Based on Mark 'Chopper' Read's best-selling autobiography, this graphic drama looks at the notorious Australian criminal's life in and out of jail and his penchant for spinning detailed accounts of violent incidents that tended to stray from the truth. Eric Bana does well in the lead role as we gradually see just how deluded he is, operating under a false assumption that the local police endorse his killing and maiming drug dealers to clean up the streets, and yet the film ultimately feels like more of a collection of assorted events than a cohesive narrative. Some of the incidents are admittedly rather riveting, but others (particularly his girlfriend problems) tend to drag on for too long, especially given that the film's best moments are saved for his conversations with the police; there is a particularly amusing exchange about whether or not he took a man he shot to the hospital and there is a great conversation near the end involving a .410 shotgun. The film is curiously visualised too with unsettling unnatural blue and green light filters and even some slow motion bits. Viewed with Nicolas Winding Refn's similarly themed 'Bronson' in mind, what Bana and director Andrew Dominik manage to achieve here feels extremely slight by comparison, however, 'Chopper' was of course made first and the possible influences on 'Bronson' are intriguing to say the least.

If there's really anything to take away from the movie "Chopper", it's Eric Bana's extraordinarily gripping performance.Based on the late Australian prisoner Mark "Chopper" Reed, he had became a very prolific author through autobiographies and fictional crime novels throughout his lengthy sentence. But saying that, well that's just it. The movie simply follows Reed's inevitable descent back into the shady underworld, and his obviously well known prison sentence. The supporting cast do a terrific job, and the very dim lit area's help bleed atmosphere into the lens.Final Verdict: It's a hard sell, one which will ultimately grip you thanks to Mr. Bana's hard man mannerisms and sinful likability. But as far as movies based on prison life and criminals go, this is one you'll wont come back from entirely smarter or all too satisfied. 6/10.

Before this film, I didn't know anything about Mark "Chopper" Read or his notorious background, so I just looked at this as entertainment and nothing more, not anything educational.As a piece of entertainment, Chopper definitely works. The language, the culture, the style is all very prevalent and established by the filmmaking and acting, and Bana more or less carries the film with his performance.If there are any complaints, that would be it, there aren't enough other noteworthy characters in the film, nobody who commands the scene and attention like Chopper, but I suppose that was the point.It's more subtle and realistic than many crime flicks, with not many shootouts and a few very clever ways to convey the events of this part of Read's torrid and insane life. Even if it's not factual, Bana definitely gives you a sense of how this man just cannot stop getting himself into trouble. He's lovable yet awful, an interesting thug, and definitely memorable. If you're looking for a good character piece, go with Chopper.

Chopper is the nickname of Mark Brandon Read, a notorious real life criminal whose crimes were chronicled in a best selling book by him. Eric Bana plays Read to perfection. An early scene brings to mind the Michael Madsen ear slicing portion of Reservoir Dogs. The camera stays on Bana for 90 percent of the hour and a half running time; and not a minute is wasted. The style is similar to the equally vicious Bronson, which also deals with an infamous Australian criminal. Both are must see movies for anyone who is a fan a the crime genre. The sardonic humor is the sort typically associated with films from Down Under. Just to watch Bana chew up the screen with the look of an actual sociopath, is worth the price of the DVD rental. The New York Times of April 13, 2013 has a profile of Mark Brandon Read which is an excellent companion to this adaptation. Do not miss Chopper.