I like movies which pushes me off my seat or makes me jump from my seat and punch the air with my clenched fist shouting obscene exclamations of approval and support. Not many movies does that to me. This one of the few movies that does.
The Skinny: A sequel to the hugely successful Elite Squad (2007), the story continues with Colonel Nascimento, head of the 'skulls' or, BOPE, the Brazilian military police crack unit tasked with eradicating drug dealers and other hardcore cases where the normal police are just not up to doing it properly. He is ceremoniously kicked upstairs as sub-secretary to the Intelligence unit of the government's security agency, when a prison outbreak leads to a bloody outcome. At his new position he discovers corruption within the police and certain parts of the local government. Joining forces with his nemesis who is also his ex-wife's new husband, a representative of the local government who is also intent on uncovering and stopping corruption, both men face numerous obstacles and threats to their lives in achieving their objectives.
The Helmer: Jose Padiha - Elite Squad 2 (2010), Secrets of the Tribe (documentary) (2010), Garapa (documentary) (2009), Elite Squad (2007), Brazil's Vanishing Cowboys (TV documentary) (2003), Bus 174 (documentary) (2002).
Casts: Wagner Moura, Irandhir Santos, Andre Ramiro, Milhem Cortez, Maria Ribeiro, Seu Jorge, Sandro Rocha.
The Review: This is a sordid tale of dirty cops, street gangsters, corrupt politicians mixing it up and almost getting away with it, if not for the perseverance and tenacity of one man, and his liberal-minded counterpart. Its hardhitting, it hits you hard in the guts and it never misses its non-stop pace of edge-of-seat action. It is also a clarion call of anger from the director / writer / producer on the current situation in Brazil. Apparently some of the characters in this movie are based on real life personalities. If you've seen City of God (2002), a tale of street gangsters in Rio, this is the other side of that story, i.e. the cops and the politicians. This comes highly recommended. If you like hard hitting action, you cannot miss this.
