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Mesrine: Killer Instinct
Mesrine: Killer Instinct Image
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Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Cécile De France, Gérard Depardieu, Vincent Cassel
  • Summary: Mesrine: Killer Instinct introduces us to Jacques Mesrine, a loyal son and dedicated soldier back home and living with his parents after serving in the Algerian War. Soon he is seduced by the neon glamour of sixties Paris and the easy money it presents. Mentored by Guido (Gerald Depardieu) Mesrine turns his back on middle class law-abiding and soon moves swiftly up the criminal ladder. After pulling off an audacious heist he and his lover Jeanne (Cecile de France) flee to Canada where the opportunity of one big payout lures him out of hiding and propels his towards international notoriety. (Music Box Films) … Expand
  • Director: Jean-François Richet
  • Genre(s): Action, Biography, Drama, Thriller, Crime
  • Rating: R
  • Runtime: 113 min
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    100
    The films never lose sight of Mesrine the man, a fascinating character in that he's brutal yet extremely intelligent, has a skewed but discernible conscience, and, under the right circumstances, can be warm and generous.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    90
    It makes for continuously riveting, visceral entertainment that evokes a Gallic "Scarface" without the drugs.
  3. Time Out New York
    Reviewed by: Joshua Rothkopf
    60
    This disappointing dramatization, mounted with generic blandness by Jean-François Richet, makes no case for the man's larger significance, nor does any emotional digging at all. Such detachment was no doubt considered artistically shrewd-it's a big mistake.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. skye7144
    8
    Riveting, action packed crime drama, with a mesmerizing performance by Vincent Cassel as Mesrine, the legendary French criminal. Amazed that I didn't know anything about this movie before I walked into the theatre, was glued to my seat for two hours, didn't want to chance missing anything for popcorn or a trip to the bathroom. Last hour of the movie superior to the first, detailing his burgeoning violence, his desire to defy the authorities at any cost, and his notorious infamy. That is except for its see you later ending which was rather abrupt and awkward. But can't wait to see Part Two.… Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  2. avatar16
    7
    Il y a une ambiance à l'américaine dans cette première partie de Mesrine. Cette dernière se montre assez noire, tendue et palpitante. Tout ce qui peut manquer à un film français en fin de compte! Et on peut dire que Mesrine - L'Instinct de Mort est une véritable surprise car il n'est pas un simple biopic pompeux mais bien un polar superbement mis en scène et interprété à la perfection (Vincent Cassel au sommet, mais n'oublions pas Gérard Depardieu, Cécile de France, Gilles Lellouche...). Dommage cependant que les scènes s'enchaînent à un rythme (trop) effréné, à cause d'un scénario qui abuse des ellipses et d'un montage quelque peu brouillon. De ce fait, on a l'impression de passer à côté de beaucoup de choses vécues par Mesrine. Mais pour qu'un film français soit enfin de cette envergure, on ne va pas cracher dessus!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. MarcDoyle
    7
    The lead actor is excellent, and he's just repugnant enough that you're not rooting for him like you'd typically root for the bad guy in a movie like this. The supporting actors are uniformly outstanding. Even though I knew this is part one of two, it really ends rather abruptly - almost like they produced both parts to be seen back-to-back with a short intermission. I'll certainly see part 2, despite the fact that it's pretty clear how it will all turn out from the directors use of the uroboros.… Expand
    • 3 of 3 users said yes

Trailers

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