HANGMAN

US, 2017, 98 minutes, Colour.
Al Pacino, Karl Urban, Brittany Snow, Joe Anderson, Sarah Shahi.
Directed by Johnny Martin.

Hangman is in the vein of police detection and serial killers. However, it was heavily criticised on release, the plot holes in the story of the serial killer, on the work of the police and their roles, as well is the introduction of a journalist who accompanies the detectives in their pursuit of the killer. There was also criticism of the dialogue, and there are some very arch pieces in the film, and a criticism of the acting, even including Al Pacino.

The supporting cast includes Brittany Snow as the Germans, Karl Urban as the intense fellow detective and Joe Anderson as the killer.

There are car chases, hangings and rescues, including the journalist and the captain, an interesting visit to a church where a reverent has surpassed prison record, has discovered ministry and works for rehabilitation.

At the end, with the revelation of the killer, there is some link from the past with an investigation by.

Dir, Johnny Martin, is better known for many decades of supervising stunt work for films.

1. Police in detection thriller? Serial killer?

2. The American city, police precincts, the streets, warehouses, rail lines, schools? Authentic feel? Musical score?

3. The poor reviews of the film, despite the cast? Dialogue, performances?

4. The focus on the detectives, Ray archer and the car chase? His ears of action? Retired? The touch of the cynical? The contrast with Will Ruiney?

5. Ruiney and his discussion with Christie Davies, her journalistic background, return to the city, the interview, filming it, wanting to accompany him in his work? The police allowing it? Except for the criticisms of the captain?

6. The hanging, the children at the desk, the numbers of archer and Ruiney, the challenge? The drawings, the Hangman game? Clues? Archer and his crossword puzzles, Latin?

7. Serial killings, the hangings, hanging on the train line, Ruiney and his wanting to rescue the victim? The growing puzzles, following the clues, Christie and her accompaniment?

8. The address, the visit to the church, the Rev and his past imprisonment, working in rehabilitation? Information?

9. The cumulative effect? Ruiney and his growing desperation and reckless action? Archer and his perseverance?

10. The interviews with the captain, being in a wheelchair, her stern attitudes? The attack on her, her being rescued? The attack on Christie and her being rescued?

11. Confronting the Hangman? The link with archer, the past, his father, the Hangman’s resentment?

12. Confrontation, archer being shot, Ruiney and his reaction?

13. The familiarity with the serial killer thrillers and detection? Similarities? Differences?