Johnny Depp stars in an excellent action flick directed by acclaimed director Michael Mann. John Dillinger, a bank robber and criminal, has escaped prison. Solution? Melvin Purvis and gang try to catch and ultimately kill him. With this as basically the summary of the film along with strong performances by both Depp and Christian Bale, you have a supreme thriller that is absolutely dynamite. A ticking bomb ready to explode. And when “Public Enemies” explodes, it is purely amazing.
Besides the two main performances, Marion Cotillard joins the mix and gives a solid performance as Dillinger’s worried girlfriend. The love story between the two characters is a roller coaster. It’s as if they almost have a forced love, while at the same time they show true love. The romance is a terrific addition to an already terrific action film.
The cinematography is absolutely original, as the film is shot with a digital HD camera. The handheld camera feel to it makes the audience feel like you are right there in the midst of the gunfire. And in each action sequence, I felt like I was dodging bullets. Mann has perfected the idea of the hunter vs. the hunted in “Public Enemies”. It transforms from an action film to a genuine suspense thriller.
With Purvis constantly searching for Dillinger, the film turns into a classic cat-and-mouse chase. And this constant chase couldn’t have been made any better by Michael Mann or performed any better by Depp and Bale. With a captivating story and masterly crafted action sequences, “Public Enemies” is simply a great movie and one of the best movies of the year.
Rating: 31/2 out of 4
