Reviews

I didn't want to watch this movie, because I knew it would let me down. And you know what? It did. I have to say, I haven't read the book, which is too bad, because I hear that it's brilliant. But I guess the film was just enough to take the edge off it... Why did I watch it then? All of my friends told me it is great. So I thought: it might be different. But you know what? I could have watched ID4 instead for a second time. I mean, from a point of view, they are all the same. Even without reading the book, I'm pretty sure the creators of the film just did enough to turn the story into a slimy, stereotypical, Hollywood junk. Just like Independence Day, War of the Worlds is full of plot holes (I got a feeling, this film was to be twice as long, and when they had to cut it down to two, they just cut out some bits without looking) and unexplainable goofs really. Okay, they left out most of the American patriotic propaganda stuff from this one (although, we get a few drops here and then). But they left in the alien carnage, the disgusting bad father vs. children subplot (brilliant - if I thought for weeks, I couldn't come up with something more stereotypical). To sum it up: If you are the person, who watches a movie for nice computer-animations, or if watching thousands of people wiped out turns you on, you'll love this one. But if you belong to none of these groups, just about anything will seem a more useful way to spend two hours of your life...

Brilliant. A film that does not fit into any usual categories. A plot that cannot really be understood, but it is just awesome. Practically unknown, but truly brilliant actors in leading roles and some big names doing their best in minor ones (Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle). Great directing and script with sometimes deep, sometimes funny monologues and conversations. The most unusual of heroes, but one who summarizes all our disappointment about the world. A fabulous soundtrack, perfectly suiting the film, with absolutely no need for big stars or their boring hits. The whole atmosphere of the movie is just fantastic. The proof that you don't need billions of dollars and years to make a grand film. This is a film that does have a message. Find out what it's got to say to you! A 10 for sure for this one!

First of all, let me say, I am glad so many people have seen this film outside Hungary (to be honest, that hadn't happened to any Hungarian film for ages). What's even a greater joy for me, is that most people liked it (judging from votes and comments).

I think, Kontroll features brilliant aspiring actors (instead of the more well known ones, who are good actors, but it is a bit boring, that real young talents are rarely discovered), nice cinematography, a very unified depicting of the dark subterranean world (by the way, the movie does not take place in the Budapest subway - although it was shot there, the plot is set in a fully fictional environment!), astonishing direction and camera-work and a great soundtrack. So, I must say, this is a great movie, but the script is perhaps a bit leaky. It is like if the author could not decide whether to write a dark art-movie, a comedy or a thriller.

To come to a conclusion, I must say, this movie is a bit too alternative for me, certainly not a gripping one... In addition, it is annoying that in Hungary it has become very trendy to love this movie. Howaever, that is not the film's fault...

Great film! This was one of the few American films that got broadcasted on TV here in Hungary in the late 80s socialist era. I was about 8 then, and I remember, every kid played with Matchbox trucks and wanted to be a trucker...

But only now do I understand the essence of it... I think, this movie is the 70s epic of America - a kind of 'On the road put to film'. It deeply revolts against the conformism of the late 70s. After the 60s the rebellion of the "beat generation" slowly expired giving way to the "disco age". I think, Convoy brings back some of the finest ideas and emotions of the 60s, depicting numerous social-political-economic problems of the 70s...

Also, it has an even more important message: it is the revolt of the average citizen, or the working man against the political elite. They say, they have our - the people's - well being on our minds. And we might be dull enough to believe them... We work hard, while they stuff their own pockets with our money and have nothing on their minds but doing that and ways of being able to maintain their power. I think, that is an ever-present problem in each and every country, no matter rich or poor, democratic or dictatorical. So the true message of Convoy is: REAL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

I must say, people who haven't lived in one of the socialist countries can watch this movie, but they will never really understand it. Who hasn't personally experienced the fall of socialism, will never understand the mixed emotions that this film reminds viewers from Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and other ex-socialist countries of Eastern and Central Europe - the euphoria of freedom (but also the hardships our countries had to - and still have to - face) and the nostalgia for some aspects of life back then before 1989... So, I must say, I just loved the movie, but not because it is a particularly good one, but because it evokes such powerful emotions out of me. In the end, the protagonist comments, that he will always associate the memory of his mother with the memory of an era and a country that no longer exists. I exactly know what he means... I was 9 when socialism fell in my home country, so I belong to the last age group that experienced life in the socialist era. I am one of the last ones who remember what was life like then - and I don't regret that at all. In fact, that is a really emotional memory that I have, and I am proud that my country helped to remove the first brick from the Wall... Finally, let me recommend a similar film from Hungary - Moszkva tér (Moscow square)...