"Animal Kingdom" is a slow burn and I never really got completely involved in the main character but it's still one of the better movies of the year and a film that I like more as I keep thinking about it. The title of the film refers to the basic theme of the film - who's are the kings of the jungle and who are the prey; who's being protected and who's doing the protecting. The film is a slow burn but it keeps you on your toes. The acting is top notch with Joel Edgerton stepping forward as a guy who should probably get his 15 minutes in Hollywood soon. His role is especially impressive when you remember that he played the semi-mute Russian bodyguard in "Smoking Aces".

This is definitely not a film for everyone since it's a slow paced ride and almost cinema verite when compared to most American crime dramas but it's a very interesting film and the first time director figured out how to do it in under two hours; something that most American directors need to take note of since most of our crime dramas run at an often bloated 2.5 hours.

I'd recommend skimming the reviews and not watching the trailer because they give away some of the turns in the film. Just go in cold, sit back and enjoy.