a career criminal named Mark "Chopper" Reade. Fascinating film
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
82nd
Eric Bana is a revelation in this nerve-rattling comedy about a real-life serial killing "bloke". His transformation is not unlike the work of early De Niro.
Rated 10 Jun 2008
70
81st
One of the two or three best Australian movies of all time.
Rated 29 Jul 2008
80
84th
Eric Bana shines as the title character, though they should've gone further and shown him as the owner of an op shop. It's around the corner from where I work
Rated 03 Dec 2008
65
44th
Bana in a good movie? Well, that's tight. Really, this movie revolves around his performance and ranges from interesting to "I don't care" otherwise. Could've been better, but I'm not going to complain too much. Peep the stabbing scene.
Rated 31 Mar 2009
65
42nd
It took a while to figure out what was going on (I didn't know the about 'Chopper' beforehand). The jail scenes were pretty brutal and well-done.
Rated 13 May 2009
80
84th
i actually think this is quite close to double-very good
Rated 04 Jun 2009
5
80th
Eric Bana is a man who makes a movie. Almost completely from his presence and character does this movie rise from the odd directorial/narrative choices made.
Rated 19 Nov 2009
70
65th
There are some generally uncomfortable moments in this very uneven story. Also it's a tour de force by Eric Bana, that should shame any doubt that the former stand up comedian can act.
Rated 08 Apr 2010
80
44th
Highly stylized, very grimly funny and makes a deserved star out of Eric Bana.
Rated 29 Apr 2011
75
75th
'Bronson' was a better version of a similar type of film, but this was quite good on its own. Bana did a great job and there were some really surreal moments, but the last 5 minutes I found to be subtly brilliant.
Rated 13 Nov 2011
74
79th
Chopper will kick your ass then cry about it.
Rated 07 Dec 2011
80
79th
Chopper follows the foul, disgusting, offensive, bloody and utterly hilarious exploits of Australia's worst offender: Mark "Chopper" Read. A fun and sometimes shocking affair it is definitely turned out to be one of my favourites. Eric Bana takes being an asshole to a whole new level!
Rated 17 Jan 2012
78
38th
Eric Bana is bloody brilliant, but I can't say I'm that enamored with the film overall.
Rated 08 Jun 2012
80
84th
Hilariously dark and brutal. Bana's performance really is incredible.
Rated 28 Feb 2013
80
74th
Eric Bana is insane. Forgot that Andrew Dominik made this. Very entertaining
Rated 05 Aug 2013
66
39th
Although Eric Bana is brilliant in this movie, and the direction & cinematography are stylish, suitable and unique, it feels like the narrative has been lost a little here. A character study which feels like the answers to a quiz than it does a story - as if we're supposed to understand the life of Chopper Read before we watch the film. That being said though, it has an excellent pace, doesn't overstay it's welcome, and has one of the better endings I've seen in a crime film, thematically.
Rated 03 Apr 2014
60
54th
Impressive debut from Andrew Dominik (whose sophomore film I didn't care for one bit), a gritty and visceral experience, with Bana's powerhouse performance at the forefront. I'm not surprised that Chopper became a best-selling author because lives of crime are fascinating, but it's a bit worrisome that such a mass murderer was revered as a celebrity. I think the filmmaker shows awareness of this problem but elects to capitalize on it rather than confront it. That is the film's weakness.
Rated 11 Aug 2014
80
50th
The movie, which I'm completely unsure it finds what it's looking for, is either 1) shrewd or 2) too eager to get to the prurient in not depicting an elucidation of Chopper's aggressive depravity. Regardless, after the series of crazy mood swings, there begins to set in an unforeseen sorrow that elevates this flashy cinematic drill, which, if nothing else for sure, is certainly a revelation of Bana's talent.
Rated 11 Jan 2015
82
90th
Chopper freaks me out and is very well portrayed by Eric Bana. Completely unstable and very witty.
Rated 16 Feb 2017
75
84th
Dominik's debut is an episodic and quasi-impressionist look at Chopper Reid, a notorious Australian criminal whose wayward charisma allowed him to parlay his shocking exploits into myth making celebrity. Bana's transformation is impressive, even if his portrayal is slightly exaggerated: he captures the man's idiosyncrasies, sardonic humour and imposing physicality. Dominik's stylistic tics can be distracting, but thankfully he refuses to moralize or resolve the enigma that is Chopper.
Rated 17 Mar 2017
74
40th
A compelling character study for sure, but it's not a person or setting I'm interested in and the style of violence is off-putting to me without the kind of attached commentary that would allow me to get something out of it. It's a vehicle for Bana's performance, and he does a great job.
Rated 27 Aug 2018
80
73rd
From Bana's performance to Dominik's great direction, Chopper holds up as a very good character study. Of course it is also often very violent and very funny, which gives the film a certain charm that screams cult.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
51st
Eric Bana brings teh awesome!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
39th
Not what i would call funny. Seemed like more of the same to me.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
20
23rd
Eh. Some alright parts. Neede more direction and budget.
Rated 17 Sep 2007
80
89th
great
Rated 17 Mar 2008
80
72nd
Fascinating and funny, and Eric Bana is fantastic.
Rated 08 Oct 2009
81
67th
Surprisingly good acting by Eric Bana.
Rated 30 Dec 2009
60
38th
What's the point of this?
Rated 10 Jan 2010
79
89th
Neville bloody Bartos!
Rated 19 Feb 2010
83
67th
Chopper's a silly guy, Bana does him well.
Rated 23 Jul 2010
75
79th
A magnifying performance by Bana.
Rated 29 Dec 2010
77
24th
Reasonable biopic. Difficult to get excited about any one thing about it.
Rated 28 Apr 2011
70
13th
Good film, pretty harrowing.
Rated 01 May 2012
70
10th
The Legend immortalised :-)
Rated 01 Sep 2012
80
32nd
hilarious.
Rated 27 Sep 2012
70
53rd
Bana was great.
Rated 14 Jan 2013
7
73rd
Disturbing, dark and fascinating character study.
Rated 26 Jun 2017
59
59th
an entertaining, if downright scary, character magnificently played by Eric Bana. Entertaining if a little shallow.
Rated 07 Nov 2019
80
86th
7.11.19(+)killallhippiez.
Rated 27 Feb 2021
49
41st
Seen: 2. Some neat stylistic choices and some dark humor highlight Chopper. But it really feels like half a movie, and comes off as relatively tame actually. The movie frustratingly teases things, but then rarely pays off. There is a dark, psychotic story to tell here, and the end result is an overall, and unfortunate, miss.
Rated 04 May 2022
95
98th
Eric Bana's acting is cult-level incredible. I was laughing in amazement all the way from beginning to end. His character and this perfect little gem of a movie go straight to my hall of fame.

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