How can you tell if your film is a legitimate success both with critics and the general populace? Well, winning the big prize at a big festival - Berlin comes to mind - would indicate the critics are on board. And chances are that if Grand Theft Auto sees fit to make a themed version of the popular game based on your film then you're good with the common people, too. Both of those things happened with Jose Padilha's 2007 effort Tropa De Elite or Elite Squad.
The original Elite Squad became a lightning rod for controversy and public support, the local police trying to squelch its release thanks to its unflinching portrayal of police corruption, a move the general populace responded to by flooding the streets with bootleg copies so everybody could see it anyway and then packing out the theaters when it was properly released. And now Padilha is looking to do it again.
Elite Squad 2 released in Brazilian theaters yesterday, a move which brought along a new trailer with it. Again the scope is impressive and the balance of action with drama and character appears strong. Check it below.
The original Elite Squad became a lightning rod for controversy and public support, the local police trying to squelch its release thanks to its unflinching portrayal of police corruption, a move the general populace responded to by flooding the streets with bootleg copies so everybody could see it anyway and then packing out the theaters when it was properly released. And now Padilha is looking to do it again.
Elite Squad 2 released in Brazilian theaters yesterday, a move which brought along a new trailer with it. Again the scope is impressive and the balance of action with drama and character appears strong. Check it below.