Zulu

After a long time, this was finally a pretty solid French crime movie, which actually has very little to do with France. And that’s mainly because it takes place in South Africa and the surrounding countries. It’s definitely pretty rough, which is good. It’s a pity though that it’s rough mainly at the start and then it gradually eases up. Nevertheless, this easing up is still made up for by the fact that Orlando Bloom is a true actor in this one – he puts in a performance that you would never have thought he was capable of. So, for me, Zulu is an absolutely unique movie with an original name that I won’t forget for a while for several reasons. (25.09.2015)

Despite all the sun, this is a heavy crime movie on the edge of noire and the modern Scandinavian school which capitalizes (and slightly trips up) on holding up a mirror to the consequences and scourges of apartheid. It “capitalizes" in the sense that thanks to this, this isn’t just another bleak movie “about some horrors". It “trips up" in the sense that in the last third, the creators try too hard to make it “overlap" much more than the classic limits of the genre can take. It wouldn’t be a problem in City of God, Elite Squad or Metro Manila, however they aren’t primarily dark crime movies clinging tightly to all of the (un)written rules of the genre. P.S.: Who would have guessed that the role of the vagabond macho wreck of a cop would fit Bloom so snugly? (28.04.2014)

Aber das lässt sich Bloody gerne gefallen! Zulu ist ein absolut fantastischer Krimi, bei dem wirklich nichts gefehlt hat. Es gibt ein Ermittler Duo, das nicht unterschiedlicher sein könnte, und trotz ihrer persönlichen Probleme funktioniert es im Team. Rassenhass, Drogenkartelle, Nutten - all dieser Schmutz spiegelt die sonnige Umgebung Afrikas perfekt wider, wo das Wort Frieden noch nicht einmal in den Geschichten ihrer Großmütter bekannt ist. Mich hat nicht nur das Ausmaß an Brutalität und expliziten Aufnahmen überrascht, sondern vor allem die Erkenntnis, dass Orlando Bloom hier nicht mit seinem polierten Gebiss und buschigen Augenbrauen glänzt, sondern stattdessen schauspielert. Und er schauspielert wirklich gut! Die Handlung nimmt nach und nach verrückte Wendungen, sodass es offensichtlich ist, dass das Hauptduo um seine Gerechtigkeit kämpfen muss, auch um den höchsten Preis. Nun, ich werde es nicht groß reden: Wenn man es noch nicht gesehen hat, sollte man es sofort nachholen. Für mich sogar besser als das verwandte Elite-Team. (02.12.2016)

The subject and the script actually only recycle formulas that have been used many times and are not surprising, moreover, the outcome is predictable and during the final scene when settling the score with the villains, the viewer will recall that Whitaker remembered Orlando Bloom's performance in The Hobbit and, just like Legolas, he mercilessly mows down orcs, his detective instills a sense of satisfaction in combating evil. By the way, I have a problem with the character played by Orlando Bloom. His undisciplined cop, drunkard, and womanizer is not exactly likable, which wouldn't be a problem if the screenwriter and director weren't aiming for the exact opposite and trying to shape him as a likable rogue. Zulu differs from typical American genre productions in its setting in the exotic environment of South Africa and, above all, in its raw depiction of brutal violence. Unfortunately, I have to admit that even the presence of my favorite Forest Whitaker doesn't bring it up to more than 3 stars and a 60% overall impression. I cannot consider Zulu a realistic drama, as it drowns too much in genre clichés. (04.12.2016)

Definitely never going on holiday to South Africa. A somber, brutal thriller. Excellent acting, great direction. A classic investigation into the death of a white girl turns into a bloodbath combining drug dealing with an ethnic purge. A lot of unpleasant things happen (severing limbs, castration by dog), but the most horrifying is just how calmly the characters accept it all. P.S: From now on Bloom should take only this type of role. (30.10.2019)

A brave effort by the French, keeping their typical traditions of hard, raw and direct crime dramas, and are not afraid to experiment a bit (exotic South Africa). It’s a very rough and explicit blood fest in places, but unfortunately it is entertaining mainly because of its form and style, and the performances. The script is too simple and generic. The surprisingly well matched Forest Whitaker-Orlando Bloom duo is a delight. The latter in particular portrays a character of a perpetually drunk and stoned cop, the exact opposite of his acting career so far, and I have a feeling that he enjoyed it quite a bit. (20.01.2017)

Ein sehr guter Krimi im klassischen Stil. Er wird oft mit der derzeit modischen nordischen Buch-/Filmproduktion verglichen, aber ich bin der Meinung, dass er viel mehr den guten alten französischen Sachen ähnelt. Kein Wunder, schließlich waren es die Franzosen, die Zulu geschrieben und gedreht haben. Das sich langsam abspielende Drehbuch kümmert sich um die Figuren, es spart auch nicht an Spannung und Überraschungen. Die Schauspielleistungen sind ebenfalls perfekt, weil Forest Whitaker gar nicht schlecht sein kann. Beim Abspann war ich sehr angenehm überrascht, dass der gute Schauspieler, der wie Orlando Bloom ausgesehen hat, Orlando Bloom gewesen ist. Dank des fesselnden Finales in der Wüste (bei dem es wirklich kein Problem ist, sich an der Stelle von Forest Whitaker Lino Ventura vorzustellen) denke ich über einen fünften Stern nach. (26.06.2015)

It is a movie that has good moments, which I liked about it. The investigation didn't really grab me that much, but there are still scenes that can draw you in, and especially the performances that will keep you engaged. I didn't believe that Orlando Bloom would be able to do it, but this badass cop really worked for me in his portrayal. (06.06.2014)