Rigel:

This movie is really all Willem Dafoe and his spectacular overacting. Not in a bad way, tho, he's suitably ranty, flamboyant (oh boy) and chewing up scenery like a lawnmower. Usually, when the action in a movie stops, you have to wait impatiently for the cops to do their scene, etc. For Saints, you almost wait for the action to be over to get more Dafoe. I'll never look at him the same way again after the climax scenes. The film itself is borderline cartoony. The action is raw, but the scenes are wild, to the point of being comedic at times. Like a Coen brothers movie, the players are all strong characterizations. It's definitely a fun and crazy film with a questionably moral ending.

4dae2b8fc6:

If you like shoot em up movies or mob movies or even if you just like good Irish humor, youre going to like this.The chemistry between the actors in this film is good. Because they seem like they are truly these characters,it gives the movie that extra bit of realness. There was supposed to be a sequel to this. But that is not going to happen because of the bad blood between Troy Duffy (writer and director) and the film industry that made this. Which is a shame because it deserves a sequel. Well worth a watch.

frgodbeyjr:

Wow... some really bad comments on this movie. I didn't see "Overnight" and I don't know how it relates to the movie. That said, I enjoyed the movie and thought it was well acted and directed. Both actors, Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reddus really put their hearts into this production. Willem Defoe was great as a gay detective. The movie is not perfect, it does have a few holes that would have been nice to have had cleared up. Nevertheless, the movie fullfilled my expectations of being totally entertaining. The emotion is strong! In my humble opinion, this movie is well worth a watch. Check out my other reviews, and if you've seen any of the movies you will get an idea of what I look for in a movie. This movie is very good and worth the time you give to it.

Chuckie13:

Ths is a very entertaining and fun movie to watch. Willem Dafoe steals the show though, his portrayal of the FBI agent is hilarious... it adds levity to the story while adding to the film, not distracting from it. The interaction between the brothers is great, the action is good enough. Hopefully the rumors of a sequel are true.

d05ac7a578:

I have removed this review as a protest against NF highly obnoxious banishment of Friends Features. Thanks to a recent update to the movie detail page, I can no longer see what my friends and family think of ANY of the movies on this website, the top 10 lists have been removed, and I can no longer send movie notes to friends. I realize that some members do not utilize these features, and if you are one of those members, please accept my apologies for removing this review. However, many longtime members have treasured these features for years, and although complaints have been lodged to NF by a wide variety of members, our concerns have been collectively ignored. Weve shown loyalty to you, NF. Show some loyalty to us, and give us back our friends.

Forrest (Gump):

What a clever little movie. Love this thing from beginning to end. Religous undertones and overtones and even diagonal tones make this film even better than one might expect. You will laugh, even at moments you might find shockingly violent. Dafoe is over the top as usual. The first 15 minutes will either hook you or lose you.

devinreams:

Although graphic the movie makes light of the vigilante brothers' actions. Deep down most people wish there was a pair like these saints. The movie made me chuckle a few times... which almost worried me.

moviesorfilm:

Fantastic crime thriller about two Irish brothers (Flanery and Reedus) becoming avenging "saints" in their mob run hometown. I haven't seen this in a long time and was so glad I Q'd it up again. This movie had it all--suspense, drama, action and those fantastically sexy Irish accents (one of my weaknesses!). The story of these two finding their "calling" was unbelievably entertaining and certainly didn't drag in any way. I think the cast was well chosen with Dafoe especially good as the gay FBI agent who identifies a little too closely with the two brothers and their calling against evil. Seeing Dafoe in drag was worth the watch in itself--what he does with facial and body expressions is close to an art form. Flanery and Reedus were also close to perfect as the two brothers and Reedus has become (over the years) one of my favorite actors. Connolly was a great surprise as the hitman sent to deal with the brothers--he wasn't on screen long enough. But if you watch with the DVD extras Connolly does commentary on the film (there is another commentary with the director also) which is fun. If you're up for a bloody crime action thriller--this is the movie for you. I highly recommend it!

Firewater:

I'm rounding up here. My true score for BOONDOCK SAINTS is 2.6 stars because there is little to rave about here. Willem Dafoe gives a fine performance as the gay FBI agent, though the scene in which he gives another man an open-mouth kiss is not for the squeamish. The violence in this movie is over-the-top and at times comedic, but screenwriter/director Troy Duffy has an annoying habit of showing the crime scene first and then the action in flashback. You will find this one okay if you lower your expectations first.

ira 1175881:

Ron Jeremey, William Dafoe, Billy Connolly, and Sean Patrick Flanery in the same movie? William Dafoe is at his most bizzare self which is entertaining in itself but add Sean Patrick Flanery sporting his best attempt at a Cork accent and this movie becomes pure entertainment. The cherry is Billy Connolly's character... The fact this movie should've been a Miramax release save for the pedantic wants of Troy Duffy should've been the subtitle for this release

Supercords:

I had to watch this one again before seeing the sequel since I had completely forgotten what happened. It was better than I remember. Maybe I appreciated that bizarre humor a little more, or flashback sequences that follow a grisly crime scene. At any rate, it made watching the follow-up more enjoyable. Rating: C+

cerfeveris:

This movie is one of my favorites! I honestly dont know how someone couldnt love this movie! It has witty comedy and awesome action scenes. The acting is phenomenal! I think the actors had a chemistry that is always desired but rarely achieved. This is a unique movie with an acquired taste but, anyone who doesnt have the craving for this movie...should stick to the cheaply done, heavily cliched movies!

DfwForeignBuff:

excellent crime drama/ comedy!! read some of the other reviews. As a general rule I don't watch this kind of thing but recently enjoyed "Smoking Aces" I primary watched this to see how well Willem Dafoe could play a gay FBI Agent. He does a good job but the script is good also! Overall I rate this movie pretty good. Never a dull moment!! This film disses the catholic church and has a lot of bad words- derogatory words-if that would bother you find another film. It tap into the public desire to participate in vigilantism. while I don't give it give stars I do not rate it "just plain awful" I kind of enjoyed as a break from my usual foreign film and art film fare. Really its kind of an over rated for a so called " cult classic" three stars

tqs 1411911:

Two Irish brothers (Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus)from South Boston receive their calling- save the world form evil men, so that good might flourish. Armed with a family prayer, and guns galore they follow a surreal path of revenge. Willem Dafoe and David Della Rocco play incredible supporting roles, and the whole movie is infused with dark, ironic comedy to cheer the sometimes brutal material. Highly, highly recommended.

RR 34992:

This might be one of the greatest Vigilante films of all time. I cannot name another movie like this that impacts the viewer like this film does. Long live the Boondock Saints.

Corruption:

I've been hearing about this movie for a very long time, and just got the power to see it. I am so glad I did. I LOVE this movie, and was thoroughly entertained. Even Will was kinda hot in this movie...lmao! And where exactly was bob marley?

BunnyKing:

This movie has some great action sequences and hilarious comedy. I think the only two things that pulled me down from a 5 star rating were Dafoe's character, who most times seemed pointless - along with his tedious "firefight" monologue - and the end of the film. It just seemed a little too contrived. Overall, however, this is a good film and worth a watch.

Giga:

This, is the definitive buddy movie. I mean it's every boy's dream to get armed to the teeth, run around and off bad guys in style. These guys do it well, with comedy and memorable quotes. Dafoe gives a great performance as a homosexual detective and my favorite characters is the old man with tourette's. Rent this and watch these guys kick butt, take names, all in style.

bd2e0012b0:

I love this movie. The people that have been reviewing it have compared it to Tarintino and Ritchie, while I can see why, are wrong. This is a low budget, out of the mainstream, gem. Some of the one star reviews have knocked this movie for lack of character development or being immature. I can see that, its an action movie, plain and simple. Watch this movie for humor and gunplay. Is this the best movie ever, NO. Is this the most orignal movie ever, NO. The fact that everyone tries to compare it to some of the greats of the field, should say something about it and maybe place you in the right frame of mind for it. It is not a Tarintino movie, but they both use violence as a mode of humor. It is not a Ritchie movie, but they both use racial stereotypes as a mode of humor. Is the Rocco character over the top, yes. Is Willem Defoe playing WAY over the top, sure. But I still feel that both of these characters are still with in the realm of belivable (within the context of this movie). So if you are looking for a movie that is FUN, check this out.If you are looking for a movie that is original, dont look here, but at the exact same time dont look at Tarintino or Ritchie either. If you are looking for a movie that true to life, I am sure Lifetime has a movie starting on it soon.

phanboy4:

Wrongheaded pile of enormously funny idiocy. Sure, the motivations of the main characters are noble only in their deranged minds, but the film is silly action fun and best not taken seriously. Dafoe really shines here.

Troo:

My God, what an amateurish piece of crap that film was. DO NOT believe the ratings. I swear there is some kind of subliminal message in this film that makes people say it's "brilliant." It is not. It is horribly written and acted. Do not see it.

tco 1532012:

The film looks brilliant whenever Willem Dafoe is in the scene. It slides into mediocrity otherwise. The ending is way too predictable for the build-up it has going towards it. ---spoilers ahead--- Two brothers - fraternal twins - deeply religious become accidental heroes when they kill a mafia muscle. They see it as their true calling and work their way up the mafia food chain. An FBI agent is on their case from the beginning and becomes their number one fan. At some stage they start targeting all of society's filth and are joined in their efforts by a friend/comic relief and a senior vigilante. The story culminates in a truly escapist ending where they do away with the mafia chief in a courthouse and escape into notoriety with the FBI agent's help. They can be in any town and cleanse that town of evil.

GeorgeC:

I had to watch this after watching the dicumentary about the writer/director ("Overnight"). I'm surprised Miramax had any intention on banking on this guy and his project. Perhpas in the context of the time it may have been edgy, but it doesn't hold up and the entire premise is not only silly, but boring. I gave it an extra star for Willem Dafoe, putting in yet another great (and over the top) performance in this otherwise unwatchable slop.

SuperShortReview:

It's neither as horrible nor as great as you've heard it is, but it is moderately enjoyable in a post-Pulp Fiction kind of way, serves as a great intro to Overnight (the documentary about its production), and it has Willem Dafoe at his quirkiest (and most cross-dressing-est).

PD 415239:

To enjoy this movie you are going to have really stretch your "suspension of disbelief" muscles. Otherwise, how can you buy someone aiming a toilet onto someone's head from five stories up and then jumping five stories down onto another guys head? Other scenes are so contrived that they are almost painful to watch. In one the brothers crash through a ceiling and hanging upside down by tangled ropes, blow away nine Russian mafia bosses (cue slo-mo and heavy rock riffs). The problem is they didn't need ropes and Duffy (writer/director) works in some awkward dialog between the brothers arguing about taking coils of rope along, how the rope is getting in the way and how it's hot carrying these damned coils of rope. You can just see how he wrote the hanging upside down scene and then said to himself, ?I'd better show them carrying some rope to hang from.? The problem is that the ropes are neatly coiled and how did they get so tangled that they would hang upside down, back to back, in perfect shooting position (cue slo-mo and heavy rock riffs)? One inventive scene had Willem Dafoe walking through the explanation of a shooting scene next to the brothers as it is happening as if he were superimposed (cue slo-mo and heavy rock riffs). But Duffy blows that one by having Dafoe have some sort breakdown at the end. He reprises his falling to his knees, arms in the air climax from Platoon. Dafoe's FBI investigator however, is the only interesting character in the film. The rest are strictly one dimensional cut-outs. The brother's motivation is a mystery, except for an opening scene kissing the feet of Christ on the cross and shots of their rosary beads. Did Jesus say ?Go thee and kill all bad men.?? After that they indiscriminately blow away any lowlifes they come across, even though their mafia errand boy partner is as much or more of a lowlife than any of the people they kill. -- One star for getting something this bad financed and one for Willem Dafoe.

ykf 483620:

Wow. This movie is absurdly bad. How anyone could like this over-reaching action film is amazing. Boondock Saints is basically about these two brothers who decide one day to just go around killing anyone they deem evil in the world. The movie plays like it was made by an over-testosterized thirteen year old boy with huge slow motion gun battles in which no one gets hit and only the bad die. Then there are other elements which are just absurd: quick example, Willem Dafoe's detective character dancing around a crime scene to opera... ridiculous! Stuff that's so out there that it's even beyond comic book violence. I would not recommend this movie to anyone and can't believe that I watched it all the way through.

itp 1591997:

For a movie like this to work you have to identify with the Characters. I didn't. Didn't know what their motivation was (wasn't revenge, financial gain, revenge for killing family member, relious belief's, etc). I just sat and watched wondering what these basic hitmen risked their lives for. Strangely William Defoe's Character was more interesting. The blatant violence couldn't cover for the inadequate storyline.

MJOC:

Shame on ******* for not allowing this film in wide screen format. Also they do not allow their own name in any criticism. The star indicate our host, Net****

Dee NJ:

While unbelievable, we have all had these thoughts. I got so caught up in this movie and the message, I went right there with them! Totally violent but, funny and heart- rendering at the same time. Wilem Dafoe's greatest performance!!! The twists and turns are fantastic. Much in the genre of Resivour Dogs. Well done!

Kevin & Rebecca:

Quite possibly one of the dumbest, most poorly acted, movies I've ever seen. What a waste of time.

PrinceMike:

It is a shame this movie went straight to video. Brilliant work by the director. It's every bit as hip and stylish as Pulp Fiction. In fact, I think it is a better movie all around. You know something is good when a whole underground of word-of-mouth fans form. Check out one of the many Boondock Saints fan Sites on the web to see what I mean. A sequel is in the works.

Roadkill:

Though I must disagree with a number of the reviewers when they say there is something for everybody in this film... It does have a lot of funny moments that hold up well to repeated (and party) viewings of this film. I will, however, say that this film could have benefited from much better dialogue and editing in some parts. Especially the end courthouse scene, which drags on too long to the point to where it becomes uncomfortable and anticlimatic. I believe the comparisons to "Pulp Fiction" are completely unreasonable. While this is a film that does have its "ultra violent" and "time shifting" moments... it is done in its own way (and more often for comedy) than compared to Tarantino's style. Boondock Saints is about vigilante justice, not watching a bunch of screw-ups trying to make a bad situation better but only end up making it worse with their fates all intertwined (as often seen in Tarantino's films.) An admirable first-time effort by Director Troy Duffy... and probably one of Willem Dafoe's funniest and most understated performances. It would have been too easy for him to play an extrememly over-the-top and swishy queen. A good rental for a DVD watching party fun.