Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
Elite Squad: The Enemy Within Image
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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

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  • Summary: The sprawling favelas that surround Rio de Janeiro are some of the most dangerous places in the world... and it's Captain Nascimento's job to take down the gangs that run them. Although his methods are violent, he's very good at his job. When he's promoted to a powerful government position, he thinks he'll finally be able to finish the job - but instead finds out that he's only made things easier for the dirty cops and corrupt politicians that are truly running the show. (Variance Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    Nov 9, 2011
    91
    The pace is quick, the violence is rough, and the visual style is documentary as Padilha hammers home his point: Someone is forever in the pocket of someone else as The System constantly adapts to protect itself.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    Nov 7, 2011
    80
    When this "Enemy Within" settles into key action sequences, such as a stunning nighttime ambush or a daytime battle against Fabio, it becomes wildly entertaining.
  3. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Sam Adams
    Nov 8, 2011
    80
    Both responding to and rebutting critics who dubbed its predecessor fascist, José Padilha's superior sequel to 2007's "Elite Squad" doubles down on the kill-'em-all rhetoric while placing its trigger-happy heroes in a larger context.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Abele
    Nov 17, 2011
    60
    The rest is an adrenaline ride, but one more wearying than eye-opening.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. RafaelFRM
    10
    The first movie had an un-precedent success in Brazil. Thought may be seen like just another action movie, it touched deep into major problems in Brasil and his echo was huge in building a conviction the attitude of authorities and citizens should change in the Country. It was a national phenomena and this sequel, even without capable of delivering the same original impact is absolutely competent in moving further on the subject and again to move the audiences in Brazil like no other film could ever done.… Expand
  2. Nesbitt10
    9
    The sprawling ghetto's that surround Rio de Janeiro are some of the most dangerous places in the world... and it's Captain Nascimento's (Wagner Moura) job to take down the cartels that run them. Building on the success of 2007's "Elite Squad", Padilha's sequel offers another deeply compelling insight into the state of Rio's law enforcement and political system, showing the true depths of the city's social problems as an institutionalized pandemic.
    This sequel opens with a prison riot, and a prison-hostage situation turns into a blood bath. Nascimento becomes embroiled in a political feud with his superiors and the media, which denounce Nascimento's prohibitively bloody strategies. Rio's perpetually endangered populace feels differently, however. They see in Nascimento a heroic figure who can stem the spillover from the violence-prone, gang-run ghetto's into a proper city. Due to the increasing popularity of Nascimento, the Governor invites him to team-up with the intelligence area of the Secretary of Security. When he's given this position, he thinks he'll finally be able to finish the job but instead finds out that he's only made things easier for the dirty cops and corrupt politicians that are truly running the show. Nascimento and the BOPE expel the drug dealers from the slums, an effort to eradicate pay offs to dirty cops--but another enemy arises: a militia police force supported by the Governor, that take over the slums for themselves. The fact that the film's backstory is deeply rooted in Brazilian politics power, corruption, and lies only adds to the dreadful tension that permeates the film. "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" presents the question--which is worse: the dirty politicians who run the city, or the violent cartels who oversee the slums? Padilha's film offers no easy answers, but the title is a tip off as to where at least his sympathies lie. The performances are solid across the board, though Moura is the only actor who is given a three-dimensional character. His strained relationship with his son and ex-wife most notably. The other major players are presented in rather broad strokes; easily recognizable which allow us to keep moving forward without much confusion. Still, even during its slickest Hollywood-style action sequences, it's hard to ignore the unyielding, socially conscious anger which fuels the movie. The action sequences are swift, violent and sharply-crafted; designed as simultaneously thrilling and stomach-churning affairs. While "The Enemy Within" is not as punchy as its trigger-happy predecessor "Elite Squad" (2007), the film remains an intriguing slice of drama with the advantage of a much more balanced standpoint.The gritty documentary-style filmmaking serves the story well, and the screenplay (a collaboration between director Jose Padilha and "City of God" writer Braulio Mantovani) maintains our interest with a well-constructed storyline. Previous crime dramas such as "City of God" (2002), "Carandiru" (2003) and Padhila's own 2002 debut "Bus 174" have helped make Brazilian cinema an important tool for spreading awareness as well as an internationally critically acclaimed medium thankfully, "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" successfully continues with this trajectory.    … Expand
  3. Kelu
    9
    Build upon the spectacular success of it's predecessor, the second installment of Tropa de Elite is quite a different movie. The plot is deeper, better thought out, even more engaging and, dare I say it, more mature. Nascimento, now outside of BOPE and locked behid the desk, tries to take on the system, treading carefuly in the dangerous zone where crime, corruption, intrigue and politics mix - zone where every step could be his last. Yet, devoted to his work, he grows distant to his beloved son... Elite Squad: The Enemy Within has a bigger budget than the first movie, and it shows in pretty every single aspect. A polished, vibrant, original movie, a must see for the fans of Tropa de Elite and quite a fine movie, worth watching for everyone else.… Expand

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