Read Positive User Reviews for Brawl in Cell Block 99

7

Rebecca31Oct 25, 2017

Bradley's life is pretty terrible right now. He's lost his job, things at home aren't the best so he turns to the only thing he can to make money. Drug running. Unfortunately this doesn't play out well for poor Bradley (not a spoiler look atBradley's life is pretty terrible right now. He's lost his job, things at home aren't the best so he turns to the only thing he can to make money. Drug running. Unfortunately this doesn't play out well for poor Bradley (not a spoiler look at the poster) and he winds up in prison. Everything before the prison scenes seemed a little too drawn out and bland for me but when it finally gets to the much-anticipated brawl you will not be disappointed. This certainly doesn't shy away from the violence. If you're in need of a good action movie then look no further.

Ultra violent, every bone breaking and skull crushing moment is deafening. You want to look away but can't. The tension is constantly building and the sense of dread is only matched by the extreme violence. Shockingly gritty and very memorable, not to mention it's the best performance from Vince Vaughn you may ever see. Recommended if you enjoy skull crushing action.… Expand

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8

BrianMcCriticJan 7, 2018

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a throwback of action films gone by. Dirty, gritty, down right brutal makes this a captivating bare knuckles thriller. Vince Vaughn is also the best he's ever been. A-

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9

RoutineViewingOct 19, 2017

Bradley Thomas (Vince Vaughn) is a simple man. Go to work, provide for your wife, leave your past demons behind you. For the most part, he does a pretty great job at that. He’s got a decent job, he’s got a supportive wife, and he’s checkedBradley Thomas (Vince Vaughn) is a simple man. Go to work, provide for your wife, leave your past demons behind you. For the most part, he does a pretty great job at that. He’s got a decent job, he’s got a supportive wife, and he’s checked his alcoholism and violent tendencies at the door a long time ago. Then he loses his job. This doesn’t phase Bradley too much. He understands business is business and walks away with his head held high. When he returns home to find his wife, Lauren (Jennifer Carpenter), in the car and ready to leave him for another man, he cracks. This is personal, and in response Bradley rips apart Lauren’s car piece by piece with his bare hands. He is a giant, hulking beast, but only when he allows himself to be. Having released all of his anger, he goes inside to have a very calm conversation with his wife. They decide that they want to start over and rebuild their life together. Bradley can be a very violent man, but he knows when to fight and when he needs to relax. Brawl in Cell Block 99, the movie revolving around him, follows the cues of its star. It’s reluctant to be violent and knows when to hold its punches. But whenever it finally does decide to throw down, it’s a real knockout. After deciding to restart his life, things actually begin pretty well for Bradley. He and Lauren are expecting a baby, with a better relationship than ever. His work as a drug runner for his friend, Gil (Marc Blucas), has given him a means to provide above and beyond for his growing family. It all comes crashing down again when Gil goes into business with a new cartel head, whose men botch a delivery and open fire on the pursuing cops. It is here that Bradley finally unleashes his violence onto others, turning on the cartel to save the cops. This decision results in his arrest and a stretch of prison time. Things go from bad to worse when the head of the cartel, looking to seek revenge, has Lauren kidnapped. For her release, Bradley has to cooperate. There’s an inmate the cartel wants dead who’s held in Redleaf Maximum Security Prison. The only problem is that Bradley is currently in the minimum security prison. To reach his target, he’s going to have to do what he does best: fight.

For a movie titled Brawl in Cell Block 99, there’s very little actual brawling. Director S. Craig Zahler has his sights set on something much deeper and personal. The violence in the film comes out in very sparse and quick bursts. Bradley is so skilled and disinterested in all of the violence, there’s a matter-of-factness to many of the fight sequences. This is very much a character study of a man trying to do right, who is wronged at every possible opportunity. These deep, powerful themes are supplemented with some great grindhouse, genre fare. The threat against Bradley isn’t just his wife’s life. It’s that an abortionist will surgically remove the limbs of his unborn daughter. It runs the danger of feeling out of place, but it’s such a specific danger, handled so deftly that it actually feels more dangerous than simple life-or-death stakes. The violence also gets pulpier the further Bradley goes through the prison system, but by the time the film gets there, it feels earned and in no way exploitive. All of these elements are ingredients to a great film, but it would all fall apart if not anchored by the dazzling performance of Vince Vaughn. Making a home as the wise-ass comedy lead for many years, Vaughn has made the turn toward serious fare as of late. A leading role in the disastrous second season of True Detective and a supporting role in the Oscar-nominated Hacksaw Ridge haven’t succeeded in showcasing his talents. With Brawl, Vaughn has found the best role of his career and turned in one of the year’s greatest performances. He fully inhabits this role and throws himself into the character so completely. Like Bradley, Vaughn knows when to pull his punches and when to throw them. He plays everything calm, knowing his imposing body can do most of the talking. When he does let loose, it’s an emotional wallop to the gut.

While there is a lot to love, Brawl is not a perfect film. It does drag in certain parts. While overall the conclusion works wonderfully, the final image it decides to end on doesn’t feel like a good representation of the powerful drama at work throughout the rest of the film.

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a simple film, but it knows how to pack a punch. There’s a scene when Bradley first gets to prison and is given a strip search. One of the guards inspects his manhood and remarks, “He’s an A-.” That sounds about right.… Expand

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10

NatoHoroDec 23, 2017

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Will never miss one of S. Craig Zahler work. Great movie.

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9

TryASummersaultNov 30, 2017

Vaughn is a one man wrecking ball full of unstoppable vengeance in this amazingly brutal film full of vigor and no holds barred violence. There's a great story as well in this about going to any lengths to protect who you love no matter what.Vaughn is a one man wrecking ball full of unstoppable vengeance in this amazingly brutal film full of vigor and no holds barred violence. There's a great story as well in this about going to any lengths to protect who you love no matter what. The shot composition was impeccable and you really feel like an inmate in these bleak prison environments with immersive detail in every shot. This film flew under the radar much like Bone Tomahawk, but Zahler is quickly becoming a writer/director to watch with some of the most visually striking films of late. Vaughn also deserves a huge amount of credit for showing vast versatility in this role with tremendous physical prowess and great characterization.… Expand

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9

johntechwriterJan 31, 2018

When I found out this prison movie was directed by the same guy who did Bone Tomahawk — S. Craig Zahler — I fired it up immediately on Prime Video. I was not disappointed. Zahler does for the tough-guy movie what Bone Tomahawk did for theWhen I found out this prison movie was directed by the same guy who did Bone Tomahawk — S. Craig Zahler — I fired it up immediately on Prime Video. I was not disappointed. Zahler does for the tough-guy movie what Bone Tomahawk did for the western: amps things up beyond anything you’ve seen before and gets away with it due to (a) superb writing; (b) beautiful camera work; and (c) brilliant acting throughout, spearheaded by a knockout performance by Vince Vaughn. You will not be reminded of his character in “Swingers,” I assure you. Ultra violent but always with a nod and a wink. Scene after scene you dare the author to top himself and when he always does you are entertained despite the extreme political incorrectness of it all. Whatever this newcomer Zahler comes up with next, I’m going to the Cineplex to see it, something I rarely do anymore. He writes as well as directs and his films have a satirical edge most American audiences won’t get. Which is their problem.… Expand

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8

Angel1711Feb 3, 2018

Yep, I've logged in to metacritic to leave the review, this film made quite an impression on me, though i would have rated it 10, if not for so much gory violent messy crap... definitely not for the sensitive type, it left me shivering,Yep, I've logged in to metacritic to leave the review, this film made quite an impression on me, though i would have rated it 10, if not for so much gory violent messy crap... definitely not for the sensitive type, it left me shivering, literally, and for that i somewhat regret to have watched it. On the other hand i never knew Vince was such an amazing actor, i honestly take my hat off, bravo. And i am glad i wasn't dissapointed in the end, but really wish it wasn't so gory, yikes.… Expand

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8

Roger1718Dec 27, 2017

Despite some poor visual effects (most probaby related to budget) and some lazy executions with the dialogue, this movie was everything it needed to be. Vince Vaugh's performance was quite exceptional, perfectly mixing with the tone of theDespite some poor visual effects (most probaby related to budget) and some lazy executions with the dialogue, this movie was everything it needed to be. Vince Vaugh's performance was quite exceptional, perfectly mixing with the tone of the movie. If you have time, go take a watch at this one.… Expand

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9

iamIamOct 9, 2017

Incredibly violent movie, in ways that will make you uncomfortable. This movie is an insane change for Vince Vaughn. This is a dark, angry, brutal Vince Vaughn, not the typical campy Vince Vaughn. Well-acted and directed with sharp dialougue.Incredibly violent movie, in ways that will make you uncomfortable. This movie is an insane change for Vince Vaughn. This is a dark, angry, brutal Vince Vaughn, not the typical campy Vince Vaughn. Well-acted and directed with sharp dialougue. This is a quality grindhouse movie. The violence is reminiscent of Zahler's first film, Bone Tomahawk. Although that film's violence comes mostly in the end of the movie, this film has extreme violence all the way through the movie.… Expand

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7

JLuis_001Oct 26, 2017

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a reinvention for its protagonist, Vince Vaughn not so much for its director, I honestly prefer Bone Tomahawk, but certainly it's necessary to give credit to both of them for trying a film that few will see butBrawl in Cell Block 99 is a reinvention for its protagonist, Vince Vaughn not so much for its director, I honestly prefer Bone Tomahawk, but certainly it's necessary to give credit to both of them for trying a film that few will see but without a doubt fans of the genre will enjoy because in a certain way there is nothing surprising or spectacular in this movie but there is enough quality to justify its existence.… Expand

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7

afiawardsJan 5, 2018

I was not expecting this movie to be as good as it was. It seemed like a cheap movie with a slightly relevant but aging movie star in the title role, but it was much more than that. "Brawl in Cell Block 99" is an extremely entertaining movie.I was not expecting this movie to be as good as it was. It seemed like a cheap movie with a slightly relevant but aging movie star in the title role, but it was much more than that. "Brawl in Cell Block 99" is an extremely entertaining movie. Vince Vaughn is fantastic as the leading man in this movie, and no other actor could have done it better than he does. This movie is sort of cheap. The lighting is downright terrible, and many of the technical aspects of the movie aren't great. But it is still a very entertaining action-thriller. Despite the fairly low budget for this film, the action sequences are shot very well, and brutally captured. This is one of the most entertaining movies of 2017, and I highly recommend that anyone see it.… Expand

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8

Compi24Jul 21, 2020

What starts out as a seemingly grounded take on one man dealing with a legal slip-up quickly descends into a bombastic, brutal and unwaveringly entertaining love letter to the grindhouse films of yore. "Brawl In Cell Block 99" findsWhat starts out as a seemingly grounded take on one man dealing with a legal slip-up quickly descends into a bombastic, brutal and unwaveringly entertaining love letter to the grindhouse films of yore. "Brawl In Cell Block 99" finds writer/director S. Craig Zahler at his most intense and lead performer Vince Vaughn at his most charismatic and imposing. This is one of those movies you just look back at and marvel at, thinking, "that entire sequence of events happened in the same movie?" Movies this unique — and not to mention filmmakers with this specific of a voice and style — don't come around very often. Consider me honed in on whatever S. Craig Zahler has next in the proverbial chamber.… Expand

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10

mbelizecApr 7, 2023

Great movie with Dante Alighieri type plot. Like it very much. Life is life, sometimes you get, sometimes you lose. Some people just lose all the time.

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8

timoneApr 28, 2019

I don't think people have heard of this film but I can recommend it if I can watch it first or tell them that I've been watching it along with the other films. Brawl in Cell Block 99 had it's reputation for making the violence look gratuitousI don't think people have heard of this film but I can recommend it if I can watch it first or tell them that I've been watching it along with the other films. Brawl in Cell Block 99 had it's reputation for making the violence look gratuitous in the sense that it is brutal. I think that it's directed by S. Craig Zahler and much like Quentin Tarantino, I think he's now known for making the violence look so real that the audience would react to it and get shocked by them in his films.

A retired boxer named Bradley Thomas played by Vince Vaughn loses his job as an auto mechanic, and his troubled marriage is about to expire. At this crossroads in his life, he feels that he has no better option than to work for an old buddy as a drug courier. This improves his situation until the terrible day that he finds himself in a gunfight between a group of police officers and his own ruthless allies.

Now I'll get to something that really shocked me the first time I've watched this movie and that is the violence. Now I know that it's intense but it is brutal in many levels every time Vince Vaughn is starting to fight in the most gratuitous way. The one scene after an hour is that caught my reaction is where he broke the guard's arm giving him a fracture and I thought I got over the broken bones. But hey, I did. There are many disturbing fights that he's done is so gruesome and gritty, it makes me and you want to cringe. I know what you're thinking: "Why did you watch it?" Well, because I'm interested. But watching it again I got over the grittiness and gruesomeness and I think this is quite a good film. Now for the director S. Craig Zahler, he's the director who directed Bone Tomahawk starring Kurt Russell and the recent Dragged Across Concrete starring Mel Gibson and the same cast who starred in Brawl in Cell Block 99. The only film I'm interested in watching is Dragged Across Concrete because it stars my favourite actor, Mel Gibson and I heard that it's going to be violent just like Brawl in Cell Block 99 so I hope I'll get around to watching it, but as is, that is it. If you're interested in watching Brawl in Cell Block 99 just like I did, I hope you'll be able to like it just like I already did.… Expand

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7

CoKronakanOct 25, 2018

This movie really felt empty from the movie's message perspective , but the action and every other aspects felt it up. Vince really did a great job delivering his brutal, gritty character. But the rest of the performance lacks a little ofThis movie really felt empty from the movie's message perspective , but the action and every other aspects felt it up. Vince really did a great job delivering his brutal, gritty character. But the rest of the performance lacks a little of devotion and creativity. The script and the director's style is as average as it gets, or even slightly below average, also the character writing and development was lazy. The sound effects where great, and the music fit in just so right that it made it all grotesque, and fun to watch. But the gory visual where a little off, but every single time a surprise so that was good, although it looked a little rough around the edges and certainly could have been a lot more polished. The plot rather lackluster, but there are fresh welcomed twists and turn of events. The message is simply representing the (I would say:)'HARD' life of simple Americans, who are just but still treated unjust. Overall it's a good movie but there are certain elements that are really missing from giving over the whole picture, and are holding back the movie.… Expand

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7

OH_RickNMortyAug 21, 2018

A very refreshing violent film compared to most action/thrillers. The fight scenes were both realistic and gritty, and were still able to be choreographed fantastically. I can’t wait for Zahler’s next film - “Dragged Across Concrete”. 7/10.

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8

OnaskNov 11, 2018

Segunda película de S. Craig Zahler que veo, después de la maravillosa Bone Tomahawk. Si bien la otra me pareció soberbia, Brawl in Cell Block 99 no alcanza el nivel de la previamente mencionada, aunque no queda lejos tampoco. Por lo poco queSegunda película de S. Craig Zahler que veo, después de la maravillosa Bone Tomahawk. Si bien la otra me pareció soberbia, Brawl in Cell Block 99 no alcanza el nivel de la previamente mencionada, aunque no queda lejos tampoco. Por lo poco que he visto de la carrera del director, le encanta jugar con la sobriedad y la tensión de las imágenes, y en esta cinta lo hace de manera estupenda: nunca sabes que demonios va a ocurrir a continuación. Vaughn brilla en su papel así como Carpenter y Don Johnson. Cuenta con una fotografía impecable sabiendo manejar la gran cantidad de escenas oscuras con poca luz a la perfección. Este noir de serie B tarda un buen rato en arrancar, casi la mitad del metraje, de hecho; pero cuando lo hace te pega al asiento y no te deja respirar: cada escena es impredecible y no sabes cómo va a acabar ninguna situación.

En conclusión, Brawl In Cell Block 99 es una cinta realizada con cuatro duros, de una calidad soberbia que te mantendrá pegado/a al asiento durante las 2h y pico de duración. Recomendada.… Expand

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7

ChrisNortonAug 7, 2023

A fun and original watch for Vince Vaughn's tough-guy performance, with plenty of dark humor and graphic violence that ultimately divulges into a campy grindhouse film by the end. Awesome seeing Vince Vaughn as Bradley Thomas and even greaterA fun and original watch for Vince Vaughn's tough-guy performance, with plenty of dark humor and graphic violence that ultimately divulges into a campy grindhouse film by the end. Awesome seeing Vince Vaughn as Bradley Thomas and even greater with writer/director S. Craig Zahler guiding the story. Although flawed in parts and a bit campy, appreciated the originality and the story and has enough emotional weight to keep you hooked throughout. Bradley's impossible mission in prison keeps building with introductions of fun characters and cameos along the way.

Setting, Conflict, Character, Dialogue, Theme, Plot, and Climax: C+

Runtime: 2:12

Audience Engagement (do you feel runtime): No

Top Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller (Fiction)

Genre(s) rating Action - 8 Crime - 6 Drama - 6 Thriller - 7

Genre Average Score: 6.75 Directing: 7 Cinematography/lighting: 7 Story/Narrative: 6 Structure: 6 Dialogue: 7 Score(music): 7 Editing: 7 Acting: 7 Characterization: 7 Mise en Scène/Visual Design: 6 Visual Effects: 5 Costumes/Makeup: 6 Lasting Impact: 7 Originality: 8

Overall: 6.65… Expand

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