Read Mixed User Reviews for Hell or High Water

6

awalAug 14, 2016

This movie is the Las Vegas strip of cinema. It takes great elements from a huge variety of sources and recreates them in it's own, small world while providing only a minimum of context. They're amusing to see, but like the Eiffel Tower inThis movie is the Las Vegas strip of cinema. It takes great elements from a huge variety of sources and recreates them in it's own, small world while providing only a minimum of context. They're amusing to see, but like the Eiffel Tower in the desert, you know that it's a pale imitation of the original.

That said, this isn't a bad movie, but it's not nearly the masterpiece that the many 90+ critics' scores might lead you to otherwise believe. The entire movie feels like West Texas written and directed by a NYC film student who knows the geography and people only through watching other movies set in the same location. There are so many cliches in the character creation, the dialog and the cinematography that's it's a bit overwhelming, but contained within the individual scenes are plenty of gems that make the movie worthwhile.

Bridges and Birmingham are walking on thread-bare, cop-partner carpet. Pine does his best "Amarillo Raylan Givens" imitation. Every scene is accompanied by some cliched Texas noir soundtrack music. Once in a while I wished for there to be no music so that I could decide myself on the mood of a particular scene. The recurring billboards on the side of the road are about as subtle as a Roadrunner cartoon. There is absolutely no chemistry between Pine and Ben Foster (his movie brother). There's no reason at all to believe that the two of them would be undertaking something like this together.

But as mentioned, there are individual scenes that are poignant, funny, sad and pleasantly incongruous which make this a worthwhile spending of your time and money.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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5

AxeTAug 19, 2016

High hopes for this in the worst summer for movies of all time. Unfortunately it does not deliver. What a let down considering the great word of mouth, solid cast and welcome genre. Jackass critics over-praise yet again here doing nobodyHigh hopes for this in the worst summer for movies of all time. Unfortunately it does not deliver. What a let down considering the great word of mouth, solid cast and welcome genre. Jackass critics over-praise yet again here doing nobody but the makers and themselves a favor! The idiots obviously grade on a curve. Do they give this mild effort a break only because everything else is so piss poor? They're unfit to be giving their worthless opinions on anything.
Jeff Bridges is a very fine actor and one of the great contemporary movie stars. Lifelong fan and he's in my top three favorite movie stars. He's good here and all the funny lines are delivered by his character, but that's about all that's good in this film. The script is weak on story. Low stakes, high boredom with contrived characters in cliché circumstances that have been put on screen countless times. The motivating family backstory is not going to be bought by a thinking audience. Obviously the writer and director were trying to comment on the modern West (actually its Texas here) with their dissertation in the forefront, and the lame story taking the backseat. Major mistake and it never works. If you want to do that then go make a documentary, write a book or become a painter because Hollywood movies should always be about strong narrative. Any kind of message on the nature of things should be sub-text, always! The audience needs a good story and the rest can filter through sub-consciously or even overtly, but the priority must be on story. The rookies behind this either don't get that, or just couldn't come up with the goods. ("Sicario" was a pretty phony and thin movie for that matter.) The tone and craft of this movie are fine and that's what the sheep critics are all flocking around because they are very easily fooled. It's a slow slog building up to nothing much.

Also there is a ridiculous logic flaw in the plot, what little plot there is. And not a flaw but maybe more troubling is a lack of moral subjectivity by the authorship of the film. The anti-hero is nothing new. What is are today's Leftist amoral filmmakers who don't pass judgment on extreme violence but show it matter of factly which is more realistic (except for the ubiquitous blood splatter now in shows and movies which is not realistic most of the time and in some ways the old code movies completely devoid of it are actually more realistic), however less reasonable for an audience looking for meaning. The tone shifts from buddy joking to cold blooded killing by characters the filmmakers intend you to like. That's not the problem. The lack of more of a moral payoff is. The danger is a culture heading for a complete lack of morality in the arts.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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5

haylobosAug 22, 2016

Went in with high expectations but was left unimpressed. The trailer paints the picture of a "Robin Hood Cowboy" tale which is only briefly seen in the cafe setting about 1/4 of the way through the movie. Other than that it seemed tooWent in with high expectations but was left unimpressed. The trailer paints the picture of a "Robin Hood Cowboy" tale which is only briefly seen in the cafe setting about 1/4 of the way through the movie. Other than that it seemed too formulaic and unfortunately this formula has been used way too much. There was nothing new to see here, I didn't feel the movie captured my attention, and would recommend you Redbox this one on a rainy day.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

JamesLAug 27, 2016

A real disappointment. I was expecting plot, characters, substance, and my money's worth. This film has none of those. It is so simple and bland that you begin to think that maybe it is really smart and you are just missing it. No, there isA real disappointment. I was expecting plot, characters, substance, and my money's worth. This film has none of those. It is so simple and bland that you begin to think that maybe it is really smart and you are just missing it. No, there is nothing to miss with this film. Bridges has done this role o many time, the buddy concept has no chemistry here, and the film just takes up time. Nothing new, unique or never been done here. A major disappointment.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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6

gfnyAug 19, 2016

The film was a slight disappointment because it came with such high ratings that I expected an excellent film. It is not, but it is a good film. There is much dialogue which can seem tedious at times but the story line keeps it going.The film was a slight disappointment because it came with such high ratings that I expected an excellent film. It is not, but it is a good film. There is much dialogue which can seem tedious at times but the story line keeps it going. Direction and acting were excellent -- the storyline was good. The critics that gave it about a 65 had it right.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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5

NedRyerson1Jan 21, 2017

Hell or High Water is a contemporary western with nothing new to offer. It tells the story of two bank robber brothers, facing the old, fat and decaying hand of the law. Few things happen across the movie, making it very hard to follow, theHell or High Water is a contemporary western with nothing new to offer. It tells the story of two bank robber brothers, facing the old, fat and decaying hand of the law. Few things happen across the movie, making it very hard to follow, the beginning being the worst part; the western characteristic that defines the film is only noticeable in the climax (and the music), a bit more thrilling and enjoyable. The three main characters are poorly defined mostly superficially. One brother short tempered, not very smart and of unpredictable behavior; the other representing the brain of the gang, with an admirable objective but incoherent parenting; and the near to retirement ranger that wants one last glimpse of adventure. A thing to highlight is the process of recognition that two of these characters go throw as the plot cultivates, and that creates a different outcome however different not in all cases means good. Above all, the performances are interesting, especially Jeff Bridges and Ben Foster, also the photography is classy; but it’s not enough. Don’t mention this film again, come hell or high water.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

HotelCentralApr 10, 2017

The acting is solid but the story is meh. The police spend most of their time engaged in idle banter and do virtually nothing that might be described as "police work" or "investigating" unless you include making wild guesses. TheThe acting is solid but the story is meh. The police spend most of their time engaged in idle banter and do virtually nothing that might be described as "police work" or "investigating" unless you include making wild guesses. The justification for the two brothers committing all kinds of mayhem is slim at best and boils down to the argument that they will lose everything if they don't pay off the mortgage on time. Well, that's a little bit like saying, "Hey, I've got cancer, so it's OK for me to become a vicious druglord because how else am I going to provide for my family after I'm dead."

If that's how your moral compass points the way then you have my condolences.

For me, the high point of the film was what amounted to a comic reenactment of the Northfield, Minnesota, "raid" of 1876 in which most of the James-Younger gang got themselves very nearly shot to pieces by ordinary citizens who grabbed rifles from the local general store.

I do not recommend this film unless you seriously have nothing better to do.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

yezoOct 24, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think it is not a bad movie but not very a good one either. It is going to be controversial because as far as I am concerned, most people like this movie and the casts are famous. (but that does not change how I evaluate this movie)
First of all, spoiler alert. This movie's plot is about someone robbing a few banks and manage to get away from it and be rich at the end. And giving a reason (for his kids) so it can be justified. Basically casually robbed a few banks, killing a few civilians and policemen, and sacrifice his brother. If a lot of American like the plot, I am not surprised why plenty of people support Donald Trump. It is no way this concept make any sense to the rest of the world (America is not world if someone is confused).
Back to the plot, how Toby not being recognised, the cafe lady and 3 cowboys were in the cafe. I could understand the cafe lady might pity Toby by Chris Pine good looking, but surely the 3 cowboys would have recognised him. The car dealer would have recognised him. And the police would also found out he was crossing somewhere very close to the incident where his ID was checked. And only the ranger thinks Toby is the suspect. Anyway, let's settle with the plot.
Acting, the most remarkable actor would be the actress who sold T-bones. The ranger, he is ok, did his character of being a dick, bullying his colleague (again in a justified way so his Mexican colleague would remember him), and he felt sad and joy to take revenge for his death colleague. I suppose there would be some feelings for the ranger character when he went to Toby's place to confront him. Because the ranger thinks and believes Toby is the mastermind behind this thing and should be responsible for the death of his colleague. There might be some acting on those conflicts of the emotions although I could not quite see it (100% because I am not expert in acting).
About filming, the place looks quite pretty, or cinematographic. I suppose I could relate this movie to the style of Revenant. Many pretty sky and landscapes pictures. Unlike the majority preference, I do think the storyline and/or the message behind the movie is more important than those graphics around it. I mean it is nice to have it around. For example, nba2k has good graphics, but gameplay sucks. Hence, nba2k is a **** game. Same principle apply when I watch movies. Nothing against graphics, good to be there, not really upset if it is not there, unless I am watching a documentary.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

shoulderoforionSep 2, 2016

Had it's moments, sure, but mostly seemed the dialogue was adlibed, didn't absolutely hate it, didn't love it. This is definitely one of those movies you should wait til it streams.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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5

RatedRexDec 17, 2016

Another stupid movie that makes no sense. Everything works too conveniently. There are a couple of good scenes, but for the most part, it just meanders along. Worst of all, it whimpers to an unsatisfactory conclusion that you will have toAnother stupid movie that makes no sense. Everything works too conveniently. There are a couple of good scenes, but for the most part, it just meanders along. Worst of all, it whimpers to an unsatisfactory conclusion that you will have to suspend all common sense in order to believe. It is amazing that the critics loved this movie so much. It is easily the most overrated movie of the year.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

saintdeckyFeb 2, 2017

I went into this movie with very high expectations. I have just seen it even though it had been out for nearly half a year, and have gotten countless recommendations for this movie, as well as seeing lots of positive reviews for it. The movieI went into this movie with very high expectations. I have just seen it even though it had been out for nearly half a year, and have gotten countless recommendations for this movie, as well as seeing lots of positive reviews for it. The movie had also gotten an Oscar nomination for best picture, increasing my expectations. Sadly, I was left unsatisfied.

Characters/Acting: The acting was well done; Chris Pine did an excellent job of portraying his character, better than I had expected. I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing him in more dramatic, Oscar-worthy performances in the future. Ben Foster did a good job as well, but Jeff Bridges, in my mind, seemed a bit overrated. He played a very Jeff Bridges character, and though he did have a good range of emotions in a few scenes, he didn't do much throughout the movie. I also didn't feel like there was enough of a connection or comparison between the two pairs of characters (Pine and Foster as brothers and Bridges and Gil Birmingham as the 2 cops). They barely even met, and I didn't feel a good comparison between the two kinds, if that's what the movie was going for.

Cinematography: Throughout the duration of the movie, there are countless, and I mean perpetual, endless shots of the small, depressed lands of Texas that the movie takes place in. Eventually I found the shots boring and repetitive, to the point where I was almost saying "if I see another shot of a barren wasteland in Texas, I'm going to throw my remote into the television."

Overall, the movie isn't necessarily bad; it's an okay way to kill two hours. If I didn't have such high expectations from what I had read and other people suggesting it for me, I may have knocked the rating up to a 7.
Also, whenever you see it, stick around for the T-bone restaurant scene, it's the best and funniest scene of the whole movie.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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4

MindurbidnissApr 4, 2021

After hearing its praises sung, I decided to give this a viewing. Sorely disappointed. Not only has this story been told time and time again, but it's been told better. Sub par writing, posturing posing as character development, and a plotAfter hearing its praises sung, I decided to give this a viewing. Sorely disappointed. Not only has this story been told time and time again, but it's been told better. Sub par writing, posturing posing as character development, and a plot with more holes in it than Swiss Cheese are simply summed up as "Texans being Texans". Pine gives a great performance atypical of his usual roles and I guess they know the audience they're shooting for judging by the numbers.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

tamcwlmmJan 2, 2018

For me the movie fell kinda short on some aspects. It's a very slow-paced movie, what you don't expect from a heist movie. I felt like the movie was unfinished. Never the less, the performances were on point with a love-hate realtionshipFor me the movie fell kinda short on some aspects. It's a very slow-paced movie, what you don't expect from a heist movie. I felt like the movie was unfinished. Never the less, the performances were on point with a love-hate realtionship between Toby (Chris Pine) and his brother Tanner (Ben Foster). The relationships between them is well explored.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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5

WalterKovacsDec 26, 2017

Not a bad modern western, but it lacks any memorable scenes. It is slow paced and tries too hard to be artsy. I'd say it is enjoyable for fans of the genre.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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5

amheretojudgeFeb 26, 2018

lord of the plains, that's me..

Hell Or High Water The problem in a character driven movie is that if it ain't interesting, gripping or cognitive the feature starts to fade off slowly and the only thing remains is the ticking clock whichlord of the plains, that's me..

Hell Or High Water

The problem in a character driven movie is that if it ain't interesting, gripping or cognitive the feature starts to fade off slowly and the only thing remains is the ticking clock which takes too much of its time to finish of what was started. David Mackenzie is no short on execution but doesn't seek attention and fails to utilize the script by Taylor Sheridan which frankly had more potential than it was projected. Jeff Bridges is straight out amazing along with a great cast like Chris Pine and Ben Foster who are giving their all in. Hell Or High Water is not the cure, its the disease that even though slowly but surely is taking away the essence (brilliant screenplay, stellar performances and even background score) out of it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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