This film is great. All the losers slamming it are just low-key right-wing supporters who are disappointed it didn't end up like they were thinking it would. It was heading the way they wanted and then when it took a turn they got pissed. They can't fathom the situation, so they have to cry foul. It doesn't fit with their perception of how things "really are" so they have to bash it. It's a fictitious story, but they would have you believe that it's too far removed from reality, which is not the case.

The "critics" trying to rip on technicalities like cinematography or camera work or whatever are just reaching here. I'm a video editor. This film is incredibly shot. Almost every scene is a one-shot continuous camera shot and done perfectly. And these people are complaining about it?! They're just reaching for something that isn't there because the actual subject matter makes them uncomfortable. The lighting in every scene is superb, and the backdrop is unwaveringly urban to the point you can taste the concrete. It's near perfect. It is so well done.

Just watch this film and enjoy it for what it is. Don't let these fake and butt-hurt "reviewers" deprive you of an excellent watch. They always feel the need to come on here and try to dissuade you right away because it's not up their alley, but don't miss out on an overall top-notch flick.

Athena - there is a reason the movie is called that - and a reason for my summary headline. So no pun intended - at least not from my side of things. Athena was (or is, if the Greek Gods still live but are just forgotten) the Goddess of Justice. The name is also the name of a building - but again Gavras of Greek descent knows why he chose that name.

You do not have to know this to to enjoy the movie - or understand it in any shape or form. You will be able to understand the rage - the disappointment. You may not agree with how that is channeled and used ... violence begets violence. There is a vicious circle ... and maybe if you agree you may think there is no other way to make people understand ... to actually get results ... but is it really helping? Whatever the case may be - the movie is powerful. Visually and otherwise ... the long shots are amazing to say the least. The effects are spot on - again no pun intended.

If you are a fan already you do not need more convincing ... but Gavras seems to have learned or rather got it from his father (are we talking legacy here?) ... well done! No pun intended.

Athena is one of the most surprising films I've seen this year and I think it's safe to say I ended up loving it, I didn't know what to expect going in and this film wonderfully surprised me, while it's basically a retelling of the year between George Floyd's death and the trial in 2021, but it managed to put a few twists and turns in also.

It's a visual spectacle with a brilliant atmosphere, beautiful cinematography and truly bone cracking fight scenes, our main character, Abdel, is brilliant, Dali Benssalah put on a truly raw and powerful performance perfectly portraying the pain we all felt during the time of violence and riots.

The musical score is absolutely wonderful, wow, it's some of the best I've heard since Causeway, Athena manages to give us a driven character story while also having a somewhat breathtaking ending to pull it all together, and I'm proud to say I loved it.

Athena gets an A-