After Mesrine: Killer Instinct was a critical hit there was were high expectations towards it's sequel Public Enemy Number One. This film was along side the original, much like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Matrix sequels, therefore keeping the same style and tone throughout.
Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One is set after Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) return to France. He robs banks with his crew and escapes from a trial in extraordinary way. When he finally jailed in France Mesrine becomes a Robin Hood like figure, where he claims the banks are the real thefts. He escapes from a Maximum Security Prison with François Besse (Mathieu Amalric) and whilst on the run, Mesrine starts to create an image of being a revolutionary and spread the idea of his loyalty. On the way he continues his life of crime, from robbing a casino to kidnapping a millionaire.
Director Jean-François Richet keeps the serious tone of the first film, showing a realistic level of violence. But the film was shot in a slightly different style and the direction was a little more conservative: there were fewer tricks like the split screen. The script and direction also lacked focus, with the early part of the film just a series of robberies and a escapes. But Richet is a skilled director: the action was well done and he can certainly show Paul Greengrass how to use a hand-held camera. The film also does develop after the 30 to 45 minute mark showing where Mesrine develops as a revolutionary, claiming he is committing crime as a way to break the system but in reality a hypocrite, with his partners even seeing through it. That part of the film reminded me a lot of the Baader-Meinhof Complex, which looked a similar idea. Richet also keep a very fast pace, not allowing for any risk of boredom to set in. Like Killer Instinct, Public Enemy Number One shows that Mesrine operated by himself or in small groups, working on a ground little.
Cassel performance was very strong, pulling off a Robert De Niro, putting on weight and developing a belly. He truly captures his characters as a hypocrite, who wants the high life and a master of disguise. With Richet's direction Mesrine is shown to be a resourceful man, a tough fighter and has an oily charisma that allows him to get away with lot with the public. He is ably supported by a strong cast like the first: and like the first film everyone is as good as each other, with Mathieu Amalric begin particularly strong.
Public Enemy Number One is a enjoyable film but it does not match Killer Instinct for quality.
Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One is set after Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) return to France. He robs banks with his crew and escapes from a trial in extraordinary way. When he finally jailed in France Mesrine becomes a Robin Hood like figure, where he claims the banks are the real thefts. He escapes from a Maximum Security Prison with François Besse (Mathieu Amalric) and whilst on the run, Mesrine starts to create an image of being a revolutionary and spread the idea of his loyalty. On the way he continues his life of crime, from robbing a casino to kidnapping a millionaire.
Director Jean-François Richet keeps the serious tone of the first film, showing a realistic level of violence. But the film was shot in a slightly different style and the direction was a little more conservative: there were fewer tricks like the split screen. The script and direction also lacked focus, with the early part of the film just a series of robberies and a escapes. But Richet is a skilled director: the action was well done and he can certainly show Paul Greengrass how to use a hand-held camera. The film also does develop after the 30 to 45 minute mark showing where Mesrine develops as a revolutionary, claiming he is committing crime as a way to break the system but in reality a hypocrite, with his partners even seeing through it. That part of the film reminded me a lot of the Baader-Meinhof Complex, which looked a similar idea. Richet also keep a very fast pace, not allowing for any risk of boredom to set in. Like Killer Instinct, Public Enemy Number One shows that Mesrine operated by himself or in small groups, working on a ground little.
Cassel performance was very strong, pulling off a Robert De Niro, putting on weight and developing a belly. He truly captures his characters as a hypocrite, who wants the high life and a master of disguise. With Richet's direction Mesrine is shown to be a resourceful man, a tough fighter and has an oily charisma that allows him to get away with lot with the public. He is ably supported by a strong cast like the first: and like the first film everyone is as good as each other, with Mathieu Amalric begin particularly strong.
Public Enemy Number One is a enjoyable film but it does not match Killer Instinct for quality.