The Elite Squad (Tropa De Elite) [DVD]

As an action movie with a tormented hero and some shooting (though not as much as you might think) Elite Squad works extremely well, and doesn't have to engage the brain too much.But it's also a movie with a very strong political subtext, about what happens when an entire society is corrupt at veery level, and where middle-class kids taking cocaine support ruthless criminal networks who corrupt policemen and politicians.The solution, insofar as there is one, is the BOPE - the Special Operations Battalion, who are really not people you would want to make enemies of. They fight drug trafficking literally, by killing those who are involved in it.Which is an extreme solution to be sure, and one that has attracted rather silly cries of "fascism" from the usual quarters, although the film is anything but an uncritical celebration of such methods. But the alternative is .... well, what exactly? Because the one thing that is very clear from the very start of the film is that there is no hope. So long as the gilded youth of Rio keep doing cocaine, the desperate kids of the slums will continue to join the gangs as soldiers because there's literally no alternative. In some way's, it's a vision of hell disguised as a thriller, with no hope of a solution of any kind, positive or not.

A couple of rookies join Brazil's thin blue (well, green) line and get more than they bargained for when they are forced into extremely dangerous 'slum' situations night after night. Which isn't helped by the fact that they are surrounded by unsympathetic civilians and corrupt colleagues at every turn, who're happy to feed them to the streets in order to line their own dirty pockets..Thoroughly enjoyed this cop thriller with its constant displays of violence and brutality. The themes are quite heavy, probably justifiably so, albeit I have no idea how realistic, or close to the bone this is, having never been to Brazil ~ I have however, on occasion, wandered the mean streets of the Scilly Isles if that counts?!The story is engaging and the music and action is lively and chaotic enough for me to not really care about its social commentary or impact though, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride. In fact if you like tough crime flicks with a very grey moral compass you could do much worse than neck a few cold Brahma's and check this out.The bluray print is crisp and colourful but there's little in the way of extras, with only a trailer and a director interview.Obviously people will see immediate similarities to this and City of God but I would also recommend the lesser seen film Pixote as another foray into the world of very good Brazilian ghetto movies.4.25/5. Add an extra half a star if you like world crime cinema.

I have quite a lot of contact with Brazil. Believe me the law abiding citizen loves BOPE, the SAS style police unit for heavy use against drug cartels and other criminal organisations. BOPE don't go in for arrest so much as elimination of criminal elements, the favelas of Brazil are not nice places to police. This film is raw, but certainly does not romanticise the police, where the general units can be corrupt with a very big C. There is a murder every 30 minutes in Rio, so see it like it is, it's better the criminal is wasted by whatever means available, than the university student, the tourist, the policeman, the lawyer, and of course the Pope in his famous visit to Rio. Also it is not just Rio where the going is tough, nor just Brazil, but BOPE are doing a darned good job at cleaning up the country. I found that female members of my family declined to watch this film, it is not for the squeamish.

Excellent movie coming from Brazil. For those who like action movies with a bit of fun and reality.

Well this is probably the best Brazilian movie that I have ever seen.Great stuff. The Blu Ray video and audio is quite good.However...the Blu Ray is preety barebones, no commentary etc. and there is no english audio.However don't let this detract from a truely great movie.

One of the best Brazilian films.

It's a wonderful film that makes you think of the role of the police to protect the true victims of crime and how they put their own lives at risk to protect others.

Realistic…