Elite Squad: The Enemy Within Review

It's always exciting to watch a foreign movie with subtitles, especially a crime thriller that's new. We have so many crime shows in the US its getting so saturated that we are seeing less refreshing stories. I am not saying Elite Squad is a ground breaking story, for we have seen this type of story told many times. What probably makes this movie so enjoyable is the different atmosphere it presents and a glimpse of what crime could be like in a different country.

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is a foreign crime, drama, thriller that escalates with a bloody invasion of the BOPE in the High-Security Penitentiary Bangu 1 in Rio de Janeiro. The incident gets criticized when the skull officer in charge Lieutenant-Colonel Roberto Nascimento played by Wagner Moura and his second in command Captain Andre Matias played by Andre Ramiro are accused by the Human Rights member Diogo Fraga for unjust executions of prisoners. This creates chaos that leads to Matias being transferred to the corrupt Military Police, while Nascimento is recognized and promoted to work with the intelligence group of the Secretary of Security. Nascimento service eventually leads to expelling several drug gangs from heavily influenced slums, but creates an even worse adversary protected by political influence leading to mass killings and betrayal. 

Overall, this movie was the biggest box office film of Brazil and I can see why. The movie was action packed, the acting was superb with plots and twists that kept you on your toes providing an enjoyable crime thriller every step of the way. The only reason you may not enjoy this movie is the subtitles. Given there is a lot going on, reading while watching can be a disruption to the great film work this movie presents.

I give 'Elite Squad' an Imp Score of 3 out of 4 smiles. Great Entertainment worth watching!