I really love this film. Actually i'm Russian so i see a lot of new Russian movies - and most of them are not very good (softly to say). But this film was like a blast for me ! It's one of my favorites - and here are some reasons. At first it's really funny - but it's special kind of humor - for people who lived in Perestroyka's time. At second almost all actors play as good as it possible - Dyuzhev,Panin,Mikhalkov,Serebryakov and other - it's best Russian actors from old and new Russian acter's school ! I can speak long time about this film - my offer - better watch it - you will love it if you like good Russian films :)

This is one of those hate it or love it movies. I personally love this film.For one the dialogue is witty, moronic and amazing at the same time. The acting is nicely done, the soundtrack is amazing as usual. All in all, the life of crime during the 90's in provincial Russia is accurately portrayed.The action scenes are great and plentiful so its easy to pay attention. Not like its trying to deliver a philosophical message. The plot is very simple and the characters are memorable.If however,you are a sensitive viewer, stay away. There is a generous amount of graphic violence, torture, politically incorrect ideas and mild language. If you are a cynic or a Russian angry at the government of the time and this kind of material brings back bad memories, the black humour in this film will not be to your liking, so pass this one up. But if your are looking for a fun way to spend a little less than two hours, don't mind some blood and have an open mind, give this a try.

I don't expect an excellent movie from Balabanov, but this film is really awful. The only thing that good in it is a wonderful star cast - Nikita Michalkov, Panin, Dugev, Dmitri Pevtsov, Garik Sukachyov and others. That is a reason why I don't give this movie the worst mark.This film contains violence, strong language, blood so It will be better for children not to watch this. But adults, I suppose, will prefer to watch other movies like "Sin City" The is also an unexpectedly end in this film. I don't expect it. As for me this film is rather strange. I think that many people agree with me. To sum up I advise not to spend money for this.

Well, the movie is very well done technically... Looks exactly like all these "bandits/gangs" Russian movies from perestroika times. Definitely inspired by "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" movie takes another direction and shows us the REAL world of early 90s violent gang wars. Actors are great and atmosphere is superb. I have never enjoyed a Russian mafia movie (Except for Balabanov's "Brother"), but this one got me. The movie takes place in Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky at the time), not Moscow! This is my first complain about the movie. Driving scenes are poorly cut, and I used to live in this city and I notice that in one shot the car is going one direction, but in the next shot it's going the opposite way! You have to pay more attention to things like that (I know that other people who are unfamiliar with this city are not gonna notice that). Another thing is WHY somebody came up with this movie? It shows you the real life as we all know it? If you live in Russia, just get out on a street and look around, very little have changed!