First Reactions from Critics to The Rover Still
I don’t think I’ve truly recovered from the epic release last night of that first official The Rover still. Â The reaction has been very positive. Â For those who follow us on Twitter you will have seen this morning that Vertigo drew my attention to Matt Joseph’s (We Got This Covered) reaction. Â I thought I’d bring it on over here seeing as I know some of you aren’t on social media.
“There’s a lot of reasons to look forward to The Rover. Firstly, its director David Michod’s follow-up to the extremely successful and very well made Animal Kingdom, a film that I was really, really impressed by. Secondly, it stars two actors who are often overlooked: Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce.
Allow me to clarify that last comment. Yes, Pattinson is a mega-star but his acting talents are usually downplayed. Most critics don’t give him enough credit but if you’ve seen him in anything outside of Twilight, you’ll know that he’s quite a talented individual, capable of giving great performances. For all the backlash he gets for starring in the Twilight films, I actually really enjoy Pattinson as an actor and am very happy to see him taking on more mature, dramatic roles like this.”
As for Pearce, he’s one of my favourite actors currently working today. I honestly love this guy. He definitely gets a decent amount of exposure and acclaim, but he’s not as high up on the A-list as he should be.  Seriously, Pearce kills it in every role and I absolutely love watching him on screen. He’s a brillaint actor and I’m hoping his role in the upcoming Iron Man 3 will propel his star even higher.
…
Excited yet? We sure are. And can you blame us? The trio of Michod, Pattinson and Pearce is an extremely promising one and that first look photo above looks great, I can’t wait to see the two actors face off against each other.”
Vertigo – thanks again for bringing this to my attention earlier this morning. Â I agree with you – love it when fanboys get excited.
I thought I’d bring you a few more reactions too:
“Cameras are rolling on “The Rover,” and the the first snap of stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson promises a compelling showdown between the two actors. … no word yet on a release date, but we’d wager 2014. Either way, we’ll be looking forward to it.” The Playlist
“After proving his acting chops in last year’s twisted, overlooked David Cronenberg-directed drama Cosmopolis, Robert Pattinson is returning in 2013 with another highly-anticipated project, and after recently wrapping production [Maria:  no they haven’t], the first look has already arrived for The Rover. Coming from Animal Kingdom director David Michôd, he once again teams with Guy Pearce in the film set in the Austrialian [sic] outback.”  TheFilmStage [Maria: I’ll ignore their faux pas since they said “proved” his acting chops]
“Michod promises that The Rover is going to be “way more chillingly authentic and menacing†than those films. That’s some strong talk, but considering how great Animal Kingdom is, I’m inclined to take Michod’s word for it.” Collider [Maria:  Couldn’t agree more with Steve about believing Michod.  Mad Max is an iconic Aussie film and Michod doesn’t strike me as the type of person to talk himself up.]
And another reaction to Michod’s comment about Mad Max:
“That’s a bold statement, but I can see it. MAD MAX is great, but it’s always been more tongue-in-cheek then something you take seriously. With the next film in that franchise set to debut this year as well, it’ll be interesting to see how the two compare at the box office.” JoBlo
“The Twilight series made Robert Pattinson a star, but also put the 26-year-old actor into a deep dreamboat hole that can threaten the longevity of an actor’s career. So, taking a page from the smart pretty boys who came before him (Brad Pitt, Jude Law and Leonardo DiCaprio come to mind), he followed up his heartthrob role with something deeply indie, and niche-shatteringly deranged. David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis forced critics worn out by Twilight to reconsider Pattinson as he played a smarmy billionaire so numb he turns to self-destruction for salvation. And now, he’s gearing up for a different version of grittiness in David Michôd’s The Rover. … ” CinemaBlend [Maria: I’m not sure about calling them all smart pretty boys but oh well – whatever floats your boat].
“After shocking fans in his first post-“Twilight” film, David Cronenberg’s hallucinatory “Cosmopolis,” Robert Pattinson isn’t looking to sway back toward the mainstream quite yet. … Michôd’s description of Pattinson’s and Pearce’s characters couldn’t seem more on-the-money when looking at the first image. In the still, a ferocious looking Pearce shoves a gun into the face of a bloodied and beaten Pattinson.”  MTV
You know the drill, to read the full articles click on the hyperlinks.
17 comments on “First Reactions from Critics to The Rover Still”
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Michelle
Loving all these positive reactions, especially Matt Joseph’s. Still grinning now just as much as I did when I first read it this morning thanks to Vertigo. Seeing a person’s appreciation for Rob’s acting is something I can never ever get enough of, makes me so happy. No one deserves it more. Matt’s comments about Guy are so great too & I completely agree. He’s always been a fave of mine, love everything I have seen him in over the years. Am with you girls, is awesome when the fanboys get excited – LOVE it. “The Trio of Michod, Pattinson & Pearce” Oh I LOVE that 😀
Cannot wait for more praise like this to come Rob & the film’s way. I keep coming back & looking at the still & reading the text. Didn’t think I could be more excited for this film but I was wrong – after today my excitement has gone through the roof. Thanks for sharing these with us here Maria & love the .gif choice 😀
Sue
Dear Matt, I think I’m crushing on you right now, just a little bit …… thank you!
Maria, that gif you chose is brilliant, there’s just something so adorable about it.
So happy for Rob, when I read stuff like this. Thanks, Ladies, for keeping us all in the loop re reactions that I wouldn’t otherwise come across. You’ve made my day.
lise-lou
OMG how bloody brilliant! It feels like the universe has shifted or something. Finally people see what we have all been seeing for years. I am so proud and happy right now and quite speechless with joy. Thanks Vertigo and Maria these are just so freaking awesome. 🙂
Maria
@Michelle like to refer to that trio as “the Holy Trinity”.
Michelle
‘the Holy Trinity’ LOVE that Maria!
Silvie
This is GREAT. Thanks Maria. 😀 😀 😀
Sare
Looks like its getting a great first impression from critics. I’m glad Michod has separated it from Mad Max. I never really classed it as a gritty film.
Maria
@Sare I think you have to remember Miller’s Mad Max was released in 1979 and was probably one of the first Aussie films to tackle a futuristic desert and I think it was rated R due to violence (although by today’s standards it’s obviously not). Everything else around that time was historically based – Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975) etc. And to be honest I never understood why everyone just automatically assumed because it was futuristic desert it must be like Mad Max. I mean I don’t recall people saying oh Twilight is just like Interview with a Vampire – they have vampires in that that don’t feed on human blood.
Carmel
So it isn’t just us who are getting excited about The Rover. This is the company Rob is in now. Cronenberg, Michod, Guy Pearce, Christoph Waltz. He has been so smart about is career. Soon it will be these movies and these actors that Rob will be linked to in conversations
@ lise-lou – I can feel that ground shifting too. It is so bloody exciting.
Vertigo
*backflips* at these wonderful reactions … and all from one still and Michod’s run down. heeeeeeee! Imagine when we get the freakin trailer.
Roberta
Thank you Maria and Vertigo! I’m over excited about this guy words which I totally second!
Sanguine
Thank you, Maria and Vertigo! I really appreciate you bringing so much for us to drool, er…, see to this site! I don’t tweet so I like reading yours on the site, too. Since I can’t give you a hug in person this will have to do! ((((hugs))))
Vicky
Happy dance is happening here!!!!!!
Maria
thanks @sanguine and it’s our pleasure
Jules
Wonderful post, thanks so much Maria….I’ve read them all several times now and can’t stop grinning from ear to ear. Just brilliant, so pleased for Rob….exciting times folks, exciting times. 🙂
Sare
@maria I completely agree with you. I was just talking to some people at work about the movie and when I said the Australian desert the first thing they said was ‘like Mad Max?’. Needless to say I walked away after putting them straight! Like you said, they’re both from different eras and completely different directors. From what we’ve heard and seen People who compare it to Mad Max will be shockingly surprised once they it!
Michelle
*waves to Vicky* we’ve missed you!