We’re still not quite sure how this film happened, but we’re so glad it did. A fairly by-the-book script by a prolific TV cop show writer, directed by Werner Herzog and starring Nicolas Cage at his sweaty, twitchy peak—it’s just too good to be true and boy is it good. The supporting cast includes Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, Fairuza Balk, Brad Dourif, and a pair of iguanas that only Cage’s character can see.

WHAT CRITICS SAY:

“Only Herzog could take something as soul deadening as a multiplex shoot-’em-up and turn it into a vehicle for wonder.” – J.R. Jones, The Chicago Reader

“Fueled by Nicolas Cage’s performance — which requires adjectives as yet uncoined, typed with both the caps-lock key and the italics button engaged — Mr. Herzog’s film is a pulpy, glorious mess.” – A.O. Scott, The New York Times

“If Cage was looking for a vehicle in which his hyper-emoting would be dramatically justifiable, he found one here.” – Todd McCarthy, Variety