DVD Redirected

I never thought that a movie with such a small budget could ever be made so well. And it's not some haunting house horror, but a full caliber of action, movie. I will not say, that it reached an A level quality, but comparing this one with other E. Velyvis previous works, "Redirected" is almost brilliant.

The script on my opinion had few significant mistakes, but it did not stop me from enjoying the movie. Frankly, I couldn't stop crying while watching it, how funny that was from me. Though "Redirected" is orientated to the wider audience, I have to admit that there are some amazingly funny moments that will be understood only by a true Lithuanian (the scene with the emergency was crazy, but what is more crazy that it was actually based on a true story; or the old man in the forest making illegal hooch, witch is extremely popular in the country, I myself as a kid used to steal billets from there). The other east Europeans should also find something familiar.. :} but must not forget director uses lots of dark comedy. But overall I am pretty sure the West world will also enjoy the movie very much. They too will be able to recognize them self and how they look in the eyes of east ;] You know what, I can't wait to see it again.

All those who now raise their eyebrows seeing this near funny support from Lithuanians may be right. But they will have to find out themselves if this creation is as good as we say. Hopefully, it will not disappoint (Since non Lithuanian viewers will have to wait for few months in order to see it, I may include spoilers!).

This movie is not a sudden appearance into big screens of some idea which suddenly got financial support. It is a long walk of both director from former similar type domestic movies Zero and Zero II and all the cast which worked in them. Laboriously gathered cast and money made creators responsible for the movie to make it as good as possible.

As creators themselves best describe it, you can call this movie Hangover meets Guy Ritchie criminal action comedy with one peculiar thing – it happens as probably never before in post soviet country. It tells a story of John, Ben and Tim who plan on robbing illegal casino in London and fly to the sunny beaches of Malaysia. In the process they add unwillingly another friend who seems to be living a descent life with a descent job and loved girlfriend. The plan goes almost smooth until the flight as the movie title says is redirected to Eastern Europe. Here the four musketeers face constant threat for their life. Also, the four gangsters led by Golden Pole (who is played by one of the best possible actors for such task Vinnie Jones) find their trail and add additional Guy Ritchie spice to the mix. Here they face cunning prostitutes, corrupt policeman, cigarette and immigrant smugglers, alcoholics, asocial Polish, Russian and gypsy people with bad attitude, unique for this part of Europe guys with sweat suits and baseball bats. They even show perverted priest and molesters emergency medics! Most of the film action takes place in full of rubbish and debris places, almost like in Gypsy encampments. All of this is factual but rather reflects single events and the past rather than tendency and present situation in the country. Actually you would have to search deep in Lithuania in order to still find such behaving people and places. However, the director knows that it is what audience want and that he is the best at delivering it.

Although this is a gangster movie with a lot of dark and asocial material, its main merit is humor. In this movie you will not find longer than one minute length stretch without a joke. More importantly, the jokes are not lame. Some are seen in previous movies like tattoos after hangover or shooting the bad guy just before he kills a good guy. But others are completely original. Only in "Redirected" you can find naked guy handcuffed to the radiator which he carries around in the city, strong as Liqueur beer in plastic two liters bottles, real mob shooting guns in countryside where chicken and piglets share same space with humans, statue of Lenin hidden in the woods.

Movie has well thought out plot and structure. Four friends in Lithuania get separated. So the movie is also fragmented into four parts. Probably, because creators wanted to show more aspects of Eastern Europe exotica. In the fourth part they finally meet up again in "Lithuanian wedding". The flop here feels only at the end of the movie. The ending is quite sudden and completely does not fallow the pace and expectation (Lithuanian movie endings have tendency to be bad). Special credit should be given to cinematography which is unequal in whole history of Lithuania. Landscapes, shots, all look great. Editing is also great. These aspects make movie watchable alongside large budget Hollywood blockbusters.

Cast with the exception of Vinnie Jones playing well his casual character is little known outside Lithuania. But they manage to prove that less popularity does not mean less quality. Brit actors, especially Gil Darnell (Johnny), Scot Williams (Michael) acted great and are worth of working in bigger projects. From Lithuanian part of the cast exceptional quality acting is delivered from those who played Staska, Simona, Vycka with Algis (as Vytas Sapranaukas) in the lead. In overall, actors played characters which very well fit them making their performances more convincing. Be aware that the movie contains a lot of bad words in Lithuanian, Russian, Polish and English languages! To sum up, if you are a fan of "Hangover", "Snatch", "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" you will not get disappointment and even will see something unseen anywhere else. This is a fresh unique peek into post soviet countries social problems. Provoking, exotic and full of guilty fun. However, you mustn't form your opinion about the country itself form this movie as it reflects the worst situation about twenty years ago. Today Lithuania is a typical peaceful European Union nation. This movie is not a real travel journal. I urge you not to miss it and get your really positive and fun boost.