Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Little Favour" is a 20-minute short film from 2 years ago and it was written and directed by Patrick Viktor Monroe, a man whose biggest career achievement so far had been being Tom Hardy's personal trainer on "Warrior". So it is not really a surprise that his work here turned into a pretty bad film. The lead actor is Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch and after watching him here, we should be glad that he does not appear in action films more frequently. Then again, he plays his usual shtick here: a man really gifted in a certain area, but who suffers either emotionally or physically even or both like in this movie.It's absolutely ridiculous how Cumberbatch beats up a couple men twice his size in here and how a little girl near the end does exactly the same. And then, if he cares so much for the kid, why would he randomly shoot around the moment he has a gun when the girl is near him. A really perfect example of bad writing. The ending isn't much better either with the guy from the beginning randomly reappearing all of a sudden at the evil guys' place. Monroe certainly tried to make a shocking film here, but completely failed. Cumberbatch proves once again that he is an actor without much range. The only somewhat okay performance was the bad guy, although he was 100% stereotypical as well. Do not watch.

sleggin This is the most beautifully produced and brilliantly acted student film I ever saw. It is also, despite the high-quality talent, a mess and muddle of a film. The villains are hackneyed stereotypes, the dialogue cliché-ridden and the character actions incomprehensible. The directing is so poor that at the pivotal moment of the film, the action we need to see is out of frame. Loyal Cumberbatch fans will surely praise it to the heavens and his extraordinary talent is on display, but it's simply not much of a story and poorly told, at that, with the very serious issue it touches on at the end handled in an offensively shallow manner.

Joko This review doesn't contain major spoilers, yet may hint at some plot points, especially the big twist.I wasn't overly impressed by this short. No doubt, it's a well made short, with solid acting and some beautiful shots. Yet neither the (many) action scenes really convinced me through innovative shots and the roughness of it just seemed a little bit fake, nor the "story" really, which is just there to justify the action.There is one big twist towards the end, that plays with the typical action flick cliché of the man being the savior and the little girl being the one that he needs to protect. The twist wasn't to expect and was pulled off nicely, so that's a big plus. So calling the short "conventional" may seem a bit odd. But:Sadly, it seemed like the short staged everything to just get to that twisty moment to be like: "Well how about that, now look at that twist, isn't that clever? That makes the whole short brilliant, doesn't it?"No, it doesn't. And what the hell does all of it mean, why are we watching this twist, what's behind it? Those questions don't get answered.By the way: When you can get Cumberbatch to play a role in your short, give him something to act! Really now, giving him that little (looking cool, looking beaten up, looking confused)... that's almost a sin.Overall still a solid short, well done! Just not that outstanding.

Viktor Vedmak (realvedmak) Version I just saw was 18 minutes long (plus credits).When it comes to short movies I never know what to expect. Sometimes great things can be done in little time on screen. Usually I see short films as part of some sort of compilation, like ABC's of Death.Its hard to give review for this film without revealing plot.Its quick, action paced movie, constant action for most of it, and its one of those things you either love or hate, nothing in between.I found beginning bit vague, the first three minutes, but its quickly apparent what happens why, then we have masterfully executed plot twist, and great ending.I want to see more from makers of this.