Why can't America make movies like this? This is another fine foreign mystery/thriller that, unlike American films, doesn't follow a simple formula and takes time to build the mood and develop characters.This is a much more effective method of building tension, rather than just going for the easy money shots constantly.Reviewers who can't follow the plot or who think there are a lot of unanswered questions, must not be very good at inference, since the entire movie ties up pretty much perfectly if you think about it, and I like movies that require a bit of thought. About the only criticism I have of this movie is a general one, and that is that this movie, like so many other very well-made films nowadays, is really immersed in the dark side of life. This is likely a reflection of our times, but every now and then, I would like to see a really well-made realistic but less morally ambiguous film, something tilted a bit more towards the light than the dark. Other than that, once you start watching this film, you just can't stop. It is really brilliant, compelling and original.

A highly recommended film that fills more than expectations. A film that grabs you from start to finish. It is one of the best noir cinema that has been made in Spain, the kind of film that proves that a small story can be much more meaningful than a larger one. Jose Coronado is superb, cold, wild and credible. The cinematography is stark and bare, with only the soundtrack adding some effect. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do however drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose, so I can accept them. Nothing to laugh at. Heartfelt and riveting from the first frame to the last.

There is no man more dangerous than a man with facial hair and a shotgun , this is a lesson American learned in the 1970s thanks to Charles Bronson and Enrique Urbizu clearly never forgot and as he demonstrates it in ¨No Peace For The Wicked¨ (No Habra Paz Para Los Malvados) . It deals with a burned-out cop named Santos Trinidad becomes involved a triple murder but there is a witness that manages to getaway . Meantime, Judge Chacon (the singer Helena Miguel in his second acting) helped by Comisario Leiva (Juanjo Artero) are investigating the murders, but what seems to be a case of killing spree , actually is something far more dangerous . Santos attempts to eliminate clues but in the process , he uncovers an Islamist cell scheming diabolic plans .The comeback of one of the most gripping Spanish film noir directors after an eight year absence . Urbizu is the director of No Peace For The Wicked (No Habra Paz Para Los Malvados), an upcoming 'tough cop with big gun' movie coming out of Spain . From start to finish action-packed , fast-paced ,thrills , emotion and suspense is continuous . It is one of the best noir film that have been realized in Spain, is a thriller that keeps you interested and expecting . José Coronado, Rodolfo Sancho, and Helena Miquel star in the sort of story we've seen many times before - a police inspector is part of a shootout that leaves three people dead and the suspect on the run, thereby casting suspicion on himself - but one that is always fun when executed with style and Urbizu certainly seems to have that. Jose Coronado is simply awesome , he steals the show as a veteran and violent police with dark secrets , furthermore a good support cast as Rodolfo Sancho, son of recently deceased Sancho Gracia and Pedro Mari Sanchez , an actor working from his childhood as well as Juanjo Artero of ¨Verano Azul¨. The motion picture was professionally directed by Enrique Urbizu . He is an expert on Thriller as proved in ¨Todo Por la Pasta¨, ¨Caja 507¨ and on comedy such as ¨Cuernos Mujer¨, ¨Como Ser Infeliz¨ and ¨Tu Novia esta Loca¨.No Rest for the Wicked gained various winners for the 2012 Goya Awards , as the 26th Annual Goya Awards , presented by the Academia De las Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas De España (Spanish Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences), is "Spain's main national film awards, considered by many in Spain, and internationally, to be the Spanish equivalent of the American Academy Awards ; it won : Director Enrique Urbizu ,Original Screenplay for Enrique Urbizu and Michel Gaztambide, and Adapted Screenplay . Rating : Good , a highly recommended picture , worthwhile seeing .

This film has won the most important awards given by the Spanish film industry, the Goyas, for best film, best director and best main actor(among others). I had great expectations when I got the DVD. However, once the opening scene is over, the film becomes a dull and confusing chase between the main character, the psychotic policeman Santos Trinidad, and his nemesis the instruction judge Chacón and the straight policeman Leiva. There are too many characters to be remembered and the inclusion of the 2004 Madrid bombings plot is too accurate to the point of resulting vaguely ridiculous. The worse part of the film for me was the absolute lack of understanding of why this man behaves as he does, other than been an alcoholic and a loner. This character has been widely praised here, but to me is a completely flat , unidimensional rendering of a supposedly complex human being. No redeeming features at all, miles away from the Javier Bardem character in No country for old men , for instance. The idea that all immigrants in Spain are basically whores, drug traffickers, radical Islamic militants or terrorists is deeply unsettling. I doubt that this film would have found financing in France, the UK or the US, as it is basically highlighting a reactionary message of incompetence of the democratic institutions ( the law and order represented by the instruction judge and the clean policeman) to act against rampant drug trafficking, Islamic terrorism, and police corruption. To avoid disaster, we are only left to luck. I have already mentioned how poor is the Jose Coronado acting, but he is excellent compared to other crew members. Juanjo Artero is a very popular TV actor in Spain, whose rendition on his character is awful even by his own standards (there is a TV series here named El Barco, the boat, where he is the main character, wonderful laughing stock). The former young heartthrob Pedro Mari Sanchez comes back as the fat, spectacled and corrupt superintendent from the anti-terrorist unit. Age has changed him , but his acting skills remain extremely limited. Same goes to the female instruction judge, a beautiful but rigid and stiffened young woman called Helena Miguel. Perhaps she might be luckier next time if she gets the chance. In summary, a overpraised police film based on a confusing plot, unbelievable characters and terrible acting. I would mention that the general atmosphere of suburban contemporary Spain is well drawn. But the deep message of this superficial film is certainly very unsavory.