Who payed the critics

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

the title could be the entire review content. because "Kandagar" is brilliant example of precise realism, impressive atmosphere, importance to each detail, admirable way to build the tension, smart made of dialogues and the science to use the viewer as part of a story. it is a story of survive. like many others. but unique. not only for the status of real case but for the high art to translate it on the screen with wisdom. and this impose it as one of the extraordinary stories. because, against many American films about similar theme, this movie reflects a coherent and admirable story. in cold colors. with impeccable art.

It is a very decent movie/documentary. Void of unnecessary drama. Interesting tale, and one can relate to the story. There's a feel good tinge to it. There isn't the usual unnecessary gore associated with films of this genre. The visual effects were quite good too, sound could do with some help. Predictable ending but its one of those flicks you keep on watching though you know how it ends. Its nice to see the portrayal of the antagonists in a more subtle yet compelling light.I watched it in Russian which I do not understand, but was still worth my time. Enjoyed it, but will not watch it more than twice. I recommend it.

Actually it's a documentary action movie. And a stressful one though you can wait for a happy end just like in "Flight of the Phoenix" (2004). Good make-up, good playing showing a war-time situation. Baluev did an outstanding job. Sound could be better, sometimes you even can't clearly hear the whispers of the heroes. The story takes place in a part of Afghanistan under Taliban control. Some moments of murder remind us that war is taking place there. This movie teaches that if you have an aim you must go to the end, otherwise you lose. And if you are a little group in surrounding of a majority, you should keep together. It's a very brutal movie, very truthful and realistic.

Awesome true story about the escape of Russian pilots after being taken hostage by the Taliban in 1996. Played superbly by all the actors with amazing realism, all the characters seem very real, each with their own way of dealing with fear and the unknown. The actors who played the Taliban are also so realistic you almost feel you are watching a documentary. From the moment the crew decided to trust each other, act together and try to escape to the end the tension builds up to the point where you are on the edge of your seat, heart pounding, willing for them to make it and saying it out loud. And because it all really happened it makes it all the more powerful. The setting is so realistic, you feel the atmosphere of the place, can almost smell the air, touch the sand, feel the flames, hear the sound of the engines. Absolutely superb.