Бандос (2018) Online

Bad writing, cliché dialogues and incredibly flat characters lead to wretched performances by otherwise good actors like Matteo Simoni.

Belgian directors Adil el Arbi and Bilall Fallah made 2 good relatively good movies before this one: Image and Black. Yet Gangsta/Patser is a absolute mess. The story is all over the place, the characters are depicted as lowlifes who are unable to do anything meaningful but bark at each other and repeat lines from cult movies as Scarface over and over and over. It has been a long time since I watched a movie with characters as flat as the ones in this film.

El Arbi and Fallah really missed a chance of making a great movie here that would put themselves and lead actor Matteo Simoni in the spotlight. In some sort they actually did this, but not in a positive way.

The writing is okay, albeit cliché, and I enjoyed the Morrocon Belgian culture since I grew up with a lot of Morrocon Belgians. Matteo Simoni however was really unconvincing as a Morrocon. Like, think James Franco in Spring Breakers unconincing. Not even mentioning his really forced accent; They also tried to kinda imitate the neon-y vaporwave feeling but they only did it like 3 times which made it feel really out of place, as the rest of the movie didn't fit the same "neon" feel.

The story was okay but I got kinda put off by how forced the whole thing felt. I feel like some of the cast just didn't fit at all. They wouldn't found better people to play the main guys just walking through the Sleepstraat once.

'Gangsta' tells the tale of four friends who are out to make a quick buck. What better way than to deal coke in Antwerp, Belgium, the so-called coke capital of Europe. In doing so the four dealers trigger a war between them, two Amsterdam drug lords and a Colombian cartel.

Adamo (Matteo Simoni), the main character and his three buddies look and behave like gangsters but are far from it. To them their new way of making fast money is a fantasy and that's what directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah want to make you feel. They glorify the whole gangster life and it shines through in the distinctive look of the film. It's a different take on the classic gangster movies but that doesn't mean it's better. While 'Scarface' is being referenced a couple of times the movie has more in common with Michael Bay's 'Pain & Gain'.

It all looks and sounds flashy but there's little underneath that shiny surface. The plot is rather simple and the characters are flat and sometimes downright annoying. The directors pull all sorts of tricks (visual and with the narrative) to blow you away but eventually it's overkill. El Arbi and Fallah have shown with their two previous movies ('Image' and 'Black') that they're capable of making dark gritty movies. I get that they want to show that they have more up their sleeve (the duo wants to break through in the US) but sometimes less is more. Take away half an hour of the runtime and it would have been easier to digest.

Although all the blitz and glam can't hide the shortcomings of the movie it's still quite a fun ride. I can see it doing well among youngsters.

Kudos to Matteo Simoni who really shines as Adamo. Simoni who is known more for his comedy parts in Belgium is quite impressive. Debuting Nora Gharib is a gem and Dutch rapper Ali B is a great addition as the twisted Hassan Kamikaze.

A fast-paced drug-fuelled urban story. Unlike any other film in Belgian cinema history this flick keeps the finger on the pulse aiming at a young audience. The rumor mill spun out of control as the directors were linked to big budget action movies but with this one they obviously want to follow in the footsteps of Martin Scorsese, and did a great job. Speedy cuts, voice-over story telling and raw humour will have uncle Marty in stitches, the Wolf of Wall Street is never far off. Foreign viewers will miss out on the true crime references but be aware; 75% of the events portrayed actually happened in Belgium & Holland in the 2010s. Some minor stuttering in the tempo and unnecessary twists & turns in the plot keep this from getting a straight A.

As an inhabitant of Antwerp I can say this movie really captured the coke culture in the city. There are some nice insider jokes in the movie referring to real situations (the cops ripping off illegal immigrants, the stolen Colombian coke that set of a drug war) and characters (the black Amsterdam dealer,), so the script ain't no fantasy. All this mixed with an eighties pop/neon/Miami Vice-shooting makes this one of the best action movies I've seen in a long time.

I don't understand people talking crap about this movie. It is one of the best acting in Belgian movie history. Brought to you by Adil & Bilal. The same guys that are about to produce Bad Boys 3... It is well written based on true events.

Ok ok, I am a local.... But you have to admit: good music, great style, bad ass cutting, nice dialogues, real local slang and locations and some good twists!

Great story, perfect performances, amazing actors and a killer soundtrack ! Must watch.

I never thought I would write a review on imdb, but this movie convinced me to do so.It was all hyped up by the locals and I was kind of excited to see it.

The foul language, the jokes, the characters are just not entertaining.It just is not your time worth. I don't have any other words than bad for this movie. It is really trashy.

One of the best action movies I've seen a long time. Patser knows what it is, an action movie, and know what it wants, to entertain people, and does both things brilliantly.

The performances are stellar, especially Matteo Simoni's, and the visual style is electrifying. I can't watch it again!

Bad movie with too much use of the word cancer. I hate this.

The movie has a pretty good storyline. The special effects were on point.

Too bad, as a Dutch I couldn't understand what they are saying even tho they talk Dutch.. they also use words I wouldn't use. It's too cringe for me.

Don't watch. You will be sorry for wasting that time. Better watch new jack city for the 100.000.000nd time!