Elite Squad [Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack]

On my short list of must-see film titles for 2011, Jose Padilha's "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" was certainly at the top of the roster. I first became aware of Padilha with the 2002 documentary feature "Bus 174," an unforgettable true life story of a bus hijacking that played out very publicly in the Brazilian media. It was a harrowing picture that had as much to say about contemporary journalism, rampant crime, local corruption, political maneuvering, and the state of the police as it did about the actual event it portrayed. I think that it is fair to say that some of these same themes have remained a constant in all of the writer/director's future film endeavors as well. That said, I do want to point out that "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" is actually a sequel to the 2007 project entitled (you guessed it) "Elite Squad." While the two films are certainly better served as companion pieces, this does have a self contained story that can be enjoyed on its own merits. If you choose to see this without having seen the first picture, you might miss out on some of the character back story--but the screenplay brings you up to speed rather quickly and efficiently.

The movie centers around the returning character of Captain Nascimento, effectively played by Wagner Moura. Moura is in charge of a special crime unit and when a prison riot goes awry, the squad's tactics and decisions are called into question by human rights activists (led spectacularly by his ex-wife's new husband). Public opinion, however, sides with the fast acting and uncompromising Moura and thrusts him into a position of even more power. Making it a mission to eliminate Rio's rampant drug crisis, he targets the lower class slums where the problem has its strongest foothold. But in eliminating the obvious enemy, he may make way for a more unexpected nemesis. As dirty cops and unscrupulous politicians jockey for new power, Moura starts to realize that he has cut off the head of one monster to see another (more nefarious) one take its place. Unable to trust those in power, he sees new allies in the media and the activists that had once been critical of Moura's methods. The turn-around is compelling and believable and undeniably frightening.

The film is shot in a gritty documentary style that makes the unpleasantness all the more tangible. While perhaps the narrative relies a little too heavily on voice-over analysis, it does keep Moura's viewpoint in perspective as the large story leaves him on the sidelines for large chunks of the action. In essence, this is a morality play disguised as a ruthless crime saga--but in that vein, it is surprisingly understated. The character shifts are subtle and the action is unrelentingly real. It's hard to imagine that the film can have a happy or satisfying conclusion, but what we're left with certainly seems appropriate even if it doesn't wrap everything up in a neat little bow. In the end, the characters distinguish this piece (Moura is fantastic) that has universal topicality in its themes of corruption and those who would combat it. "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" is a rare picture that will make you think while it entertains. About 4 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 2/12.

Only my second review on here IIrc, but this film was worthy I thought of a 5 star review. I took the chance on this rental based on the previous reviewer's high marks, and great overall review, and this film certainly was worth the time and money.

Very intelligent plot, lots of gritty action scenes, and awesome realistic gun play.

This film feels incredibly authentic for a fictional movie.

I wasn't even aware there was an original Elite Squad until after I had heard about and had access to Elite Squad: The Enemy Within. The Enemy Within has been receiving rave reviews from pretty much everyone who has seen it. This is the type of movie that sucker punches you in the gut and you never see it coming, but all you can do is smile because that rush is unlike anything else you've ever experienced. Elite Squad: The Enemy Within makes full use of the term, "thriller" before turning it upside down and inside out and doing it all over again in a two hour time period.

Some rather interesting camera work is utilized throughout the film. You take notice of it in the very first scene as the camera catches every crack and break in a pane of glass as a car is riddled with bullets. Slow motion is also used in a refreshing kind of way mostly because slow motion has looked the same way since 2006 when Leonidas kicked the messenger into the pit in 300. While this was probably done in a cheaper way since the budget wasn't nearly as big as it was in a film like 300, the fact that it was done differently is what makes it noteworthy. This feels more raw and less polished. The "size of a tangerine" scene is fairly awesome, as well. The scene is frozen at one point, but you see that scene from two different perspectives.

Taken, Man on Fire, and The Man From Nowhere; these are a few of the films the action scenes in Elite Squad: The Enemy Within may remind you of. Those scenes when everything hits the fan are the main reason to see this film, but everything in between is so tense that you find yourself easily getting absorbed into all of the events that are going on. Corruption is fascinating in a very disturbing kind of way. This is Nascimento's (Wagner Moura) story, so he's pretty much your guide through this journey as he's removed from BOPE (the Special Police Operations Battalion of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police) and struggles to survive in Rio, but the way his story ties in with the stories of Matias (André Ramiro) and Fraga (Irandhir Santos) is rather brilliant as they're both involved with Nascimento in more ways than one. The bloody brutality of the film seems to be lurking around every corner even when things may appear calm.

In The Boondock Saints, Paul Smecker (played by Willem Dafoe) yells, "There was a firefight!" during one the most extravagant shootout of the film. Elite Squad: The Enemy Within almost seems to redefine that term. While there isn't a lot of property damage in the film, people get wasted left and right and blood sprays into the air whenever a gun is drawn. People get the hell beaten out of them before being lit on fire and dead bodies are burned as their teeth are pulled to hide their identities. There's a grittiness to Elite Squad: The Enemy Within that many films have barely scratched the surface of.

Remember when you first saw The Empire Strikes Back where you had this fairly awesome movie on your hands that left you with this rather huge cliffhanger ending? Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is similar in that aspect. Elite Squad is obviously going to be at least a trilogy, but it'll be one of those things that will be less of an issue when you don't have a long wait between films. In the meantime though, it feels a little cheap.

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is a lot like City of God if it was on steroids; there's more action, more intensity, and bigger payoffs. Its biggest flaw is that it doesn't end and is obviously just building toward the next sequel. With an excellent cast and eye-catching cinematography, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is a compelling look at the underbelly of society that's a must-see.