Le Dernier Combat is a 1983 French post-apocalyptic film. It was the first feature film to be directed by Luc Besson, and also features Jean Reno's first prominent role. Music for the film was composed by Éric Serra. The film was the first of many collaborations between Besson, Reno and Serra.
In a post-apocalyptic future where no one is able to speak, the few remaining humans fight over resources in order to survive.
***SPOILER ALERT***
Freddy's Back!
More than a year has passed since I last updated this blog, but now it's time for a grand comeback! My passion for movies and this old school blog can never die, no matter how many woke and bad movies Netflix and other streaming platforms throw our way. To kick things off, I’ve decided to go big and review the entire filmography of Luc Besson, to find out which of his movies is my favorite. I’m starting in chronological order and skipping the first short movie, so first up is "Le Dernier Combat," known in English as "The Last Battle."
A French Mad Max? Not Quite!
I'm always up for a good post-apocalyptic movie, one of my favorite genres. So, are we looking at the French Mad Max here? Not quite, but very interesting nevertheless! We follow a lone survivor who's building a plane in what appears to be a devastated office building. The world is now a vast desert, and everyone seems to have lost their ability to talk, which brings great pain to our main character. Initially, the movie starts a bit slow, and I feared my mind would wander, despite the beautiful and stylish shots. But I was wrong! Once our hero reaches a devastated city and the brute and doctor characters are introduced, the movie picked up and became very entertaining and intriguing. The story is simple and leaves much to the imagination, which I enjoyed. I kept wondering what had happened to the world. Nothing is explained in detail, but that's part of the charm.
Intriguing Characters and Mysterious Plot
If you're worried about it being a French movie and having to turn on subtitles, don’t be. There's only two words spoken throughout the entire movie. Plus, the movie had me giggling at times, thanks to the talented actors and their expressive gestures and faces. Now, for the big turn-off: the music. The synth, saxophone, and bass-ridden score could be enjoyable in some scenes, but overall, it just sounded weird and out of place. Despite this, I enjoyed the movie for its characters and the intriguing mysteries that unfold. It left me wondering about many things and probably holds more answers upon a rewatch. Why was that woman trapped in the hospital? What’s with the fingers and the mob? Why did everyone lose their voice? It was a surprisingly nice experience in black and white, and I'm hopeful for a good time with the next Luc Besson films. Stay tuned!
🎥 Cinematography (7/10):
I was really impressed with the beautiful and stylish shots. The black-and-white visuals added a unique touch.
📖 Story (5/10):
The story is simple but intriguing, leaving much to the imagination. I enjoyed wondering about the backstory and what led to this dystopian world.
🎬 Direction (8/10):
Luc Besson’s vision and execution were commendable, especially given the film's minimalist approach. He managed to create a compelling narrative with limited resources.
👥 Characters (8/10):
The characters were intriguing and well-developed. Their interactions and struggles kept me engaged.
💥 Visual Effects (3/10):
Considering it’s a low-budget film, the visual effects were basic but functional. They served the story well enough without being distracting.
🎭 Acting (7/10):
Despite the lack of dialogue, the actors did a fantastic job with their expressive gestures and faces, conveying a lot without words.
💬 Dialogue (7/10):
While there’s almost no spoken dialogue, the non-verbal communication was effective. It’s a unique aspect that worked well for this film.
🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (6/10):
The dystopian world and the atmosphere it created were engaging. It really felt like a post-apocalyptic setting.
🎵 Music (2/10):
The music was a bit of a turn-off for me. The synth, saxophone, and bass mix felt weird and out of place in most scenes.
😄 Entertainment Value (6/10):
Despite a slow start, the movie picked up and became very entertaining and intriguing. It kept me hooked till the end.
Our blog is currently being updated regularly!
Comments
Post a Comment