Polis Review.
This movie should have been titled "We're On A Train To Nowhere" as it takes one through an "all stations to the City" trip when you have already paid for a non stop express to the City. Polis salutes genres of the past. Reservoir Dogs and Westside Story are remembered in the opening fight scene, as is Clint Eastwoods Dirty Harry character who was adept at shooting villains behind him while looking elsewhere. Zena the Princess Warrior spawned the "swoooosh" sound that accompanied her every action move it has now been borrowed by this film to signify even a handshake or to raise a glass. Thus, one is often left trying to decide if Polis is a parody/spoof /comedy or a combination of all of them. When over 30 Policemen draw their pistols at a target within punching distance, one wonders if Cuneyt Arkin was directing this movie. For the uninformed Cuneyt Arkin was Turkey's answer to Superman's alter ego Clark Kent - he could single handedly do almost anything. The scenario you only have two months to live is stale and should be inducted into the "What not to do" at film schools worldwide. Movie lovers want originality. Despite being a huge fan of the male lead Haluk Bilginer I was unimpressed with his nonchalant recounting of the deaths of his family members to his female lead and his unconvincing love for his female lead.. Clever aspects of Polis were far and few in between but a highlight for me was the leads son sitting at his bedside imploring his dad not to die. Another positive was the street peddler selling guns and firearms a depiction of how transparent violence is today. Once upon a time this activity was concealed. An attack from the Grassy Knoll hinted at Kennedy's assassination but I'm not sure if that was intentional or my will to elevate the caliber of Polis to a higher level than what it deserves.
The lead characters supposed relationship did not work at all and seemed pointless. The male leads uninvited entry into the female leads apartment served no purpose nor did it hint at its aim, once again leaving the viewer confused. A better option as a sub-plot could have been the expansion of the main villains demanding to know which member of the lead male's family should be spared. Explaining to each destined to die family member would have been riveting and highly emotional. It would have also showcased Haluk Bilginers acting prowess.
Technically, Polis was very well created. In the main, the acting was very good except for a few glitches. The merit of a movie is often how long it takes before you feel the urge to revisit it. I'm in no rush.
This movie should have been titled "We're On A Train To Nowhere" as it takes one through an "all stations to the City" trip when you have already paid for a non stop express to the City. Polis salutes genres of the past. Reservoir Dogs and Westside Story are remembered in the opening fight scene, as is Clint Eastwoods Dirty Harry character who was adept at shooting villains behind him while looking elsewhere. Zena the Princess Warrior spawned the "swoooosh" sound that accompanied her every action move it has now been borrowed by this film to signify even a handshake or to raise a glass. Thus, one is often left trying to decide if Polis is a parody/spoof /comedy or a combination of all of them. When over 30 Policemen draw their pistols at a target within punching distance, one wonders if Cuneyt Arkin was directing this movie. For the uninformed Cuneyt Arkin was Turkey's answer to Superman's alter ego Clark Kent - he could single handedly do almost anything. The scenario you only have two months to live is stale and should be inducted into the "What not to do" at film schools worldwide. Movie lovers want originality. Despite being a huge fan of the male lead Haluk Bilginer I was unimpressed with his nonchalant recounting of the deaths of his family members to his female lead and his unconvincing love for his female lead.. Clever aspects of Polis were far and few in between but a highlight for me was the leads son sitting at his bedside imploring his dad not to die. Another positive was the street peddler selling guns and firearms a depiction of how transparent violence is today. Once upon a time this activity was concealed. An attack from the Grassy Knoll hinted at Kennedy's assassination but I'm not sure if that was intentional or my will to elevate the caliber of Polis to a higher level than what it deserves.
The lead characters supposed relationship did not work at all and seemed pointless. The male leads uninvited entry into the female leads apartment served no purpose nor did it hint at its aim, once again leaving the viewer confused. A better option as a sub-plot could have been the expansion of the main villains demanding to know which member of the lead male's family should be spared. Explaining to each destined to die family member would have been riveting and highly emotional. It would have also showcased Haluk Bilginers acting prowess.
Technically, Polis was very well created. In the main, the acting was very good except for a few glitches. The merit of a movie is often how long it takes before you feel the urge to revisit it. I'm in no rush.