Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Writer and Director John V Soto known for his supernatural teen Crush and horror Needle has left those genres out for his third feature film The Reckoning. The musical score alone is brilliant and tense and once again the director has a knack for casting with Viva Bianca and Jonathan LaPaglia as detectives Jane Lambert and Robbie Green investigating the roadside execution of Luke Hemsworth's character Jason Pearson and tracking down two runaway teenagers (Hanna Mangan Lawrence and Alex Williams) as Rachel and AJ on a quest to seek revenge on her sister Abbie (Chelsea Williamson) who was killed in a hit and run and uncover the corruption within the police force and a twist at the end will keep your eyes glued on the screen from the start with a fast thrilling car chase at the beginning to the end with a rooftop stand off.

There's an old joke – "all Australians are walking upside down". This movie is a persuasive proof that there is definitely a tiny piece of joke in this statement. The society pictured in this movie is exactly like that – completely twisted. For example, what would the three muscular drug dealers do when their safe house is approached by an inadequately looking teen girl with a skinny friend, who's shooting the bandits on camera(!!!)? And the lady is mumbling something about retribution from the bible… Of course, the criminals politely invite this creepy pair into their hideout, and then obediently allow to savagely torture and kill themselves. Of course, it' s an absolutely obvious way things are done in the streets of Australia! What a shame that the movie director didn't share with the audience the details of "bringing to peace" the avenged criminals, who overwhelm the attackers in every possible characteristic excluding "goodness". It makes one think that however hard the movie creators tried to work out a persuasive way of crazy teen couple's winning over 2 foot-soldiers with their boss, they couldn't make it without looking unrealistic. That's why they took an innovative decision to picture the bandits already neutralized. Genius move! Thunderous applause! And there's one more especially vivid episode. What would the main character of the movie, an experienced police officer in his 40s, do, when he comes home knowing he's being hunted by two extremely dangerous criminals intending to mortify him as painfully as possible? Especially considering the fact that previously they've already committed a number of psycho-aggravated assaults, presently on the loose and always do their thing fast. A normal thriller hero would send the wife and kids away and would be sitting in the dark corner of his home with a gun, waiting for the inevitable visit. But the Aussie heroes have a special sovereign methodology. As clear as day, the concerned policeman first fixes himself a mighty drink, then has sex with his wife and…happily blacks out in the sleep of the righteous. Well, a man has a right to relax, doesn't he? Especially in the anticipation of brutal torture and violent death. That's how it usually happens, right? And then he's woken up in the warm company of quite expected maniac guests, who have already taken the heirs of this sleeping beauty as hostages. And such "innovative" plot points, boldly challenging the most common everyday logic, adorn almost every episode of this movie. But along with that its content propagates the humanitarian target of youth de- narcotization. Guess the creators of "Reckoning" made a very good job in making it very hard to take this movie and its "humanitarian mission" seriously. They can be really proud of themselves.

The Reckoning is a must see for crime thriller lovers . With a well structured story line with dark twists and turns, gut wrenching performances and crisp cinematography, Soto has proved himself in his talent for crafting genre films. The notable performances of rising actors Lawrence and Williams proved strong in their portrayal of obsessive troubled teens with their quest for vengeance.With successful use of found footage and the crime genre, interesting cinematic layers have been used to create a dark yet thrilling take on city crime. The visual elements have been prominently complimented by a prodigious soundtrack. Overall a great and enjoyable Australian film with complex dimension and texture.

I was about to let my attention wander with this movie, when it took an interesting turn.It had my full attention from then on, and while not a world beater, I quite enjoyed it.Made a change from over-the-top clichéd rubbish, and put a new turn on the almost exhausted found-footage genre, which I hope will take a long rest very soon.This not a found footage film per se, but uses the style to clever use to keep our Detectives on the hunt and guessing, as does the viewer.I liked also the intelligent denouement and completion of the storyline, except for one section, which still needs work in most films.More attention should be paid to this critical part of any film (budding film makers TAKE NOTE), as it can often snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, leaving the viewer appalled at a "cheapskate" way out of a corner the writers have painted themselves into. Reference American Gigolo as an example of a poor and rushed ending that spoiled an otherwise very good film.A little more use of the Australian scenery would have added a more Aussie feel to the picture, which has somewhat of a generic feel (could have happened anywhere) but overall the dark subject matter was handled quite well with deep moods and lighting to match, not too dark and still able to hear every spoken word.Nice one John Soto, more please.....