There's one definite reason why one should see this movie: Christian Bale. For people who liked him, this is one film that would make you like him more. And for people who don't, it's one film that would unquestionably turn your distaste to admiration for this one solid hell of an actor. Frankly, I did not expect Mr Bale to be THIS GOOD. Damn, should the Academy Awards rightfully realise that they had deprived somebody without the Best Actor trophy back in the year 2000. I entirely liked the film. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed its brutality. I enjoyed its sheer star power, its murderous instincts, gore, plot, stupendous performances, its gruesome moments, its dark humour, its absurdities and its perfect awesomeness. And to think, it rarely happens for a person like me to adore, even at the least, movies like this which has the facade of a slasher flick. It's somewhat a slasher flick, but so to speak, it's more than just your average slasher run-for-your-life movie. No wonder why JoBlo rated this film perfectly. 10/10, my bloody f-ing hell. Based on Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel with the same title, women seemed to consider this film as a mysogynist, sexist filth and others were utterly horrified by its violence and its depiction of brutality. That's why this film isn't for all kinds of audiences. I accept the fact that this is a kind of film in which not all people would like to have and play it on the comfort of their own televisions. But what I really like in the film was the portrayal of an almost unrealistic character that tries to prod on the realistic part of the world. It's a satire alright. Set on the American era of 1980's, this film ventures into the deeper instinct present in all men, I presume, the instinct of killing. It delves into the dark and dreary world of human desperateness, where intelligence seemed to bolt out of consciousness and what's left on a person in nothing but only animal savagery.It follows a story of a successful Harvard graduate, a 27-year old Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), who's a professional Wall Street broker, aiming for Vice-President position in the firm, who lives in a perfect life, with a perfect secretary, perfect fiancee, a perfect expensive apartment suite, has a perfect limo and a perfect fancy business card. Yet there's only one problem. He has a perfect killer instinct. He has a lust for blood, and it's insatiable, and he's lacking of emphaty for fellow human beings. He kills and he forgets about mercy.What I really love in the film was it's incredible touch on the dark side of humour. The scene where Bateman dances with the rhythm of "Hip To Be Square" by the Huey Lewis and the News, holding a shiny silver axe ready to strike, and having his own usual pre-murder pep-talk, was a definite unforgettable movie moment. It's funny, darkly funny, and I can't help but feel the guilty pleasure in seeing it. Patrick Bateman in a troubled guy, but he knows how to conceal it within himself. He knew how to hide his frustrations, especially when the time he presented his fancy business card only to find several of his partners having more posh business cards, more posh than his. He's a kind of person who hides everything deep inside, and the only way he could push the anger out of himself is to hold a knife, or an axe, and murder somebody. Never, never in my movie-watching history I have seen a character killing a beggar for his own therapy and stomping a dog over and over again with solid black heels. I wonder what has the MPAA said about this thing. For me, it's not R-18. Even 18 year old people seemed to be in shock watching this.I also like the way vanity is portrayed in this film. Patrick Bateman is a kind of man who cares about himself. And I mean, entirely. He has I think 10 kinds of body wash in his bathroom, and he uses so many face scrubs and face mask for his own vanity. He has a closet-full of VERY EXPENSIVE suits and ties. He always does sit-ups and push-ups every single morning to keep fit, while a porn movie plays on the background television. He always visit the spa for manicure and facial treatment. It's all vanity, and it's called being a metrosexual. It's depicted in the 80's and very few men who care about themselves the way he does, men who's on the top of the line, men who achieve so much in the world of business. Yet, even though he holds a god-like face, there's an uglier soul deep inside, a soul who doesn't knew about humanity.Bateman was a character who is bewildered by his environment, and yet struggling to fit in.
The character of Bateman indeed had become an American iconic character nowadays. He's ambitious, power-driven, yet darkly secretive, mixed with introspection, self-hatred and outer- loathing. I also think it's a politically correct film. It highly reflects society with its rude and brutal and raw element. As what Sigmund Freud told us in his philosophy, "without the id, humans would become the most savage kind of animal". And that makes this movie. The way Bateman tried to stumble out of his intelligence, the more he entertains the certain instincts in his, the more savage he becomes, the more untamed he becomes. And to sum it all, it all comes down to Christian Bale for portraying such a cool character. It's supposedly played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the first place, but I think, with all respect to the talents that Mr DiCaprio has, after watching this film, I couldn't think of any other actor playing this part other than Bale. It's a lifetime revolving performance, a powerhouse. Even though there's Willem Dafoe and Reese Witherspoon, it's all Christian Bale that brings the movie home. I tell you now. This film is disturbing, both graphically and visually. Also emotionally. It stirs and questions your intelligence. A kind of film that's supposedly mistaken to be somewhat like a porn movie, with all it's sex-crazed subject matter, threesome scenes and ehem - more sex- crazed freak-o-maniac like Bateman. It ascends to the level of Stanley Kubrick's haunting masterpiece, Eyes Wide Shut, but I do now realise that this is far better than the latter film. It's almost a taboo kind of film, but it's also a kind of film worth to watch, worth the treat. It's blatantly amazing. It's not for narrow-minded airhead. It's not for gore-haters. And specially not for conservative not-my-kind-of-sex saints. It's for open minded people. It's for people who knew about cinematography, about plotlines, about visual crafting and about filmmaking itself. And it's also for people who like 80's music like Genesis, Huey Lewis and the News and so on... that's what I like about it, a slasher flick with a cool soundtrack. Damn, why does Christian Bale have to play such a cool messed-up dude?! I mean, after watching this film, he won't get out of you head! He's brilliant! And to speak, he's a British guy and he played a perfect American caricature all by himself. So what's the fuss. Watch this film - alone. Just make sure you concentrate and enjoy and wild ride. Oh, by the way, there's also a one terrific ending in the film. It's one of the most unique film I've seen in ages.

Rating: A+