Polar
2019 · Directed by Jonas Åkerlund
Original language: English
- action
- crime
- drama
The story
When a retiring assassin realizes that he is the target of a hit, he winds up back in the game going head to head with a gang of younger, ruthless killers.
What it’s like
Saturated, glossy digital imagery with a hard-edged, comic-book sheen: bright reds and icy blues, stylised slow-motion, and frequent snap-zooms and crisp, punchy cuts. Snowy Montana exteriors and sterile, sun-bleached interiors give it a cold, isolated feel, while the score leans on pounding electronic beats and heavy pop tracks that give the violence a candy-coloured swagger. The vibe is cool, cynical and self-consciously stylish, a brutal neo-noir playing like a music video. Action is frequent and graphic: gunfights, close-quarters brawls and stabbings, with torture scenes and sexual content that are explicit and disturbing rather than brief. Pacing is brisk and jokey in its early stretches, then turns grimmer. Its central figure is a weary retired killer forced back into violence, and the arc is more about cynicism and revenge than emotional growth. Best for viewers who want a fast, flashy crime thriller with a dark streak and can handle heavy violence and nudity; it is not a gentle or comforting watch.
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