Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: RIDERS OF JUSTICE [International Film Festival Rotterdam 2021 - Virtual]
The texture of revenge is based in a series of circumstances that are, at times, uncontrollable but ultimately indicative of the psyche that processes them. In "Riders Of Justice" [Limelight/Opening Night], the title itself is a misnomer since it is used on a series of assumptions as the lead character goes forward, led in essence by hapless wanderers trying to do the right thing but ultimately oblivious of what their actions might cause. Leading the pack as reluctant protagonist of sorts is chameleon extraordinaire Mads Mikkelsen, who always returns to his homeland of Denmark for films between his big budget films and series. This film, in many ways, is more mainstream than the darker character dramas he has made there in the past. It is more akin to the morality (and mortality) tales disguised as action films that Liam Neeson does here in the States. There is always some interesting bubblings below the surface with these characters...an inner story they keep for themselves.
Here Mikkelsen portrays an army officer who returns from duty after his wife is killed in a subway accident while his daughter survives unharmed. There is a conspiracy that runs below (but not really) but the trigger mechanism is in the form of 3 hapless computer guys who is as motley an awkward bunch as can be found. They have a bunch of heart, act like the Three Stooges almost and yet hide their own personal tragedies which come out and are responded to in unexpected ways. What comes about is a movie that can juggle tone across the spectrum which is interesting considering some of the rampaging that goes on. The key is that its gets into action mode and then depressurizes with humor. Some of the computer guys' mumblings and sidetracks seem a little effusive but ultimately strike the right balance. And one late addition to the motley crew is definitely unexpected but adds an ironic maternal instinct in a way that could not be foreseen. Granted the stakes vary in intensity as far as consequence but "Riders Of Justice" can be seen as a fable of sorts wrapped in a culture of repercussion with a laugh or two. B+
By Tim Wassberg
