One of the most brutal films I’ve seen in years, John Doe: Vigilante kicks it up a notch as a disturbing crime thriller. Although a low budget indie, the film has the look and feel of a major film with the convincing special effects and make-up. Now on DVD, the Australian made film gives a swift wake-up punch in dealing with one of the leading weakness of society’s justice system.
The theme of the film is stated: A vigilante is someone who violates the law in order to punish a criminal for what they believe is right, for what they believe is justice, he says. He also points out It’s a war for justice and a war against crime and like any war there’s collateral damage.
The film tells the fictional account of the vigilante John Doe (Jamie Bamber) a masked crime fighter who can account for 33 kills. Taking out repeat pedophiles, rapists, brutal killers, and other dregs on society, he has become a hero to groups like the upstart “Speak for the Dead Movment”. During an interview John Doe tells his story while the world looks on. Not feeling any remorse except in two of his killings, John pours out his reasons for what society has failed to do. In flashbacks, video sent to TV stations of his kills are shown to the public. Each are of his retaliation toward those who commit crimes interjecting that they “get away with it through a system that has been blinded by political correctness”. The criminals have all the rights and the victims suffer.
So begins the story of a man who was damaged by the needless killing of his wife and child by a man who was never caught. Director and screenwriter Kelly Dolen spools out his film creating a number of emotions including fear, anger and vengeance. He takes you into the grit and venom of the criminals showing their brutal acts and those by his retaliating as John Doe. Using stomach churning special effects and make-up he leaves nothing to the imagination making his main character ‘justifiable’ in his actions. Much like the cable show “Dexter”, you believe he’s right even though he’s both judge and jury.
Jamie Bamber does a terrific job of creating his John Doe. Ice cold feelings and determined, he gets the job done quickly yet bloody. He’s cunning, stealth, yet in some cases taking his quarry head on so he can feel the perpetrator’s fear before death. Support actor Lachy Hulme as investigator Ken Rutherford plays the opposing view of John Doe’s vigilantism. He character is cold and calculating on the search for what he believes to be a killer who’s taking justice in his own hands without just cause. The two spar with words right up to the court’s final verdict.
BONUS FEATURES: There are eight special features all of which are interesting, but mostly for budding filmmakers.
“Audio Commentary with Director and Screenwriter Kelly Dolen”
“Audio Commentary with actor Jamie Bamber”
“Behind the Scenes that include the following features” a. Courthouse Explosion, b. Gang Fight, c. ‘I’m Not John Doe’.
“Director Kelly Dolen Talks John Doe: Vigilante”- If you do not want to hear the commentary
“Jamie Bamber on Playing John Doe”- If you do not want to hear the commentary
“Filmmakers talk John Doe: Vigilante”
John Doe: Vigilante has been rated R by MPAA for disturbing violent content and for language. The beatings are brutal and there’s a scene of on perp hitting a woman and knocking her to the ground. If you are timid and cannot take scenes of bloody attacks, then you may want to avoid this film.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Jamie Bamber, Daniel Lissing, Ditch Davey, Lachy Hulme
Director: Kelly Dolen
MPAA Rating: R for disturbing violent content and for language
Genre: Crime. Thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 33 min
Original Theatrical Release Date: March 21, 2014
Video Release Date: April 14, 2015
Language: English
Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.0 Stereo
Video: Widescreen
Subtitles: English
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Main Street Films
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
