It is a police film that bores me with its inane plot and the wide collage of flat characters that only works to make a plea about bureaucratic corruption in Brazilian society. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 5/10 | Apr 16, 2021

A glossier attempt at a story already told, but worth a look if you were impressed by the first film.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jun 27, 2019

Indeed, Padilha leaves it all on the floor with "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within," bodies and all, and that's what makes it thrilling.

| Jan 8, 2019

Its moments of action, along with its depiction of deeply entrenched social issues and politics, accompanied by an intensely provocative script makes Elite Squad: The Enemy Within a tough, but vital watch.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 15, 2018

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jan 22, 2013

The entire last half hour is just incredibly disingenuous.

| Jan 4, 2012

The pace is quick, the violence is rough, and the visual style is documentary as Padilha hammers home his point: Someone is forever in the pocket of someone else as The System constantly adapts to protect itself.

| Original Score: A- | Jan 4, 2012

When this Enemy Within settles into key action sequences, such as a stunning nighttime ambush or a daytime battle against Fabio, it becomes wildly entertaining.

Full Review | Jan 4, 2012

Padilha's film offers no easy answers, but the title is a tip off as to where at least his sympathies lie.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 9, 2011

Throttles forward with remarkable aplomb and easily leaves the original in the dust.

| Dec 8, 2011

A film that grabs you by the shirtfront and rarely lets up its grip.

| Original Score: B | Dec 8, 2011

The Enemy Within, it's not just the cops and robbers who are corrupt and greedy and barbarous, but also politicians and media representatives. The "system" is everywhere.

| Dec 7, 2011

Even if it's not as smart as it supposes itself to be, [the film] is still smart enough to be more than a decent way to waste time.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Dec 5, 2011

An epic crime drama from Rio de Janeiro with a thrilling pace and an over-the-top body count.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 2, 2011

Elite Squad is just urgent and complex enough to make it clear violence is more than a matter for academic debate.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 2, 2011

A fast-paced, hard-hitting Brazilian police thriller.

| Dec 2, 2011

Jammed with cliches but completely engrossing.

| Dec 1, 2011

Here's a Brazilian thriller that's so angry and specifically political, it's hard to believe they got away with making it.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 1, 2011

There is a deep sense of indignation at the core of The Enemy Within, a righteous fury that pelts every cog of "the system" like machine-gun fire.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 30, 2011

It resembles a flow chart splattered with blood and spittle, more static and smeary in tone than the finger-pointing corrective director-cowriter Jose Padilha intended.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Nov 17, 2011