Saying that a movie is "not for the critics, but for the fans" means usually "I know I made a bad movie, but I don't wanna admit it". Nobody said it about 60 MINUTEN, but "for the fans" applies here in the best possible way.
This a movie for people who appreciate the ridiculousness of certain action movie tropes. People who are willing to laugh WITH the movie and not at it. It's pretty obvious that everybody involved here was on the same page. The movie's plot revolves basically around an unstoppable fighter who pisses off the whole Berlin underworld, because he can't miss his daughter's birthday party. And yet, it is all played completely straight faced and with the gravitas of a serious drama.
Apart from that, 60 MINUTEN also scores with really well done fights, full of long takes and impressive stunts, and a good semi-real time gimmick. I think they could've pushed the "What else is gonna happen to make him miss his deadline" angle a bit further though. On the other hand: They have an action movie that takes place in Berlin and have a fight in a bunker looking Techno club. They "understood the assignment", as the kids say these days.
Now don't get me wrong. As much as I enjoyed it, giving it 8 stars is for me a bit generous. It doesn't do anything innovative or outstanding. It is "just" 100% solid. BUT! It is German and Germans rarely have the chance to do action movies like that. So making one that can stand toe to toe with a good bunch of modern day US actioners is good enough for the prestigious 8 star rating IMO.
This a movie for people who appreciate the ridiculousness of certain action movie tropes. People who are willing to laugh WITH the movie and not at it. It's pretty obvious that everybody involved here was on the same page. The movie's plot revolves basically around an unstoppable fighter who pisses off the whole Berlin underworld, because he can't miss his daughter's birthday party. And yet, it is all played completely straight faced and with the gravitas of a serious drama.
Apart from that, 60 MINUTEN also scores with really well done fights, full of long takes and impressive stunts, and a good semi-real time gimmick. I think they could've pushed the "What else is gonna happen to make him miss his deadline" angle a bit further though. On the other hand: They have an action movie that takes place in Berlin and have a fight in a bunker looking Techno club. They "understood the assignment", as the kids say these days.
Now don't get me wrong. As much as I enjoyed it, giving it 8 stars is for me a bit generous. It doesn't do anything innovative or outstanding. It is "just" 100% solid. BUT! It is German and Germans rarely have the chance to do action movies like that. So making one that can stand toe to toe with a good bunch of modern day US actioners is good enough for the prestigious 8 star rating IMO.