A great Australian movie, Chopper is loosely based on the autobiography of career crim Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, whose attention-seeking mix of psychotic violence and matey ingratiation made him an outcast even in the underworld and finally--with bizarre logic--turned him into a bestselling celebrity without any need for repentance and regeneration. Andrew Dominik, a music video maven making his directorial debut, wrestles the unpromising material into shape, using a striking palette of blues inside prison and sickly neons outside, wisely building the film around a terrific lead performance from stand-up comedian Eric Bana as the crook who had his own ears hacked away so he could get off a prison wing where he was marked for death and whose forceful personality means that he can always rekindle a relationship even with those to whom he has done dreadful violence in the past and whom he certainly intends to shoot, batter, rob and betray in the future--with the mildly redeeming caveat that he sometimes drives his victims to the hospital after injuring them. The movie has a lot of smart incidental detail, like the paranoid dealer who doses his dogs' water with speed, the ridiculous mix-up of an assassination set up in the wrong car park of a nightclub that has two, and Chopper's repeated mood swings in the middle of lengthy dialogue scenes that begin with conciliation and apology and pay off with doubts and eruptions of violence that leave the perpetrator genuinely regretful of what has happened.
The nicely presented DVD features excised scenes, footage that Dominik shot with the real Chopper, commentary tracks from Dominik and Chopper and the trailer. --Kim Newman
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
A short sharp film This is a well-made biopic of Mark 'Chopper' Read, an extremely violent Australian criminal who has gone on to become a successful writer. The story, although based on 'Choppers' own books has been spiced up for the film, so some of the events depicted may never have happened. That said its an adrenalin filled film which never lets up in its intensity, which is mostly down to a superb performance by Eric Bana. His portrayal captures the schzoid nature of 'Chopper' who after shooting you, was just as likely... more info
A Great Crime Movie .... very funny too. If you like your crime movies, especially with a tint of humour, you'll love this. Eric Banna players real life criminal Mark Brandon 'Copper' Read. An ex-conn turned vigilante .... or at least thats how he protrays himself, but his own words "You know me, I never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn". Eric Banna is sensational as Chopper. He is completely believable in the role and captures the humour of Chopper perfectly aswell as his menace too. The supporting cast are also top quality and all are... more info
CHOPPER'S GOT HIS CHOPPER OUT!! Brillant film from start to finish there is no point going on BUY IT come and join the Chopper fan club you won't regret it.
In my top ten of all time This is such a ridiculously brilliant DVD and its always for sale at ridiculously cheap prices in supermarkets (currently £2 at Tesco) that I always want to grab the person standing next to me and tell them to buy it. I can never understand why its always so cheap - do they not realise how good this film is? Not only is the film pure genius, but the extras are brilliant too. Join the secret club of Chopper fans - you won't regret it.
![Chopper [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516FK44YEZL._SL160_.jpg)
