The Crimson Rivers

Starring:Jean Reno, Vincent Cassel, Nadia FarÃ¨s, Dominique Sanda, Karim Belkhadra, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Didier Flamand, FranÃ§ois Levantal, Francine BergÃ©, Philippe Nahon, Laurent Lafitte, Robert Gendreu, Christophe Bernard, Nicky Naude, Tonio Descanvelle, Olivier Rousset, FranÃ§oise Loreau, Vincent Tulli, Nicolas Koretzky, Sami Zitouni
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Legendary police commissioner Niémans (Jean Reno) travels to a remote university village in the Alps to solve a grisly murder while hotheaded Lieutenant Kerkerian (Hate's Vincent Cassel) is investigating the desecration of the tomb of a young girl killed in an auto accident 20 years ago. When the detectives discover that the incidents are related, they reluctantly join forces. The Crimson Rivers looks French but feels American. If it doesn't hit the heights of The Silence of the Lambs or Seven, it bests many of the thrillers that have followed in their wake. Mathieu Kassovitz directs as if this were high art, which is actually to the film's benefit: the cast is terrific (including Jean-Pierre Cassel, Vincent's father), the cinematography is stunning, and the classy score evokes The Exorcist. Although the mountaintop showdown at the end doesn't quite work, The Crimson Rivers is still a superior entrant into an increasingly overcrowded genre. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous over the top fun..........2007-06-24

This is what movies are really all about! Crimson Rivers is a slick bloody thriller starring international mega stars Vincent Cassel and Jean Reno who make a terrific pairing as cop and investigator who's paths cross while trying to solve a horrific murder. The chemistry between actors is right-on as they team up together digging to uncover a ridiculously wonderful labyrinthine plot in search of the truth.
With it's big budget sleek aesthetic, "Rivers" is absolutely gorgeous to watch; meticulous and cinematic in lush European settings. The plot has a touch of everything including ample doses of horror, noir, cop buddy picture, thriller, etc. but at it's heart it's really a throwback to the European "gialli" of the 60's & 70's; a convoluted spider web whodunit full of twists, turns and red herrings that will leave the viewer guessing until the tail end. All the "giallo" signatures are here: a breathtaking setting (a private college at the base of the Alps), palpable atmosphere layered on thick, gore-a-plenty, the mandatory car chase, a hooded unseen killer, and of course the story itself which won't be disclosed here, but really, the list goes on and on; essentially everything but the kitchen sink is used to good measure.
"Rivers" helped to kick start the French "thriller" renaissance; a strong example of how the French continue to make better thrillers than anyone in the world. This may be a tad too sophisticated for American audiences and those unfamiliar with "gialli" may find this slightly ludicrous. However, for those that want a riveting thrill ride with some serious chills, this is a cadeaux of perfection.

TERROR IN THE ALPS.......2007-05-23

Director Mathieu Kassovitz whose movie La Haine (Criterion Collection) has just entered the prestigious Criterion collection, co-wrote and directed THE CRIMSON RIVERS, based on Jean-Christophe Grangé's Blood-Red Rivers, in 2000. Mathieu Kassovitz, like Luc Besson and a few others, belongs to this new generation of French directors who try to deliver films shot "à la Hollywood" without losing their particular and local specificities.

I liked a lot the first half-hour of THE CRIMSON RIVERS with its tragic and heavy mood and its flamboyant direction but I am a little less convinced by the second half of the film as soon as it becomes a buddy movie in the LETHAL WEAPON style. Too many references or hommages to American films, too many easy jokes and sometimes almost laughable dialogues. But, all in all, THE CRIMSON RIVERS is a movie I sincerely recommend to those of you who aren't satisfied any more with the actual Hollywood production.

A DVD zone it's French but it's not boring.

Not bad at all........2007-05-07

French movie industry is not all about black & white artsy fartsy. This movie proves it one more time. Grange's bestseller was great, and this movie tries and catches some of its athmosphere.

Just like your favorite horror/thriller book on a TV screen.......2006-06-10

Watching this movie made me think of what a wonderful book it would make! It had mystery, gruesome murders, great humor, action, fantastic landscape of the Alps and it was twists and turns of intrigue and a guessing game of "who did it?" But don't get me wrong, I loved it as a movie, just that it reminds me of the type of horror books I always read.

Jean Reno has always been one of my favorite actors, his cold stare, that pointy nose, the sarcasm and that ticking brain are always a great pairing when he plays a cop on a trail of hot murders. He is joined in this movie by Vincent Cassel who was brilliant in Brotherhood of The Wolf but he was insanely witty and funny while kicking some criminal booty in this one. As the viewer we get to see these two cops who start of working on two separate cases come together smack center in a middle of a mystery. Reno follows a slew of mutilated corpses with no eyes and their hand cut off while Cassel investigates a tomb disgraced by spray painted swastikas. It seems that the girl who was dead is walking among the living but that is not entirely the case. And when Reno runs into someone who looks just like the dead girl things get even trickier. The person who they search for is both a target and a suspect.

The concept of "Crimson Rivers" and it's sequel ; "Crimson Rivers, Angels of Apocalypse" is very interesting. It has to do with purification of the blood, and of breeding "perfect" human species. How that is tied to this story is not something I can tell, for spoiling a movie or a book is a huge crime!

All I can say is that the views of the Alps are breathtaking, the action is tight, there's fighting and chases, and so many twists and turns in the mystery that the end is a sweet reward. Fun movie if you want to spend a nice afternoon in from of the TV, wrapped in a warm blanket watching the snowy scenery and solving the puzzle along with our heroes.
I would also recommend the sequel which I watched twice all ready which was even better but very different in comparison to they way this was done.

THE PLOT THICKENS..A LITTLE TOO MUCH.......2006-03-22

The two CRIMSON RIVERS films (the other is ANGELS OF THE APOCALYPSE) have a lot in common: they have the talented Jean Reno as the battle-wearied investigator, and they are filmed lusciously and atmospherically. They both also have rather intricate plots which are sometimes hard to follow, but resolve leaving you wondering if you REALLY know what went on. But one can't deny their brooding excellence in terms of production values. This one also stars the moody Vincent Cassel as a policeman who finds that the desecration of a child's tomb may coincide with the grisly murders Reno is trying to solve. An elite university seems to be at the core of the crimes, and both investigators work gamely to solve their respective crimes.
A good movie, if a little too involved.

Crimson Rivers - Angels of the Apocalypse (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

ANGELS WITH DIRTY WINGS
More Crimson Rivers...
Sweet way to spend an afternoon
Excellent - BUT - allow extra time for viewing - good script*
Film is as unbalanced as the killer in it...

Crimson Rivers - Angels of the Apocalypse (Special Edition)
Starring: Jean Reno , Benoît Magimel , Christopher Lee , Camille Natta , and Johnny Hallyday
Director: Olivier Dahan
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Detectives | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Crimson Rivers
Empire of the Wolves
Wasabi (Ws Sub Dol)
Le Dernier Combat
Leon - The Professional (Deluxe Edition)

ASIN: B0007KZQ9S
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Amazon.com

French sensation The Crimson Rivers was a serial killer thriller with a difference--it was genuinely thrilling. It was also pretty disturbing, but Jean Reno (The Professional) brought some light to the darkness with his sly performance as dog-phobic detective Niémans. Fortunately, Reno has returned in this highly stylized Luc Besson-penned sequel. Vincent Cassell has not, but Benoît Magimel (The Piano Teacher), as new partner Reda, makes for a decent replacement. Alas, Olivier Dahan isn't in the same league as Matthieu Kassovitz and the story line, which has something to do with the Last Supper, the Maginot Line, and gravity-defying killer monks, is even more convoluted than before. Then there's Johnny Hallyday (The Man on the Train) as a mysterious one-eyed man and Christopher Lee (The Lord of the Rings) as a bad German dude. It's all a little ridiculous, but entertaining nonetheless, and the chase sequences are a treat. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Jean Reno is back in action as Commissioner Niemans. The body he found in a monastery seems to point to a ritualistic sacrifice and a portent of something strange to come. At the same time, young police captain Reda finds a man in agony who's an exact DNA match for Christ. Reda quickly finds out his case is directly linked to Niemans, but is the Apocalypse really about to begin as all signs seem to indicate?

Customer Reviews:

ANGELS WITH DIRTY WINGS.......2006-03-22

This second CRIMSON RIVERS entry suffers from its predecessor's curse of having too intricate a plot that ultimately doesn't satisfy the viewer with its complex undertones. Jean Reno is back investigating the murders of a cult fashioned after the twelve apostles. Christopher Lee has a smallish role as a demented German out to instigate the Apocalypse. It's all rather confusing but it is done with such flair and finesse, it's an entertaining conundrum at best.

More Crimson Rivers..........2006-01-09

A very good movie, Crimson Rivers-Angels of the Apocalypse, sheds light on a series of horrendous murders committed in the province of Lorraine near the French-German border. When a pair of investigators team up to solve the mystery they soon realize that all is not as it seems in this quiet and picturesque part of the French countryside...
There are slight hints of Seven, the Ninth Gate, the Da Vinci Code, and the X-Files, so the movie falls into the action/adventure/mystery/thriller/horror type of category.
Jean Reno, Benoit Magimel, Camille Natta, Christopher Lee, and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are outstanding to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows allowing for a highly entertaining movie.
The plot, the setting, and the music are all EXCELLENT.
Overall, it is a movie definitely worth watching, as it is one of those films that gets you and keeps you thinking long after it's over! 4½ Stars

Sweet way to spend an afternoon.......2005-11-20

I saw this while visiting family in Poland, so it was all ready translated into my language and I could concentrate on the movie instead of reading subtitles.

This movie had murky, creepy and dark foes that were insanely fast and unstoppable. It starts off with a bang and it takes you on a search for the Holy Grail type of a ride with evil superhuman monks, dead bodies, catacombs and monasteries with deep dark secrets.

I sat down and didn't stop paying attention till it was over. Jean Reno is great; you just have to enjoy his presence because he does what he knows well. Also there was a scene where his fellow officer Reda who runs amok chasing this monk and they are running on roofs, trains, jumping off buildings, for like 3 minutes. No strings and computer magic just run out of breath chase. It was amazing; my favorite part of the movie and it really imbedded itself into my head.

Great flick, it has action, suspense, blood and gore, secrets and history; a sweet way to spend an afternoon.

Excellent - BUT - allow extra time for viewing - good script*.......2005-11-03

(Be sure & read my entire opinion before deciding how much YOU will like 'Crimson' -- after all, I do give it 4 stars. The dialogue is way more important than in most films of this genre.)

I remember Jean Reno from "the Professional" which I really liked, otherwise the description of Crimson was not enough to convince me to watch. I am GLAD I did watch! It's a very enjoyable film. The description on the cover and on most reviews I've seen left me thinking this was just another in a long long list of tales in this genre. And it is that -- then again it's much more than that. AND, there are more than enough SURPISES to keep even a cynic like me interested. I watched it again right away -- had to, really, because...

The movie is far easier to watch if you are fluent in French, which I am not. Like all native English-speaking people, I find that Europeans speak a lot faster than do Americans. In Crimson, the actors speak at a very natural pace in fine French. Because it's subtitled in English, however, that makes it impossible to keep up BECAUSE it's also an ACTION movie so that you need to focus first on the action, yet there's a lot of dialogue that you need to read -- and the dialogue is in no way superfluous. That is to say, the dialogue IS important.

Still, it's a VERY GOOD MOVIE, just be aware that you will frequently be reversing the DVD to pick up on many things BECAUSE there are nuances and a surprise or three tucked in there, which also is a GOOD thing. For example, near the very beginning there's something many viewers will find very 'interesting' -- though different people will assign different things to it -- but you'll be reading subtitles, and only catch a hint of it later deep in the movie, which means at some point you may want to go back (It took me 'til the very end of the movie to realize I thought maybe there was 'something' in that scene and then I went back, but even then I needed the dialogue to 'see' what was happening, and I had to watch that scene about a dozen times to be sure what I was seeing. Then again, YOU might very well 'get' it right away! LOL But I doubt it)

*Much as I enjoy the movie I feel a duty to advise you that the translations used in the subtitles frequently are not even close to the French being spoken in the movie. A very well-scripted film like Crimson gets hobbled a bit by a number of poor translations.

ENJOY the movie, allow some extra time for doubling back to pick up on some very interesting things you didn't quite 'get'.

(The reason I put that note at the top is: I am very detail-oriented, so that the less detail-oriented YOU are, the less you will notice any of the things that I took issue with)

Film is as unbalanced as the killer in it..........2005-09-02

The first Crimson Rivers film is pretty entertaining and beautifully filmed; this sequel's plot and the murky production values hobble an otherwise entertaining film.

The story revolves around a series of religiously-themed murders, and a secret cabal of monks. The plot is straight from a Captain America comic book (minus the Red Skull).

If you can get a used copy or rent one, then this film is worth a look.

The Crimson Rivers/Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse

Average customer rating:

Let the buyer beware

The Crimson Rivers/Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse
Starring: Jean Reno , Vincent Cassel , Nadia Farès , Dominique Sanda , and Karim Belkhadra
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz , and Olivier Dahan
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Wasabi (Ws Sub Dol)
Empire of the Wolves
Leon - The Professional (Deluxe Edition)
La Femme Nikita (Special Edition)
Just Visiting

ASIN: B0007KZQA2
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Customer Reviews:

Let the buyer beware.......2005-08-09

The movie itself is very good. Unfortunately, the film was made in French and dubbed in English. The quality of sound is poor. Such much so, that one cannot understand everything that is being said. I thought buying the DVD and using the subtitles in English would make the dialogue easier to follow. Not so. The subtitles do not match what is being said by the actors. They left out descriptions. They rephrase conversations completely. They botch up slang. They did a POOR job. It is amateurish and distracting. Good movie spoiled by shoddy translating.

Average customer rating:

Fabulous over the top fun...
TERROR IN THE ALPS
Not bad at all.
Just like your favorite horror/thriller book on a TV screen
THE PLOT THICKENS..A LITTLE TOO MUCH

The Crimson Rivers [Region 2]
Starring: Jean Reno , Vincent Cassel , Nadia Farès , Dominique Sanda , and Karim Belkhadra
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Crimson Rivers - Angels of the Apocalypse (Special Edition)
Empire of the Wolves
Wasabi (Ws Sub Dol)
The Visitors
Just Visiting

ASIN: B00005N531

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous over the top fun..........2007-06-24

TERROR IN THE ALPS.......2007-05-23

Not bad at all........2007-05-07

French movie industry is not all about black & white artsy fartsy. This movie proves it one more time. Grange's bestseller was great, and this movie tries and catches some of its athmosphere.

Just like your favorite horror/thriller book on a TV screen.......2006-06-10

THE PLOT THICKENS..A LITTLE TOO MUCH.......2006-03-22

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

My Best Friend's Wedding/Steel Magnolias

On The Beat / Man Of The Moment

Father Ted : Complete Box Set

DVD: Robotech - War & Peace (Vol. 5)

Khamoshi