Tornado

Despite considerable thrills throughout, Maclean’s writing makes it seem as though his characters never actually existed in their world before the film started.

It’s a puzzle of a film in many ways, but it shows that Maclean has his own film-making language.

Unfortunately the idiosyncratic touches have usurped rather than bolstered what should be robust, time-honoured noir framework, and we’re left with a film which leaves only a superficial impression and little sense of purpose.

Tornado comes across as a violent thriller with a promising, audience-friendly premise and star as its centre, but the imbalance of its elements creates underwhelming results.

It's a pleasure to have Maclean behind the camera again, and this unusual and grisly tale represents a brand of cinema we could do with seeing more of.

The script is lean, the sword edges keen and the characters mean.

...a rip-roaring affair from John Maclean which is far more than a straight-down-the-line revenge tale..Tornado feels like the origin story of a samurai legend...the details are dank, persuasive and occasionally poetic...

Tornado is thoroughly gripping, often gorgeous and altogether unique enough that fans can only desperately hope it doesn’t take another decade to see what else the writer-director can do.

A revenge story set to the backdrop of beautiful rural scenery, it juggles intriguing themes and exciting action thrills with agile skill.

Tornado is something that feels completely fresh and unique, complete with a streak of absurdist humour as sharp as a katana blade.