ICARUS / THE KILLING MACHINE (Dolph Lundgren, 2009)

[Jox]

Remember that the film was completely re-cut (butchered) by the producers.

As for the so-called "shaky-cam" (I don't like this expression), whether we like it or not, it's a choice. For a long time hand-held camera was barely used in american cinema, but it's always been present and European films, it gives a different way to apprehend the storytelling and how we perceive time and atmosphere. On a production standpoint, a steadicam operator is very expensive and would only be used 2 or 3 days on a film like this, and the shots can also be time consuming to set up. With a 3 weeks schedule they couldn't have done it using a dolly either. I think it it's well shot here and works better than in CP, it fits this movie much better. I'm pretty sure it's less distracting when you watch it in the original cinemascope aspect ratio rather the 1.78 German release. I'm glad he's not doing it like Paul Greengrass (BOURNE SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM, UNITED 93, GREEN ZONE) with 10 cameras and crazy-ass editing though.

[MFS]

Remember that the film was completely re-cut (butchered) by the producers.

As for the so-called "shaky-cam" (I don't like this expression), whether we like it or not, it's a choice. For a long time hand-held camera was barely used in american cinema, but it's always been present and European films, it gives a different way to apprehend the storytelling and how we perceive time and atmosphere. On a production standpoint, a steadicam operator is very expensive and would only be used 2 or 3 days on a film like this, and the shots can also be time consuming to set up. With a 3 weeks schedule they couldn't have done it using a dolly either. I think it it's well shot here and works better than in CP, it fits this movie much better. I'm pretty sure it's less distracting when you watch it in the original cinemascope aspect ratio rather the 1.78 German release. I'm glad he's not doing it like Paul Greengrass (BOURNE SUPREMACY and ULTIMATUM, UNITED 93, GREEN ZONE) with 10 cameras and crazy-ass editing though.

"Shakycam", it's definetly a tricky thing to pull off. I actually think it works very well in the Bourne movies (the best spy-flicks ever IMHO), but when it doesn't work for me is when the directors shoots at too close of a range, a recent example being Quantum of Solace where you're either looking at Bond's back or his arm or just his face or suddenly his feet, so unnecessary and stupid. While I prefer the longer and wider shots for action scenes, "shakycam" can be used to great effect, if the people behind it know what they're doing. I should add though, that I havent seen Icarus yet, just wanted to comment on the shakycam controversy.

Too bad about the producers butchering the film, hadn't heard about that. Not gonna stop me from seeing it, but still, it's just sad. However, you say there's a different aspect ratio in the German release? Does that include the other releases in Europe, and what's the deal with that exactly? I've never been good at understanding the whole aspect ratio thing ...

[Jox]

Too bad about the producers butchering the film, hadn't heard about that. Not gonna stop me from seeing it, but still, it's just sad.

Yeah it was a mess. Some background info in my review:
http://www.dolph-ultimate.com/icarus_review.html

However, you say there's a different aspect ratio in the German release? Does that include the other releases in Europe, and what's the deal with that exactly? I've never been good at understanding the whole aspect ratio thing ...

Normally the French release will be in correct ratio.

To clearly see the difference, compare the teaser and first promo trailers with the final trailer

original 2.35:1 (known as cinemascope) aspect ratio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzypDnaLIdk


modified 1.78:1 aspect ratio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWKnJcotkG0


in the end it's like when you had a film pan & scanned (full screen) for home video...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image)

[preacher]

MINOR SPOILERS...

I liked the film.
Very good acting. Nice locations.
Some issues though...

The hectic cutting bothered me too at times but i still think the movie had a nice atmosphere and the acion was well enough staged.
Yeah... the wife wanting sex in that situation was very supid and seemed forced.

What I really liked in the film was actually Dolphs performance. To me this was the first time he sold me the image of him as an "ordinary guy" type character. It really worked for me. His love for his family gave the film heart and his struggle to balance the job with being a dad was very well done and felt realistic. This in turn fueled the tension later on in the film and motivated Dolphs actions. Acting wise def one Dolphs best imo.
Well done Dolph!
Not to hard to connect with this character for Dolph i imagine. he himself is in fact just that: A very busy yet very loving father/husband.

[MFS]

Normally the French release will be in correct ratio.

To clearly see the difference, compare the teaser and first promo trailers with the final trailer

original 2.35:1 (known as cinemascope) aspect ratio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzypDnaLIdk


modified 1.78:1 aspect ratio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWKnJcotkG0


in the end it's like when you had a film pan & scanned (full screen) for home video...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(image)

Okay, I see. Thanks!

[Nathan]

About the so-called "shaky-cam", which I agree with Jox isn't a particularly technical term for it... Sometimes it is done right, sometimes it is not. I kinda liked what Dolph tried to go for shooting Command Performance in an MTV style and the "shaky-cam" wasn't overdone or it didn't spoil the action yet it added to the chaos during some of the scenes such as the people escapinig from the concert. I don't think the quick editing or "shaky-cam" were particularly good ideas for Icarus, which should have been more of a sleek directorial style like in The Mechanik, where shots are crystal clear and stylized to add to that film-noir element. The actual editing style didn't fit the tone of the movie I felt. One of the WORST uses of "shaky-cam", I completely agree, is in Quantum of Solace. I had a headache after the opening car chase and was pissed off for the rest of the movie. One of the worst Bond movies by far, if you could even call it a Bond movie. So generic and yet they managed to screw it even more with the shit "techniques". I don't think vomit enduced dizzyness adds to my appreciate of the action to be honest. I prefer clean cut hits. Sometimes low-budget movies use "shaky-cam" to save time and the setting up of shots I believe, just have one dude walking around with the camera, they also tend to overuse close ups during the action where for example Steven Seagal will be fighting and all you will be able to see is one quavering hair on his chin. Icarus is a good movie, especially considering how the producers fucked it. I could see the potential in the footage. Hope Dolph doesn't work with those amateurs again.

[Jox]

No chance.

BTW it was edited by the editor of some of Seagal's recent flicks

[Nathan]

No chance.

BTW it was edited by the editor of some of Seagal's recent flicks

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2025278/

His record isn't exactly great. Again, like Icarus, Driven to Kill had some pretty decent action but I felt the editing marred it. I see he has done the last two Steve Austin flicks too. Doesn't say much for him.

[Nathan]

No chance.

BTW it was edited by the editor of some of Seagal's recent flicks

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2025278/

His record isn't exactly great. Again, like Icarus, Driven to Kill had some pretty decent action but I felt the editing marred it. I see he has done the last two Steve Austin flicks too. Doesn't say much for him.

I know I'm quoting myself haha, but I knew that this guy must have directed Kill Switch as well, fuck that film was one of the biggest messes I've ever seen. I'm glad Icarus didn't look quite as bad as the editing travesty.

[Mosquito]

About the so-called "shaky-cam", which I agree with Jox isn't a particularly technical term for it...

Err, sorry, I'm an amateur when it comes to the technical terms. I call it shaky cam because it's shaky and people called it that way after that cheap movie in the woods that became that huge success but where I forgot the name because I'm old.

I was just wishing for something that kept the images "unshaken"... a steadycam, a dolly or a cheap little tripod.

Sometimes it is done right, sometimes it is not. I kinda liked what Dolph tried to go for shooting Command Performance in an MTV style and the "shaky-cam" wasn't overdone or it didn't spoil the action yet it added to the chaos during some of the scenes such as the people escapinig from the concert. I don't think the quick editing or "shaky-cam" were particularly good ideas for Icarus, which should have been more of a sleek directorial style like in The Mechanik, where shots are crystal clear and stylized to add to that film-noir element. The actual editing style didn't fit the tone of the movie I felt.

That's exactly what I felt. Take a look at the posters and the movie stills. *So* cool and sleek. This was what I expected from the movie, too. A lone contract killer should really be depicted that way even if he has doubts. I guess they did that in a great way in the old 60s and 70s movies with Lee Marvin, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and the likes.

SPOILERS AHEAD

But on the positive side I also agree with what you and the others said: Dolph's acting was very good. You see the doubts about the lifestyle, the regrets and the despair when he thought his daughter was dead. I was just wondering why they showed that old Russian scene again and again. I thought it should establish the impression of an old trauma but he didn't look traumatized to me. Guess that was one of the "butchering" effects, right?

[Travis]

The interviewer from the sci-fi convention kept saying Icarus is available in the U.S. now. This doesn't seem to be the case. Anyone have an idea when it will be available here?

Icarus looks like it could be his best film in years.

[Jox]

No, I still haven't heard anything about a US release date yet and don't even know which company will release it (CineTel seems reluctant to tell me).

[smayer]

this to me is the greatest role dolph has player for a long time but not to shaw about the very end and why they look so concerned about the black car turning up can anyone explain

[Scorpio]

Icarus, will be released in my Country later on July 28... Till then, we will have to wait...

http://www.zonadvd.com/modules.php?name ... &sid=26493

[Jox]

Thanks for posting it Scorpio, don't hesitate when you have Spanish news!