126 reviews
This Bull Has Horns
Not bad for a movie that only cost $100,000 and was filmed in three weeks. Bull does not feature epic shootouts or fight scenes, but it does have a magnetic-intimidating lead performance from Neil Maskell and moments of sheer brutality. In my opinion, this is enough to recommend Bull to anyone interested in darker revenge movies. The film is over in less than ninety minutes and depending on your taste you will either love or loathe the ending.
- bbevis-47954
- May 15, 2022
- Permalink
7.3/10. Recommended
This is one of the best last year's movies. A dark, gritty, violent British film that doesn't hold back. I suggest you don't read anything about this, there is a chance some reviewer gives you a spoil.
If you are in the mood for a really dark crime drama/thriller, you will enjoy this. Great actors, not a second wasted, this movie grabs you by the throat.
I stood in awe watching the end. I can understand the reasons why some people may dislike it. In any case, you are gonna enjoy the ride. For me, the ending made it even more exciting.
If you are in the mood for a really dark crime drama/thriller, you will enjoy this. Great actors, not a second wasted, this movie grabs you by the throat.
I stood in awe watching the end. I can understand the reasons why some people may dislike it. In any case, you are gonna enjoy the ride. For me, the ending made it even more exciting.
- athanasiosze
- Apr 30, 2022
- Permalink
A nasty streak through this one.
A well made revenge thriller, with particularly gruesome and graphic retribution acts. I'm not really into it with this level of nastiness. If you want a good feeling in you after a viewing, don't see this.
Though by the end, the aforementioned excessive nastiness can be explained by a story revelation, there's still not much gain from this given the negative prestige we feel for the main character.
The film-craft is in top form here with a high level of art attributed to the script, direction, acting and sound. Unfortunately the main character is an awful person, even before he went evil. It's not easy to sympathise with the guy, for his gruesome acts and short flashback segments which don't display his humane side for long enough. Not possible to get close enough to him.
Though by the end, the aforementioned excessive nastiness can be explained by a story revelation, there's still not much gain from this given the negative prestige we feel for the main character.
The film-craft is in top form here with a high level of art attributed to the script, direction, acting and sound. Unfortunately the main character is an awful person, even before he went evil. It's not easy to sympathise with the guy, for his gruesome acts and short flashback segments which don't display his humane side for long enough. Not possible to get close enough to him.
deconstructing the revenge thriller -- a fun ride
Revenge thrillers have been a movie staple as long as there have been movies. This one is the same but different. The film-maker makes no attempt to catch the sympathy of the viewer upfront--a very gutsy thing to try--and instead relies on the constant forward motion of the action to win the hearts and minds of the audience. It works, mostly. The end result is more resembles a roller coaster ride than the typical "3 Act" script. And yes it is entertaining. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
- A_Different_Drummer
- Apr 4, 2022
- Permalink
Decent film, marred by bizarre ending.
Saw this at the London Film Festival premiere last night. It's a well-made and engaging low-budget crime film, with excellent acting and music. Neil Maskell and David Hayman give dependably good performances. It's very much along the lines of Dead Man's Shoes and Kill List, although lacking the flair, originality and imagination of those classics. Hard geezer seeks revenge, with over-the-top violence and nasty, humourless working-class gangsters. A grim and dour tone. Some nicely choreographed stabbings and gunshots. It's nothing new, but it does it satisfactorily and holds your attention.
It's a great shame then that the film is almost fatally marred by a bizarre and poorly thought-through conclusion that had to make me wonder why not a single person on the team of this production said 'um, hang on a minute, are we really going with this ending..?'.
It's just wrong for the tone of the film.
I can see what they were aiming for, as it's been done before in one of the best crime films ever made, but here they mess it up by not setting it up correctly, and in the process almost wreck a perfectly workable film.
All in all, despite this flaw, this is worth a watch, as it is undeniably entertaining.
It's a great shame then that the film is almost fatally marred by a bizarre and poorly thought-through conclusion that had to make me wonder why not a single person on the team of this production said 'um, hang on a minute, are we really going with this ending..?'.
It's just wrong for the tone of the film.
I can see what they were aiming for, as it's been done before in one of the best crime films ever made, but here they mess it up by not setting it up correctly, and in the process almost wreck a perfectly workable film.
All in all, despite this flaw, this is worth a watch, as it is undeniably entertaining.
- stereosteve-1
- Oct 16, 2021
- Permalink
If you like Dead Man's Shoes, you'll like this
- hazzaboombatty
- Jun 28, 2022
- Permalink
One of the best Bri-ish films I've seen.
Writer and director Paul Andrew Williams created a masterpiece for this overused genre. In the very comfortable well paced 88 min runtime, he gives us non-stop intensity, violence, suspense and gore, all within a minimal budget, used very wisely. I'm not a fan of flashbacks, but in this film they were needed, and executed perfectly, otherwise the differentiating-from-the-norm twist doesn't work. The cinematography and score was perfect. Casting and performances were outstanding by all. I did have trouble understanding some of the dialogue from the hardened Bri-ish accents, especially when speaking in lower volumes, but nevertheless, everything that happens along this fun ride, makes that small detail irrelevant. It's one of those films that you can easily watch at least one more time. Mad props to Williams for giving us this little gem, hopefully we'll get lucky and he gives us more. A well deserved 9/10 from me.
- Top_Dawg_Critic
- Apr 6, 2022
- Permalink
Good film let down by the Ending
- amybinstead
- Aug 4, 2023
- Permalink
But why though?
- Draysan-Jennings
- Apr 5, 2022
- Permalink
What a revenge movie should aspire to be
A simple premise that is presented in a straight forward simple way that works perfectly albeit in a nonchronological fashion. There are too many revenge movies generally and there are definitely too many revenge movies that suck. And the top reasons that they suck is usually that they are just super wimpy (see Taken, Taken 2, Taken 3, Taken 4 etc) or that they are poorly made (acted, directed, shot etc). At least in my experience anyways. This movie is none of these things. It is super well made (acted, directed, shot, written, etc) especially for this genre. And it may be a number of things but I would not say that it is wimpy in any way. Unflinching, violent, gory definitely but also sincerely and legitimately presented. Fair warning that it may take a bit to adjust to the gutter English spoken by the characters if you're American like me but well worth it if you're inclined to enjoy bloody bloodbath revenge movies like this one.
- drunk_please_disregard
- Oct 5, 2022
- Permalink
well done revenge flick
Anyone into simple , easy to follow revenge thrillers will enjoy this one. Its a low budget , pretty violent film with a nice twist at the very end. I thought the guy who played Bull did a great job as the main character. The only actor i recognized was David Hayman who plays Norm. There was no sympathy for those getting whacked. Its British so if you can see with subs its best. Overall a fun revenge thriller . Recommend.
- Snakeskinzjr
- Apr 9, 2022
- Permalink
Too all over the place
I cant quite follow this. Feels like I jumped into the 5th episode of a tv-series and missed a lot about the characters. No build up or anything. Too scattered to even get into it. The acting isnt bad but it doesnt feel like a film.
As advertised, mostly
This was a masterfully produced film, maybe largely because the actors are all excellent. I'm not sure how it should've ended, but I think this particular one was a strange choice and, while it was fun because it was unexpected, it didn't fit the rest of the story- at least, not without some sort of evolution. The movie starts with a mad dad and we understand his motivation: he's a gangster out for revenge, and he wants to find his estranged son. Why switch genres at the bitter end? Was that just the cheap trick it felt like?
- supermellowcali
- Apr 5, 2022
- Permalink
Interesting B- revenge movie
This movie is pretty interesting if you love low budget great action revenge thrillers. It's pretty well done and includes great action-horror deaths. So, if you're in the mood of it, go for it. Other than that don't expect an Oscar-winning here or amazing Fx's. Just a little interesting B- revenge movie.
- danielcereto
- Apr 16, 2022
- Permalink
Disjointed
There's much to like about Bull. Neil Maskell, who you might recognize from Kill List puts in a great performance. David Hayman gives good support. For a budget production it looks OK too although much more akin to a TV movie than a cinematic release. It's a violent crime movie and most of the violence is with knives which is much more gruesome than simply shooting someone. My problem is the disjointed narrative. The eponymous Bull is a small time gangster working for a small time boss of a small time gang in Kent. He's double crossed by the gang only to appear from nowhere a decade later to get his revenge. But instead of a linear narrative the writer/director, Paul Andrew Williams mixes past and present in a ad hock fashion and despite the events occurring 10 years apart all the characters look exactly the same, the wardrobe is identical and the time of year, summer is also the same. There are no visual clues as to what is a flash back and what is present, like the flashback sequences being in black and white or being a bit hazy or even just being lit differently. It makes the narrative difficult to follow despite it not being a particularly complicated plot in the first place. The final payoff comes completely out of the blue and although it's quite a fun twist doesn't fit in with the tone of the movie at all.
Every now and then you need a good revenge film
- Doctor_Enigmatic
- Jan 23, 2023
- Permalink
Intense thriller
Intense thriller, the story slowly unravels, in a violent way, unsympathetic characters that keep you on the tip of the chair nonetheless, with un unexpected ending.
Great acting, lazy story telling
Lead acting is really good. However the story telling is very lazy. There are certain parts of the movie that are just outright silly to have missed. Simple things like wiping a gun after it's used in certain scenes, then disposed at the scene. Little things that gripe you. The story is meant to be 10 years apart but the actors look identical when switching time lines. No attempt to age them, style them or even change their haircuts or even facial hair.
The styling chosen for the leading role is quite odd. He kind of looks like an unfit accounts clerk that's been working the same deal for 25 years. There should of been an attempt made to at least make his hair seem a little more suited to the role. Remind me of Derek or Little Nicky.
Overall it was enjoyable but could have been so much better with a bit more detail.
I didn't realise until reading a few other comments that this film was only shot over 3 weeks with a budget of only $100k so maybe a rating of 6 was a bit harsh, but that's how I initially viewed it so I will stick with that.
The styling chosen for the leading role is quite odd. He kind of looks like an unfit accounts clerk that's been working the same deal for 25 years. There should of been an attempt made to at least make his hair seem a little more suited to the role. Remind me of Derek or Little Nicky.
Overall it was enjoyable but could have been so much better with a bit more detail.
I didn't realise until reading a few other comments that this film was only shot over 3 weeks with a budget of only $100k so maybe a rating of 6 was a bit harsh, but that's how I initially viewed it so I will stick with that.
- bwardell-222-530589
- Nov 6, 2023
- Permalink
The ending ruined it
Excellent
- Mclovin290514
- Aug 18, 2022
- Permalink
Thriller With A Twist
- stevendbeard
- Apr 4, 2022
- Permalink
Stupid endings suck
- russelldebra
- Jan 13, 2023
- Permalink
Good no nonsense revenge movie
Well directed and well acted with a good story. Engaging and entertaining without any added frills. The character development though not very apparent and brief, was mysterious enough to draw me towards each character. Overall, a good watch!
- alphadude007
- Jun 24, 2022
- Permalink
Grab the bull by the horns.
- morrison-dylan-fan
- Nov 23, 2021
- Permalink
In two minds.
I am getting tired of the usual British, yobby, criminal underworld, council house rubbish types that seem to be the mainstay of British cinema these days.
Plus whatever way you look at it, films like this try to glorfiy/glamourise that lifestyle, and make excuses for the vile behaviour on show, all down to circumstances don't you know.
Having said that, this is well made with a good twist, but it isn't a film I'd go back to.
Whilst there are flashes of violence throughout, it isn't as bad as I thought it might have been.
Plus whatever way you look at it, films like this try to glorfiy/glamourise that lifestyle, and make excuses for the vile behaviour on show, all down to circumstances don't you know.
Having said that, this is well made with a good twist, but it isn't a film I'd go back to.
Whilst there are flashes of violence throughout, it isn't as bad as I thought it might have been.
- TomFarrell63
- Aug 23, 2022
- Permalink