This is a brilliant if dark movie. Showing corruption of the Soviet system in stark and horrific colors and the high price it put on the human soul, this cynical piece of movie making is based on a true story. And it rings true. More horrific than most horror movies, it is well worth a watch. It may scar you, so beware. But it is one hell of a great movie.

Balabanov considered this to be one of his best films. Cinematically Cargo 200 is pretty solidly made, it is an effective period piece horror film laden with social commentary on the disintegrating Soviet system, just prior to its collapse a few years later. It discusses police corruption, alcoholism, the black market, the nepotism of the communist party, the Afghanistan war, and the party enforced 'scientific atheism'. It is likely not a coincidence that the key antagonist, played skillfully by Alexei Poluyan, resembles Stalin's head of secret police, Nikolai Yezhov (Poluyan had previously played the role of a ruthless Soviet secret police officer in Rogozhkin's "Chekist"), and that Felix Derzhinsky's bust figures prominently in one shot. The characters are very real, performances are effective, the cinematic treatment is Balabanov's traditional medium to wide shot (with a more static camera than usual), accompanied by period pop tunes carrying the soundtrack. The drama is suspenseful, and what is implied off screen adds to it. Personally I would have preferred if the story didn't enter horror territory (something Brother 1 and 2, and even War didn't do), that would make the social commentary more effective and broaden its audience (though Balabanov was a typical Russian director in that he didn't much care for public opinion). Having both combined in one is overload, although if you're a bonafide horror fan (which I'm not) your opinion may differ and feel free to add some more stars to my assessment.

Gruz 200 is one of the most profound insights into the horror which the Soviet atheist and murderous era has delivered upon the Russian people and many other nations. Balabanov shows this through an every-day human drama which seems to develop in very non-dramatic way. But while you think you're watching a boring movie about Russian daily comings and goings of some boring people, you don't realize you're drawn into a penetrating story, a drama of much greater magnitude and meaning. The film is so thick with emotion, and blunt about the senselessness of life under communism, this great and beastly utopia, that when you are into it you are taking it in as if it were a nail-biting thriller. This is a true horror story. It is based on true events.You will be haunted and may not be able to sleep well after you watch it. Dumb zombie movies will seem like a stupid Hollywood scary feast of fake blood and guts compared to Gruz 200. There is no blood in this movie though, at least not in any gratuitous way.The viewer would appreciate the optimistic ending. I would not call it a "happy ending."Balabanov's genius is in his honesty. One who knows communism, its deceitfulness, its godlessness and the tremendous hatred for normalcy and honesty will appreciate this aspect of the director's approach.I highly recommended this movie. Balabanov is a master story-teller, as one other reviewer appropriately noted - he is "heavy- handed" but his madness has a method. And that method delivers an unforgettable message, so does the cast.I do not think I will be exaggerating, (basing my opinion on this and one more film of his) if I say that Balabanov may be compared to the great dissidents and authors that his nation has born from within their history laden with tyranny, cruelty and tragedy. He is presenting a picture which is so haunting because it is exposing the real face of a hateful and evil regime; therefore his message is optimistic and liberating. Gruz 200 is a masterpiece.

In my opinion, Malenkaya Vera is a better film at showing the decay of the USSR in it's last days. It's also more accessible to the foreign viewer. There was a lot that was lost in translation in Gruz 200, and it requires more knowledge of Soviet history to truly understand the film. That said, the look of the film was very good. The soundtrack is effective too. The disco scene at the beginning was one of my favorites, especially with the guys doing the robot in the background.Balabanov is heavy handed as usual, but then that is part of what I enjoy about his films. He is truly an original filmmaker. He should also be commended for trying to put an end to unwarranted nostalgia for the Soviet Union.