Is this similar to City of God? - Beasts of No Nation (2015) Discussion

[–] randyhndrsn 9 years ago

I would say they have a lot in common visually and the way the actors are used, but they are different films on a lot of levels, I probably like City of God more but this is a great film too.

It sort of reminded me of empire of the sun or grave of the fireflies with the way we see war from a kids POV, but it's got a style all it's own that leaves an impression.

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[–] Stijak91 9 years ago

Grave of the Fireflies and Empire of the Sun are tonally much different compared to Beasts of No Nation. Yes, all 3 films are told from a child's perspective amidst a war, but that's where all similarities end.

It has more in common with Idi i smotri (1985). I recommend you check it out if you haven't, but beware it's not an easy film to watch.

I never finish anyth

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[–] Chocolegz 9 years ago

Oh thank you. I will be checking out Idi i Smortri.

It's ok to like more than one actor. :))

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[–] Stijak91 9 years ago

Cool to hear that, I hope you like it. It's beautifully shot, incredible cinematography. I consider it to be the strongest anti-war film I've seen (I've seen plenty). It's a coming of age story, the loss of innocence, but also the loss of sanity. War really is hell. This films shows it.

Truth is, you're Donny and I'm Walter.
But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be The Dude.

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[–] Ray_Tango 9 years ago

I actually preferred this to City of God. The comparisons end at about the 20 minute mark. This film takes a very sudden and intense turn that sustains itself until the epilogue (final 10 minutes). This film is more tonally consistent than City of God. Its visuals are more classically epic, and its content more confrontational.

Action Hero's Anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9Cpb61R-4U

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[–] workbumpf 9 years ago

Great analysis.

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[–] randyhndrsn 9 years ago

Yeah I get liking it more, though I don't think City of God has tone issues that aren't intentional by the filmmaker, he's telling different stories and trying to make them feel different.

Like how Godfellas completely changes tone in the third act, always felt the same way with City of God, very Scorsese where I would say Beasts of No Nation falls in line with more of a Herzog film.

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[–] extraordinarilyordinary 9 years ago

Yes. But more sad/depressing imo

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[–] jaerell626 9 years ago

It's more similar to Johnny Mad Dog...but not many people have seen that movie.

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[–] Fisherman82 9 years ago

Another great movie that a lot of people have not seen.

Raylan Givens: I'm going to need an ambulance, and a coroner.

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[–] ProfessorPatPending 9 years ago

Yep, a lot more like Johnny Mad Dog. I preferred Johnny Mad Dog, but this was a good film

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[–] PoppyTransfusion 9 years ago

Johnny Mad Dog is the superior film; ragged and raw, ugly and offering the audience little leeway with guilt and discomfort.

I'm scared of the middle place between light and nowhere

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[–] jonruff108 9 years ago

This film was much better in my opinion. I know City of God is held very high among movie-goers but I didn't care much for it and its distracting cinematography.

Beasts of No Nation deals with similar themes but it's completely different and handled much better (in my opinion).

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[–] sean-goddard 9 years ago

Sounds like you're in the honeymoon phase. Just watched a good film, and all of the sudden it is one of the best of all time.

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[–] jonruff108 9 years ago

Really? I rated City of God a 7 and Beasts an 8. I don't understand how that qualifies as one of the "best of all time." The movie was fantastic, and one of the best of the year so far, but don't put words into other people's mouths.

"As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible" - Mr. Nobody
My ratings include TV shows

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[–] rosanna_rosannadanna 9 years ago

Should've told him to avoid taste and judgement as well.

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[–] zerosum-1 9 years ago

Whoa look at you giving a city of god a 7. You're a *beep*

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[–] Positively_Annoying 9 years ago

Not too similar. I liked City of God but it does seem a bit over-the-top which made it harder for me to related to and care about the characters. Beasts of No Nation is populated with characters and scenes that draw you in. It's impossible not to care; the portrayals are amazing.

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[–] gjmeister 9 years ago

Over the top? You know it's based on a true story right?

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[–] Positively_Annoying 9 years ago

Yes, "based on..."

I thought the film maker's style was a bit over the top. I enjoyed the film, and the acting was fine but I didn't connect emotionally with any of the characters based on some of the film maker's decisions.

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[–] BeetJuice 9 years ago

Yes, the movie did remind me of City of God. I thought it was better than City of God though.

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[–] sean-goddard 9 years ago

Very similar in terms of using young African boys and the loss of their innocence.

With that said, City of God is a much better film with a wider scope and much greater character development.

Both are good though. City of God is a masterpiece, however.

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[–] Positively_Annoying 9 years ago

City of God is in Brazil. Those aren't African boys.

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