Reviews: Inside Man - IMDb

Inside Man tells the story of a man named Dalton Russel, who leads a daring bank robbery that turns into a hostage situation. Now he's dealing with disgraced ... 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Hitchcoc9March2010 Thisisadecentbutnotparticularlymemorablemovie.IthoughtthatDenzelWashingtonwasprettygood,butheseemstohavesettledintoatype.Confidentandunyieldingandalwaysright(CoachBoonefromRemembertheTitans).ThisisfineandIenjoywatchinghim.Thismovieisaboutabankrobberywheretheperpetratorsareaftermorethanmoney.Ithastodowitharighteouscause,butwhathappensisthatthepossibilityofpullingitoffandgettingwhattheywantisonsuchfragilegroundthatyouneedtoaskthequestion,"Isn'tthereaneasierway?"Anyway,thescenesinthebankarequitegoodbutwereallyneedtoextendourdisbeliefattimes.I'vealwayswonderedaboutthat"getmeaplaneandamilliondollars"businessanyway.Well,there'salotmoretoitthanthat.Seethisandenjoythecharacters,butinthelongrun,it'sprettyfarfetched. 17outof20foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 9/10 SpikeLee'sEngagingA-TeamHeist-FilmScores Instant_Palmer14June2021 'InsideMan'engagestheviewerfromtheopeningscenethroughthecredits.OneofthebetterHeistfilmsonecanwatch,withanall-starcastofhighly-accomplishedactorsdeliveringthegoods.Recommendedviewing!Noordinaryfilmmaker,Leetapshisexpertiseinfilmmaking,applyingsuperiorcinematography,editing,anddirectionskills.HeadliningthefilmisDenzelWashingtonasthegoodguycop,andCliveOwenasthehighlyintelligentrobber(withthescreen-playthankfullyavoidingthecrazy/insanecliche'Bondmovievillaincharacterization)."Filling-in"asgoodasonewillfindinbankrobbercaperfilmsarethesuperiorsupportingcastperformancesofChristopherPlummer(whohasneverdeliveredanythingsub-parinhiscareer),JodieFoster(effectivelyplayingagainsther"type"),WillemDafoe(over-dueforanOscar),ChiwetelEjiofor(perfectsubtleside-armdetectivepartnertoDenzel),andacrosstheboardgoodperformancesbytheentiresupportingensemblecast.Leedoesn'ttrytoplayoutthebigsurpriseendingcliche',butinsteadallowsonetopiecethingstogetherasthefilmunfolds,lettingus"in"tothenarrativepiecebypiece.Thisisrefreshingandelevatesthefilmoverall.Reallyhardtofindanycriticalpiecemissinginthefilm.Editingandpacingexcellent,andeventhepotentiallypreposterousstoryideaworks.Yesthereareafew"identifyingthemagician'stricks"momentsinsidewhatcouldhavebeenaperceivedasanoverthetopnarrative,butoneoverlooksthosebecausethisisquitetheentertainingfilmanditisputtogethersowell-Wittydialoguedeliveredbysomeoftheall-timegreatactorswhowereperfectlycastontheirparts.Bravotoallconcerned👏,andtwothumbsup!👍👍 30outof34foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 8/10 anentertainingheistflick krigler3March2006 Note:Istayawayfromdescribingtheplotinanydetailbecauseitwouldbeveryhardtodosowithoutspoilingelementsofit."InsideMan"startsoutasanoholdsbarred,highoctaneaction-thriller,andbyitsmidpointfullytransformsintoabreezy,tongue-in-cheekheistmovie,reminiscentofTheSting.Ifeltittobealittleover-plotted,butthatcomeswiththegenre-theexpectedtwistsandturnsareallhere,thankfullymostlyinnon-expectedways.Contrivancesabound,andwedon'treallylearnthebackgroundoftheheist(ie.howtherobberslearnedabouttheirtarget)butthestoryandtheoverallatmospheremorethanmakeupforthis.Themeticulouslydesignedplotalsocompensatesforthelackofreal3Dcharacterization-saveforDenzelWashington'sambitiouspolicemanhero,whoatleastachievesalevelofhumanitythroughoutthestory.Thecharacterinteractionbetweenhimandhissidekick(ChiwetelEjioforof"Serenity"fame)andthefrustratedcaptainplayedbyWillemDefoeisgreatwithsomesparklingdialog.CliveOwenisokay,mostofthetimeconvincingasthecriminalmastermind,althoughhespendsmostofthefilmwearingamask.I'dsaythisfilmisharmlessfun,notyourusualSpikeLeefare,whichgoestoprovehisversatility.Thereisahintintheback-storyatsomeheavyissuesofthepast,butit'snothingmorethanamacguffinthatonlyachievessomeslightsignificanceintheresolutionofthemovie.Thereisaneatstructuraltrickeryintheuseofflash-forwardscenes,hintingtowardtheaftermathoftheheistwithoutgivingawaytherealending.It'susedsparinglyandcleverly.Icanhighlyrecommendthismovie,itisneverboringforamoment,what'smore,Iwasenjoyingitsomuchthataseventswereprogressingtowardtheclimax,Iwaswishingitwouldgoon.Andthat'sveryrareformeinthemoviesnowadays. 392outof485foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 6/10 SpikeLeeputstogetherA-listcast SnoopyStyle16June2014 DaltonRussell(CliveOwen)talksaboutaperfectbankrobberyfromwhatlookslikeaprisoncell.PolicedetectiveKeithFrazier(DenzelWashington),stillinthedoghouseforsomething,isgiventhebankrobbery.DetectiveBillMitchell(ChiwetelEjiofor)ishispartner.Therearehostages.ThebankpresidentArthurCase(ChristopherPlummer)hassomethingimportantinasafedepositbox.HebringsinfixerMadeleineWhite(JodieFoster).CaptainJohnDarius(WillemDafoe)istheuniformcopinchargeofthecrimescene.Therobbersseemmoreinterestedinthestorageroomthanthebankvaultorthedepositboxes.DirectorSpikeLeeismakingastylizedrobbery.It'swalltowallA-liststars.That'sactuallydistractingtohavesomanystarsscatteredinonemovie.IttakesawayfromanyrealismthatSpikewantstoinjectintothismovie.AlsoeverythingSpikedoeshereispointingtoasurprisereveal.Thereisteasing,butthisisoverteasing.Everythingisamystery.Wink!Wink!Againittakesawayfromanyrealism.Themysteriesarecompellingforawhilebutitgetstiresome.Therevealsarethebiggestaspectsofthismovie.It'sashockingrevealandthejoltisquiteenjoyable.Butthemoreonethinksaboutit,themoreproblematicitgets.Ihavequestionsabouttheinvestigation.Ihavequestionsaboutthescheme.Thecopsshouldhaveusedare-enactmenttoplaceeverybodyintheirspot.Thereisalsovideoofthecustomersbeforetherobbery.Theinvestigationshouldbeabletonarrowthesuspectsmuchbetter.Thentheyshouldhavetailedthesuspects.Ihavequestionsthatdon'tgetanswered. 18outof22foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 8/10 WithInsideMan,SpikeLeehascraftedaveryoriginalandexcitingthriller. PatrickRijnders14March2006 SpikeLeeisoneofthemostconsistentdirectorsoutthere.SaveforsomemoreunevenpictureslikeSheHateMeandGirl6,Lee'sbodyofworkisjustplainimpressive.AndwhileInsideManisnotuptherewithDoTheRightThing,Clockersand25thHour,itisdefinitelyanentertainingandintelligentthrillerthatdoesthingsalittledifferentlythanmostcookiecutterthrillersyouseeintheatersnowadays.AbankrobberyinNewYorkhasgottenoutofcontrol,andit'suptopolicedetectiveKeithFrazier(DenzelWashington)toactashostagenegotiatorandgetthebankpersonalandcustomersoutsafelybeforethingsturnevenworsethantheyalreadyare.Thisturnsouttobeatoughcase,sincetheleaderofthebankrobbers,DaltonRussell(CliveOwen),turnsouttobeaverysmartindividual,whohaseverythingplannedtoperfection,andwhothrowsupsurpriseaftersurpriseforFrazierandhismen.ButwhilethepeoplearoundFrazierareslowlygettingmoreandmorenervous,hehimselfdoesnotlosehismind,andbeginsahighstakesbattleofwitswithRussell.Thingsarefurthercomplicated,however,whenthemayorofNewYorkintroducesamysteriouswomantoFrazier.Thiswoman(JodieFoster)wantstoprotectsomethingthatishiddeninoneofthesafetydepositboxesinsidethebank,andshewillstopatnothingtoforceFraziertoletherinsidethebankandmakesurenothinghappenstothecontents.Thisallsoundslikeanintriguingpremiseforathriller,butthemoviegoesafewstepsfurtherthanjusthavinganinterestingplot.BecausewhileInsideMandoeshitalltherightnoteswhenitcomestokeepingyouguessingaboutwhatisreallygoingon,itisalsoverysuccessfulinmixingthegrittiermomentswithcomedyelements.Attimes,InsideManisveryfunny,butinawaythatdoesnotdeflatethetension.Thedialogueissharp,withtheconversationsbetweenFrazierandRussellbeingespeciallyfascinating,andbothactorsareatthetopoftheirgameinthisnewmovie.Washington'sFrazierisanintensebutlaconicindividual,whohasapermanentsmirkonhisfacebutwhoreadsthebankrobbersintentionsbetterthananybodyelse,whileOwenischarismaticandfascinatingasthemastermindbehindthebankrobbery.IwasalittledisappointedhoweverwithJodieFoster'srole.Whileherpartispotentiallyfascinating,shedoesnotreallygetthechancetodoanythingwithitotherthanlookcoolandacttough.Yes,weallknowthatsheisverygoodatthat,butwithabitmorebackgroundstory,andabitmorescreentime,herpartcouldhavebeenevenmoreinteresting.WithInsideMan,Leeshowcasesaninterestingwayofdirectingthrillers.Heignorestheusualbuildupthatyouseeinthrillers,whichconsistsofanintroduction,achronologicaldevelopmentofthemainintrigue,followedbyafinalactinwhicheverythingiswrappedupneatly(evenflashingforwardseveraltimes,thusrevealingsomeimportantdevelopmentsbeforetheyhavehappened),andthisonlyservestomakeInsideManamoviethatismorethanyourregularsuspensemovie.Ienjoyedthisoriginalapproachverymuch,eventhoughhedoestakequitealongtimetowrapthingsupattheend. 292outof370foundthishelpful. 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Permalink Bynotbeingastraightgenrefilmitmanagestostrengthenandweakenitselfatthesametime bobthemoo19March2006 Anordinarydayinamajorbank,amandressedasapainterwalksinandpointstorchesattheCCTVcameras.Secondslatermorepeopledressedaspaintersburstinandannouncetheirintentionstoallinside.Asthehostagesareprofessionallymovedintoagroupandmadetodressinthesamesuitsastherobbers,thealarmisraisedbyapassingcop.ForDetectiveFrazierthisisjustwhatheneedstohelptakehismindoffaccusationsofcorruptionandgirlfriendstress.Withaby-the-bookhostagesituationinfrontofhimthingslookgoodbutinternalandexternalpressuressoonconvincehimthatthingsarenotasstraightforwardashefirstthought.WiththetrailerofferingagreatSaturdaynight,twistycrimethriller,aheavycastandastrangedirectorialchoiceinLee,thiswasafilmIwashopingwouldbeglossy,slick,sillyandfun.However,althoughIenjoyeditforwhatitwas,ImustconfessthatthelackofconsistentdirectionandpacemadeitmoredifficulttogetintothanIhadhoped.Itisn'tlikethisatfirst,withthefilmjumpingrightintoaveryslicktakingofthebankandestablishingaprofessionalgroupofthievestocontentwith.BringinginFraziercontinuesthisdeliverybecausehehasagoodswaggertohimanditlookedliketheywouldpulloffthisfilm.Yousee,thingslikethisneedpaceandenergyanddirection–likesharks,theyneedtokeepmovingforwardortheydie;theydiebylettingtheaudiencequestionthingsormovebackofftheedgeoftheirseattoavantagepointofcriticism.WiththingslikePhoneBooth,wewereneverallowedtostepbackandthusitworked;howeverhereittriestodootherthings(toitscredit)buttheseproduceanirregularpace,inconsistenttoneandtendtotakeawayfromthecentral,grippingactionwithoutputtinginmorethantheytakeout.Itstillworksbutitstepsawayfromtherobberytoooftentotouchonotherareas.Nowtheseareascouldhavebeenagreatcomplimenttothemainthreadbuttheydon'tworkaswellastheyshould.TheexternalpressuresfromMadelineWhiteshouldhaveincreasedthetensioninthefilmbutinsteadtheyweremostlyseparate–interestingstillbutnotcomplimentary.Itdoesn'thelpthatmanyofthetwistsareobvious(certainlythereasonfortherobberywasobvious–evenifitisneveractuallyexplainedorjustifiedthatwell)andwhenthefinalonedoescomeitisdeliveredtooslowlyandreducesitsimpact.Thefilmisfunnyandthisworksquitenicelywithoutslowingthingsdown.Thedeviceoftheinterviewsasjumpsforwardisinterestingbutunfortunatelyittellstheaudiencetoomuchandspoilssomeofthelateractionbymakingittoopredictable.LikeIsaid,IstillenjoyeditbutattimesIfoundmyselfbotheredbytheimpressionthatitwasagenremovieactivelytryingnottobeagenremovieandonlyhurtingitselfintheprogress.Visuallythefilmisimpressiveevenifoccasionallyitfeltinappropriateforthematerial.Themovementofthecamera,thelushshotsofNewYork,the"chest-cam"shotsandtheuseofmusicareallunmistakablySpikeLeeanditlooksgreatforit.Attimesitisabitobtrusiveandalmostfeelstoograndforthematerialbutitishardtocriticiseagreatdirector(whichiswhatIpersonallythinkLeeis)forhavinghisownstyleandfeel,evenifattimesheisafaultforreducingthepaceandenergyofthematerial.Heshowsthat,althoughhispersonalfilmsaremoreinteresting,hecandoagoodjobasdirector-for-hireaswell.Thecastareimpressiveonpaperbutthedeliverymeanstheyarenotallthatgood.Fosterisagoodexample,sheisasolidpresencebuthermaterialisweakandhalf-doneandIpersonallyfeltshecouldhavebeentotallyremovedfromthefilmwithoutanygreatdetriment.Washingtoniscoolintheleadandgivesalivelygenreperformance.Thefilmsuggeststhathethoughthewasdoingmorethanjustagenrefilmandtherearebitsofhischaracterthatdon'twork–hiseclecticwardrobeisonebuthispastandhisgirlfriendarealsothreadsthatdon'tworkthatwell.Owenisluckyenoughtohavethebestmaterialanddespiteaso-soaccenthedoesconvinceanddrivesthefilmforward.Hismotivationsandbackgroundareannoyingquestionmarksbutthisisnothisfault–itisthefaultofthedeliverythatletmequestionthingsratherthanrushingforwardatfullspeed.Ejioforisgoodandworkswelldespitehavinglittletoworkwith.DafoeisaniceadditionbutIdidfeelhismaterialcouldhavebeendonebysomeonelessfamousjustaswellashedid.Plummerstartsthefilmwithsuchanairofa"powerfuloldmanwithsinistersecret"thatyouneverdoubtforsecondwherethefilmistakinghim–againnotallhisfaultbutheisnotusedatallwell.Despiteallmymisgivings,thefilmdiddoenoughtoengagemeandentertainmeonaSaturdaynightasIsuspectitwillmanyviewers.Howeverinthecoldlightofdaythefilmdoeshavethreadsthatdon'tworkandproblemsrelatingtopacingandinconsistencyintone.Funnilyenoughitisactuallytheirregularpacethatrevealstheproblemswhereasitishadplayeditselfasastraightgenrefilmthenitwouldhavecoveredthesewithpaceandenergy.Worthseeingbutbynotbeingastraightgenrefilmitmanagestobebothstrongerandweakeratthesametime. 37outof54foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 7/10 Caperfilmwithaveryexcitingstorylineandsurprisingending ma-cortes15May2006 Acarefullyandneatlyperfectcrimeaboutabankrobberygoesawrywhenaband(leaderofthegangisCliveOwen)abductsandtakeshostagestopeopleofbuildinginterior.APoliceInspector(DenzelWashington)mustsaveatwhatevercostthehostagesbankwhat'ssuddenlyundersiegeanditselfsurroundedofheavilysuper-armedpolices.Therobbershaveswornkilliftheyattack.Psychosisandparanoiaaboundbetweentheprisonersfromallsidesandtheycanseenowayoutandsomeonemakingdesperatetryingstoflee.CliveOwenasthemastermind,executesanintelligentschemeisbothexcitingandthrillingalthoughwithatwistedfinale.Filmpacksmaximumtension,emotion,thrillerandsurprisefromthesubsequentsattemptsbythepolicementoenterinthebank.Thismovieisacrowd-pleasingblendofintrigue,tense,actionpackedandfastmovement.It'sagoodproductionvalueswithseveralstarsandaclevertwistending.GreatproducerBrianGrazerassembledahighlytalentedinternationalcast(Denzel,Owen,JodieFoster,ChristopherPlummer).ThecastingisabsolutelyperfecttoughCliveOwenismostlyhiddenintoahood.CrispactingbyDenzelWashingtonwhoplaysapolicemanmakingafirstrateinterpretation.MagnificentcinematographybyMatthewLibatique.MemorablescorebyTerenceBlanchard,heisSpikeLee'shabitualfilms.Tautdirectionmakesthissplendidcaperacrackerjackentertainment.Spikelee'srealizationisrazorsharp.ThisisoneofthefinestlastyearsofthebigheistgenreandmuchbetterthanOcean'seleven,Ocean'stwelveandItalianjob.Rating:Aboveaverageandwellworthwatching. 23outof32foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 8/10 Intelligentthrills ElGato-422March2006 Apleasurefromstarttofinish.AnolderDenzelWashingtonhasbeguntoemerge,andhisperformanceheresuggestshehasmanygoodyearsleft.CliveOwenisterrificasthemastermind.He,andtheplot,keepsyouguessing.Andwhilethereareplentyofclues,theyaresowellincorporatedthatveryfewviewerswillseehowthisonecomestogetherintheend.Onemajorquibble:JodieFoster'scharacterismorearchetypethanpersonsoit'stohercreditthatshepullsitoffaswellasitdoes.However,don'tletthatdeteryoufromenjoyingoneofthebestmoviesoftheyear.I'mgladtoseeSpikeLeetackleanothergenrefilm.Hebringsare-invigoratingapproachtowhat,inotherhands,wouldbeatiresomerehash.Thatlivelinessseemstohaveworkedonhim,too--thisishisbestfilminseveralyears. 167outof223foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 8/10 Mykindofmovieinthisgenre. deloudelouvain22April2019 Inthecrime/mysterygenreInsideManisjustabitbetterthananormalgoodmovie.It'snotexcellentthough,forthattheheistisjusttoofarfetchedandperfect.Everybodylikestowatchtheperfectheistbutinthiscaseit'sabitexaggerated.Butotherthanthatsmalldetailtherestofthemovieissuspenseful,oratleastitkeepsyouattentiveasyoukeepwonderingwhatwillhappen.ForthattherewastheexcellentinteractionbetweenDenzelWashingtonandCliveOwen.Bothdidagreatjobwiththeircharacters.Thewholecastwasperfectforthisstory.SpikeLeemadeanotherentertainingmovie,onethatIwillwatchagaininafewyears. 19outof26foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 5/10 Fartoocleverforitsowngood Leofwine_draca5August2016 Warning:Spoilers INSIDEMANisoneofthoseclever-cleverthrillersinwhichthingsaren'tastheyseem,peoplearen'twhotheymakeouttobeandeverything'slayeredincloying,murkyconspiracythatleavesyouunsureofjustwhat,exactly,isgoingon.Atitsheartit'sasimpletaleofabankrobberybut,asinDOGDAYAFTERNOON,thingsarefarfromsimple.Thevillains'motivesareneverrevealedanditleavesyouwonderingwhotherealvillainsareafterall.Now,I'mallforahead-scratchingthriller–I'veseenandenjoyedenoughofthem–andwhileIlikedthisfilmonthestrengthoftheactorsalone,Ican'thelpbutacknowledgethatit'sdeeplyflawed.OneofthemainnegativesaboutitisSpikeLee,whose'urban'styleofdirectionisatoddswiththefilm'spremiseandplot.Hecan'thelpbutthrowinmanyflashyscenesandmomentsofover-directionthatscream"lookatme"andsubtractfromtherealism,astheykeeptakingyououtofthemovie.Leeshouldhavestayedinthebackground,choreographinghisactorsandscenesandnotgettinginthewaylikehedoeshere.It'salsoweirdthathehasthiswhole'70sthrowbackgoingon,akindofnudge-nudgetypeaspectwhereinDenzilWashington'sdetectivefeelslikeKOJAK.TheunusualBollywood-styleopeningmusicispointinitself.It'slikeLeeistryingsohardtobe'edgy'anddifferentandheendsupwithjustanotherthrillerthatthinksitsclevererthanitreallyis.It'salsohalfanhourlongerthanitoughttobe,andwithlittleactiontorecommendititfrequentlyveerstowardsboring.Infact,it'sonlythecastthatkeepsitentertaining:Washingtonexcelsasthelaidbackdetective,arolehecouldplayinhissleepbynow.Thankfullyhedoesn'tsleepwalkthroughit,insteadcreatingalikablecharacter.He'sablysupportedbynewcomerChiwetelEjiforashispartner,absolutelygreatinanunderstatedrole.Long-timeactingheavyweightsChristopherPlummerandWillemDafoedowellonthesidelines,butIabsolutelycouldn'tstandJodieFosterhere;justoneofthoseroleswhereyouwanttoslapthecharacter.AsforCliveOwen,he'sgood,buthiddenbeneathadisguiseformuchofthemoviesoleftoutinthecoldabit.It'snotabadfilmandit'sonethatkeptmewatchingtoseewhathappened,butintheendIwasleftfeelingthatnothingmuchhappenedafterall.It'salongwayfromclassicslikeTHENEGOTIATORandtheaforementionedDOGDAYAFTERNOONbutit'sworthalookforthrillerfans. 24outof36foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 7/10 Agoodbankrobberyfilm. theshadow90810August2006 InsideMantellsthestoryofamannamedDaltonRussel,wholeadsadaringbankrobberythatturnsintoahostagesituation.Nowhe'sdealingwithdisgracedhostagenegotiatorKeithFrazier,whoisattemptingtogettothebottomofthings.WhentheshadyCEOofthebankandawomanhe'shiredtohelphimprotectcertaininterestsarrive,hebeginstodiscoverthatthere'smoretothisbankrobberythanitwouldseem.ThisistheonlySpikeLeemovieI'veeverseen,buttrustme,I'llseemore,sincethiswasaveryintriguingfilm.WhatIlikedaboutInsideManwasthestyleitwasmade.Itischoppy,butnotsochoppythatit'sannoying(cough,Domino,cough,ManonFire),soyougetasenseoftension,anditseemsveryhighpaced.Theplotisgood,andveryintriguing.Therearesomethingsyouhavetofigureoutthroughoutthefilm,whichmakesitmoreinteresting.Myonlyproblemwasthatafterthebankrobberywasover,thefilmcontinuedforanotherhalfhour,anditstartedtodragabit.Thedialogueinthemovieisverycool.There'ssomehumorousandsomeawesomelinesthatcomeoutofthecharacter'smouths.Theactingisverygood.DenzelWashingtonisgoodasalwaysasDet.KeithFrazier.CliveOwengivesasolidperformanceasDaltonRussell.IlikedWillemDafoeandChristopherPlummer.JodieFosterwasn'tasgoodassheusuallyis,butshe'snotinthemovieawholelot.Overall,themovielagstowardtheend,butit'sintriguingandhasanawesomeplot.7/10 50outof74foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 9/10 HightimetheacademygivesSpikeLeesomerespect! shadowycat24March2006 WhetherIwasintothesubjectornot,there'salwaysafilmmakeratworkinaSpikeLeefilm...he'sonemoviemakerwhoneverlosessightofbeingafilmmakerfirstandforemost,andhe'sabsolutelyoutdonehimselfwithINSIDEMAN,atautthrillerwhichavoidsthecolloquialismthatalienatedmainstreamaudiencesfromsomeofhisearlierwork.Ifyou'veseenthetrailerorheardanythingaboutthispic,youhavebeenmisled.EverythingIheardleftmefeelinglikeyeah,OK,I'mgoingforDenzel.Denzelvs.CliveOwenwillbeinteresting.Fromthefirstshotsandopeningcredits,youaresubmergedinartisticvision,andafinelyhonedpieceofworkthelikesofwhichIhaven'tseeninyears.I'dalmostgivethisoneaten..andIdon'thandouttensfreely.Idonotwanttospoilthis.Youhavetowalkincold,andletthisfilmgrabyoubytheshortandcurlies.Thisisonefilmwherethereisn'taspareframeorwastedcheapshot.Everyzingerzings,andtherearelaughstoo,laughsatmercifulintervalstobreakthetensionandremindanaudienceontheedgesofitsseatsthatmovie-going'ssupposedtobeentertaining,dammit.Thecinematographyisbrilliant,andthemusicisfantastic-truecinematicscore,truegenius.Ican'tpraisethisoneenough.ChristopherPlummerissuperb,inwhatis(perhapscoincidentally)anironicbitofcasting.JodieFosterrisestoachallengingpersonawithaplombandease,andmyonlycomplaintoftheentireexerciseisthathercharacter'sname'MadelineWhite'isperhapsalittlecliché.Beyondthat,thereisn'tafilmmakeralivewhobringsNewYorktothescreenwithanythingapproximatingSpikeLee'svision.Itseemstherehasn'tbeenalotofjunketforthisone,andthatSpikeLee'spresencehasbeendownplayed...asifthestudiodownplayedthefactthatthisisaSpikeLeefilmslightly,untilthewordwasoutthatthisfilmisoverandbeyondwhatanaudiencemightalreadyexpectfromoneofhisfilms.So...letmejustsay..manomanthisisacinematicmind-blowingamazingoneandahalfhours...it'sbrilliant,tight,funny,articulate,intense,andhightimetheacademygivesSpikeLeesomerespect. 164outof241foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 9/10 IKeepSixHonestServingmen boblipton13November2020 Warning:Spoilers CliveOwenisinthemiddleofaperfectbankrobberyonWallStreet.DenzellWashingtonisthecopincharge,andthebank'sowner,ChristopherPlummer,wantssomethinginasafedepositboxsafeguarded.HecallsfixerJodieFoster,andshecallsinalotoffavorsforaprivatetalkwithOwen.It'sariddlewrappedwithinanenigmawithinacaperfilm.Onceuponatime,directorKingVidorsaidhemadeoneforthestudio,andtheylethimmakeoneforhimself.ThismoviewasmadebydirectorSpikeLeeforthestudio,andit'sabeauty:notonlyisthestorycompelling,itscharacterambiguitiesaconstantcompellingseriesofmysteriesthatkeepyouwatching.He'sdirectingagreatcast,andsetthemdoingtheirwork,eachverycompetent,eachtuggingandpullingthemovieinhisorherowndirection.It'sastructurelikeFredZinneman'sversionofTHEDAYOFTHEJACKAL....exceptthatinthatmovie,youknewDeGaullewasnotgoingtogetshot.Inthisone,youdon'tevenknowthat. 6outof7foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 6/10 Okay,buthadthepotentialtobebrilliant grantss26December2019 Warning:Spoilers Agangholdsupabank,takeshostagesandistrappedinsidethebankbypolice.Apolicehostagenegotiatorarrivesandtakeschargebutthegangdon'tseemtobefollowingtheusualplaybook.Evenmoremysteriously,thechairmanofthebankhashiredhisownnegotiator.Intriguingandriveting...initially.Themoviewassetuptobeagreatheistdrama,withalargedoseofmysterythrownin.Iwaslookingforwardtoseethecourseofeventsunfoldandthepuzzlebesolved(or,evenbetter,figureitoutmyself).Unfortunately,thelevelofintrigueanduncertaintyreducesalmostimmediatelyaswehaveflash-forwardsthatgiveawayelementsoftheoutcomeofthebanksiege.Fromapointyoucanseehowthesiegeisgoingtopanout.Thebankchairman/privatenegotiatoraspect,somethingwhichIinitiallythoughtwasunnecessaryandjustdetractedfromthemainstory,becomesmoreimportantandaddsintrigue,butitalsoservestomuddytheplotsomewhat.Moredisappointingly,thissub-plotbecomesthemainplotandresultsinaunsatisfactory,smug,moralisingconclusion.Overall,interestingenoughbutalsoquitedisappointingasitcouldhavebeensomuchbetter. 18outof27foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 8/10 somecleverideaandgreatcast Rick-3419March2006 Warning:Spoilers It'scurioustoseeSpikeLeedoastraightcapermovie.ThemovieisabsentLee'susualpolitics,thoughthereareoccasionalglimpsesofhissensibilities.AtonepointaSikhhashisturbantakenawayandcomplainsatendshowSikhsarenotArabsandhe'stiredofgettingharassedallthetime.Anyway,thecastisgreat-DenzelWashington,CliveOwen,JodieFoster,andChristopherPlummerarealltop-draweractors.WillemDafoehasasmallerpartthatdoesn'tuseallofhistalents,unfortunately.Theclevertwisttheplotaddsisthatthebankrobbersdresseverybodyupinthesamemasksandjumpsuitsthattheythemselvesarewearing.Soifthepoliceraidthebank,they'llhaveadifficulttimefiguringwhothebadguysare.(Thisisn'taspoiler-it'sinthetrailers.)CliveOwenandtherobbersareclearlyuptosomethingthatbecomesapparentduringthecourseofthefilm.TheyareparticularlyinterestedinthesafetydepositboxofthebankCEO,playedbyChristopherPlummer.JodieFosterisbroughtinbyhimtoprotect"hisinterests".HerexistenceisamusinginthatitrevealsabitaboutwhatSpikeLeethinksthecorridorsofwhitepowerarelike.(Here'sahint,Spike:richwhitefolksdon'tswearateachotherquiteasmuchasyoumakethemdo,andinparticularthewordusedbytheMayortodescribeJodieFoster'scharacteriswaybeyondthepale.Arealwomanwithasmuchinfluenceashercharacterhadwouldretaliatemassivelyafterbeingsodescribed.ButSpikeLeehasneverquitemanagedtocaptureanyfemalecharactercorrectly,datingallthewaybacktoNolaDarling.Idigress.)ThegoodpartsofthefilminvolvetheinteractionsbetweenWashingtonandOwen.Also,themanysmallman-on-the-streetconversationsaregreat.ThisaspectofobservingstreetlifehasalwaysbeenoneofLee'sstrongestpoints.ItwasinterestingwatchingaSpikeLeecaperfilm.Ikindaliketheidea.It'sbetterthantheformulaiccaperfilmsthataretherage,andfeaturessomeofLee'strademarkshots,likewhenheputsanactoronadollytocreatenon-walkingwalkingmovement.Irecommendthefilm. 131outof207foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 7/10 Terrificmovieforthefirsttwothirds,then...(spoileratbottom) cherold28April2007 Warning:Spoilers Formostofitslength,InsideManlookstobeagreatcrimemovie.Themovieisefficientandstylish.EventhesmallestcharactersaregivenrealpersonalitiesandthemoviehasawonderfulsenseofNewYorkattitude.DenzelgivesathoughtfulperformanceandPlummerisexcellent.Thescriptissmart.Butthen,abouttwothirdsofthewaythrough,problemswiththescriptbegintoshowup.Themoviebeginstoseemunfocusedandsomeofitisunconvincingandeventendingtowardstheludicrous.OnebeginstorealizethatJodie'scharacterservesnouseinthestoryandthestoryitselfwandersoffinanoddandunconvincingdirection.Thefinalideabehindthestoryisn'tbadsomuchastheexecution;thereisnopropersetupintermsofplotorcharacter.Itreallyfeelslikethescriptwriterhadanideathathewasdeterminedtouseeventhoughhecouldn'tcompletelygetahandleonit.Still,it'sfunforthemostpartandeventhoughitlosesalotofmomentumattheendit'sstillreasonablyentertaining.Andit'scertainlyworthwatching.****************SPOILER***************Here'sasmallbuttellingexampleofascriptproblem.Afterthisbighostagethingandstandoffthecopsfinallygetintothebankanddiscovernothinghasactuallybeenstolen.ThenDenzel'sbosstellshim,justforgetaboutthecase;noonereallycares.But50peopleweretakenhostage,whichiskidnappingandthusisaveryseriousoffense,anditwasabignewsstory,andjustbecausenomoneywaslostnooneisgoingtobedemandingpoliceaction?WTF?Themovieseemstohavethisideathattherobbersreallydidn'tdomuchwrongbecausetheydidn'tstealanymoney(thisisreinforcedattheend),butthat'sjustnuts.****************ENDSPOILER*********** 10outof14foundthishelpful. 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Permalink InsideOut tedg1April2006 IwanttolikeSpike,Ireallydo.Hehasanaturalcinematicimagination,somethingyoucanseefromtheverybeginning.AndheisflamboyantwiththecamerawhichIappreciatewhentheconfidenceisrewarded.Plusotherthings.Heseemstohavebackedoffhis"I'mnotanOscar-winnerbecauseI'mblack"routine,asdemeaningasany"Bamboozled"riff.Thetitleisambiguouslyintelligent,andIthoughtperhapswewouldhavesomesortoffoldingonthenatureofmanimposedontheheistgenre.(Wedidgetthatplustheenergeticcamerawith"GoodThief.")Also,wheneverDafoestepsintoaproject,myanticipationlevelrisesbecausesometimesthesearesointelligentlyshapedthatIimaginereligionsbeingfoundedonthem.IoverlookedtheproblemsIknewwouldcomewithDenzelandJodi.I'msuretheyarenicepeopleandsolidworkersandallthat.Butactorscomeindistincttypes,havingmadedifferentchoicesaboutwhethertheywilltrytoenteroursoulsandifso,how.Bothofthesedefer.Here'sthegood:inthepartsofthiswheretheoverlongthescriptcallsforenergy,hesuppliesitmasterfully.Inscenesthatwouldnormallydrag,hegivesusamildlydancingcamera.Nice.Andifyoulikeheistpuzzles,youmightgetengagedinguessinghowourmastermindwillpullthisoff.Itsasortofdetectivestoryformimposedontheactualcrime,anditinexplicablystartswiththatmastermindspeakingdirectlytotheaudienceviaacamerahehasarranged.Thisintelligentlyoverlapswithvideotapedinterviewsofthehostagesthatarewoventhroughtherecountingofthecrime.FollowingTed'slaw,thenatureoftheseinterviewsisseparatedinabstractdistancefromthemainactionthesamedegreeastheactionfromus.Allthatwillbeenoughforsomeviewers.Themainproblemisthescript.Thesethingsarecastasabattleofwitsamonggiants.InthiscasethetwogiantsaresupposedtobeourgeniuscriminalandtheDenzelcharacterwhofacesoffagainsthim.AlsointhemixisanundescribedcharacterplayedbyJodiFoster.Sheissupposedtobeamasterfixerwhocanmakeanythinghappen.Wedon'tknowmuchabouther.Actuallywhatweareshowngivesuslittleconfidenceinherpowers.Sothetaskofelevatingthecharactertothelevelofourgeniuscrookisuptoher.Isincerelythinkshewouldflubitevenifthescriptsupportedher.She'sjustnotapowerfulorinterestingperson.ThescriptsupportsthemastermanipulativeabilitiesofthePlummercharacterslightlymore,butitslipsoffquickly,aboutthetimeweseehiminthezoom-pullbackshot(usedtwice!),wherehisgrinningfaceisshownwhileacharacterexplainswhatissoevilabouthim.Thesecondproblemisthepacing.Spikeisalocalintuitive.Hefamouslygoesbyhisgutwhenapproachingascene.Wecanseethisinmanyscenesinallhiswork:theyjusttingle.Buthehasnosenseforthelongform,thecompositionofthewholemovie.ThismeanshecansortofgetbywhenhisaudienceisTeeVeewatchersandthepointofthethingisthatthecharacterisdrifting.Butthisfilmshouldbeafine-tunedassembly,asmasterfullymanagedastheheistwithin.Soderberghknowshowtofoldhismovie-makingonanelaborateheist.Spikewouldn'tunderstanditifyoudrewitonanapkinforhim.Andafinalproblemisthefactsinthecase.Whenthesethingsareallover,wegetathrillinputtingitalltogether.Oh,that'swhythecrooksspenttimeminglingwiththehostages.Buttoplaythisgame,thefactshavetoaddup,likethelockgearsusedheavilyinthetitlesequence.Andtheydon't.Therearehugequestionsthatgetintheway.Shucks.Advertisingthisasathinkingperson'sthrillerdoesn'tmakeitso.Oh.Andthere'sthatjunkyshotthatSpikeinventedIguess,becausehejusthastouseit.Ourherobeingpulledonacarriagelinkedtothecamera.Itssupposedtoshowforwardprogressordeterminationyousee.Purejunk.Ted'sEvaluation--2of3:Hassomeinterestingelements. 33outof59foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 6/10 TheDeceptionoftheYear claudio_carvalho9December2006 ItisamazinghowacastwithnamessuchasJodieFoster,DenzelWashingtonandCliveOwen,directedbythegreatSpikeLeeandwithahigh-budgetcanruinduetoanawfulflawedscreenplay.IwastedmymoneybuyingthisDVDwithagreatexpectationofaterrificmovie,butIfounditterribleandboringactually.Iwouldliketoleavejustonequestion:WhyMr.ArthurCase,magnificentlyplayedbyChristopherPlummer,keptsuchevidencesthatcoulddestroyhissuccessfullifeforalmostsixtyyearsinasafe?Thewholestoryspinsaroundthisridiculoussituation.Ifyouwanttoseeafilmofheist,prefertowatchagain"DogDayAfternoon"oreven"Heist",butdonotspendyourtimeormoneywith"InsideMan".Myvoteissix.Title(Brazil):"OPlanoPerfeito"("ThePerfectPlan") 21outof36foundthishelpful. Wasthisreviewhelpful?Signintovote. Permalink 7/10 Wouldhavebeenbetterifitwasn'tso'clever'... The_Void23July2006 It'salltooobviousthatInsideManismeanttobealotmorecleverthanitactuallyis;directorSpikeLeepeppershisfilmwithalightsprinklingofcommentsonraceandsociety,butnotmanyofthemholdanyweightandbythetimethefilmends,it'sdifficulttoworkoutjustwhatLeeisactuallytryingtosay.Filmsthattrytobeintelligentandfailusuallyreceivelowratingsfromme,butthisonemanagestoclawsomepointsbackbecauseitisentertaining,andthecentralbankrobberyplotlineisintricatelyhandledwithcareandpanache.It'sashamethatLeedecidedtotryandmakemoreofthisthanwasnecessary.Irealisethatagreatdealofundemandingbankrobberyfilmshavealreadybeenmade;butthisonecouldhavebeenoneofthebestifthedirectorhadstucktothestrongpoints.Theplothastwosidestoitaswefollowabankrobberyfrominsidethebankandout.Daltonisasmartbankrobberwhofiguresoutawaytobothrobabankandbamboozlethepoliceatthesametime.DenzelWashingtonisthecoponthecase,whiletheplotisgivenathirddimensionfromaschemingpowerbroker.Oneoftheprincipleproblemswiththisfilmisthattoomuchismadeofit,andtheplotsometimesdoesn'tcometogetherverywellasLeeanalyseshisplotfrombothapastandpresentperspective.Thismeansthatwehavethepoliceinterviewingsuspectsatthesametimeastherobberyisgoingon,andthisusuallyinvolvescuttingbacktothebankandseeingsomeonedoingsomethingmemorable,beforeDenzelWashingtonandhispartnertrytocrackthepeopletheythinkcouldberesponsible.Itgetsabitrepetitivetoooften,butthere'susuallyjustaboutenoughgoingontomakethefilminteresting.Theactingisgood,withthewoodenCliveOwengettingarolethatsuitshimasthemaskedbankrobber;whilethecharismaticDenzelWashingtonprovidesmoreinterestasthecopper.WillemDafoedoesn'tmakemuchofanimpression,however,andJodieFostercouldhavebeenbetterused.ScenessuchastheonethatseesakidtalkingtoCliveOwenaboutavideogameinvolvingsomerapperarepainfulandunnecessary,however.Theheistplotiswellworkedout,though,andseeingtheplancometogetherattheendisthefilm'sbiggesthighlight.Overall,Ican'tsayIdidn'tenjoythisfilmasitsentertainingandwellworked;butit'snotthegreatfilmthatthedirectorobviouslywantedittobe. 8outof11foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 1/10 fundamentallyflawedplot,unbelievablecharacters,majormoralblind-spots=badmovie sissoed5October2009 Warning:Spoilers ThisreviewisfullofSPOILERSandismeantforthosewho'veseenthisfilm.1.Majorplotflaw.Thepolicewouldhaveidentifiedthe"painters"almostimmediately,andthisishiddenfromtheaudiencebythewayinwhichtheinterrogationscenesarehandled.Thecriminals'strategyforescapewastoblendinwiththeotherhostagesandbeunidentifiable.Thevideosurveillancecamerasweredisabledonly2minutesbeforethe"painters"entered.Bycheckingthevideosthepolicewouldseewhatcustomershadenteredthebankbeforethenandcouldrulethemoutas"painters."Thepolicecouldalsorule-outallemployees,notonlybecauseemployeeswouldbeontape,butevenifnot,theemployeeswouldknowwhooftheirnumberwasinthebankatthetimetheywereseized.Thismeansthatthe"painters"couldonlybecustomers,andcouldonlybeamongthosecustomerswhowalkedinduringthetwominutesbetweendisablingthecamerasandtheentryofthe"painters."Lookatthenumberofcustomersalreadyinthebankbeforethecameraswentout--alot.Notmanycameinduringthose2minutes,evenifsomeleftduringthose2minutes.Atmost,let'ssaythat12peoplecameinduringthose2minutes,includingthe"painters."Thengetphysicaldescriptionsofthe"painters'"height,weight,sex,etc.,fromallthehostages.Comparethosewiththephysicaldetailsofthe12people.Ofthe12people,howmanymatcheachdescription?Ifone,thepolicehavespotteda"painter"already.If2or3or4,thepolicehaveaverysmallnumberofpeopletoinvestigatefurthertoexposewhichofthatsmallgroupisa"painter."Moreover,everycustomerhastohaveareasonforbeingthere:eithertodealwithanexistingaccount,oropenanewone.Butapersonopeninganewaccountwouldgotoanemployeetostarttheprocess.Sothe"painters"eachhadtohavealreadyestablishedanindividualaccountwiththatbank.Whendidthose12peopleopentheiraccounts?Thepolicewouldlookatthetimeeachofthe12firstopenedanaccount.Morerecentaccounts,openedataboutthesamedate,wouldindicatewhothe"painters"mightbe.Now,whywereeachofthe12atthatdowntownbranchatthattime,asopposedtoadifferentbranchoradifferenttime?Itmustbe,eithertheyworknearby,orlivenearby,orarerunninganerrandwheretherouteincludesthatbranch.Whatfriendorrelativesawtheminpersonbeforetheylefttogotothebranch?Howdidtheygettothebranch--walking,orsubway,ortaxi?Howweretheyplanningtogettotheirnextdestination?Wheredidtheyplantogoaftertheirerrandatthebranchwasfinished?Whowasexpectingtoseethematthatplace?Didanyonewhowasexpectingtoseethemlaterthatdaywonderwhathadhappenedtothem,orcallthepolicetoaskwhethertheywereamongthehostages?Recentlyopenedaccounts,nearthedateofotheraccounts,bypeoplewhoneitherlivenorworknearthatbranch,orhaveaplausibleerrand,whocan'ttellaplausibletaleofhowtheygotthereorwheretheyplannedtogonext,orwhowasexpectingthem:thesearetheprimesuspectsfor"painters."Thepoliceveryswiftlywillhaveaverygoodideawhothe"painters"are.Investigatethemindetailandtheyareexposed;thenpressurethemtorevealtheidentitiesoftheothercriminals.Thisiswhatrealpolicewoulddo,butthemovie,byshowingthepolicepursuingadifferent,uselessapproach,leadstheaudiencetothinkthe"painter"masqueradewouldwork.Thismovieoperatesontheoldprinciple"thecriminalplotlooksbrilliantbecausethepolicearemadetoactlikeidiotsyetlookintelligent."2.Majormoralblindness.50innocentcitizensareterrorized,heldhostage,assaulted,battered,foraday,averysignificantcrime,andyetattheendwearetoldthatbecausenothingwasstolenfromthebank,thegovernmentandthepolicearejustgoingtodropthewholeaffair.Butwhatthecriminalsdidtothosepeoplewasafarmoreseriouscrimethananytheftofbankpropertywouldhavebeen.Thismoviepasses-offthatcrimeasifitwerenothing,nothingatall.Theterrorizedhostagesarepushedoffthestagelikesomanyplasticdollswho'veservedtheirroleinthefilmmakers'story.Butthosecharactersarehumanbeings.Thecriminals,supposedlymotivatedbyanidealisticdesiretoactagainstaNaziprofiteer,commitahorrificmoralinjusticeoninnocentpeople,whoserightsanddignitytheyareblindto,inthepursuitoftheirownmoralmission.Thisisaprofoundmoralflawinthisfilm.Thecriminalsarenarcissists,sofocusedontheirowndesireforjusticeintheircausethattheyareblindtotheinjusticetheyinflictonothersastheypursuetheirmission.3.Unbelievablecharacters.AbillionairebankpresidentanguishedoverhispastexploitationoftheHolocaust,butwhoistryingtohidehispast,byhiringarealestateagentwhohasaside-lineasahigh-level"fixer"ofrichpeople'sproblems,whoisherselfdisgustedbyhispro-Nazipast,yettakeshispay-offcheckanyway,andwhoseonlyattemptto"fix"theproblemisashortandineffectiveconversationwiththecriminalmaster-mind?Asupposedlysmartandhonorablepolicehostagenegotiatorwhoisalsothechiefinterrogatorofthesuspects,andwhotakesadiamondpay-offfromthemastermindwithalaugh,andwhoiscompletelyblindtotheseriouscrimeofterrorismandhostage-takingof50civilians?Noneofthesecharactersisbelievable. 227outof386foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 5/10 Sorryfolks...myfirstbigCollassaldisappointmentof2006 Robert_duder10April2006 Warning:Spoilers IthoughtTheInsideManwasasurefireenjoyablefilm.Howcouldtheymiss??Great,strongleadingcast,seeminglyflawlessaction/heistfilmwithsomegoodtwistsandmaybeamysterytoboot.Iwaspsychedtoseeit,oneofmyfirstbiganticipationsofthisyearandunfortunatelyitletmedown.IseemtobeoneofthefewasitgarnishesravereviewsfromIMDbviewersandcontinuestorakeinthemoney.WhatcanIsay??IfoundSpikeLee'slatestattemptatanintellectualactionfilmcampy,poorlydeliveredandputtogether,andcompletelyutterlyconfusing.I'mstillnotsuretheentirebasisofthestoryexceptpieceshereandthere.IhavenotseenalotofSpikeLee"joints"butthefewIhaveseenhisstyleappearstobeanon-conformist,mish-mashed,playonregularchronologicalorderex:SonofSam,25thHour.BothofwhichIfeltalittleconfusedduring.Perhapsmy"intellectuality"Idon'tknow??TheamazingifnotslightlypontificatingDenzelWashingtontakestheleadroleasnewcomerHostagenegotiatorKeithFrazier,andunlessyoulookedonhereIdon'tknowifyou'deverknowhischaractersname.NonethelessWashingtonprettyflawlesslymakesanyrolewatchablewithhisintenseactingabilityandhissometimesfranticportrayalofmenunderstress.Washingtonisthefilmssavinggraceandeventhoughhishumilityleavessomethingtobedesired(themanreeksofknowinghowgoodheis)he'sstillanamazingleadingman.CliveOwenishisadversaryDaltonRussellandundernormalcircumstancesthiswouldhavebeenamatchmadeinHeaven.OwenisbecomingagreatleadingmaninhisownrighthavingreallyimpressedmeinDerailed,KingArthurandevenoneofmylessfavoritesCloser.Owenspendsthemajorityofthefilmbehindamaskwhichcouldbeperfectlyfinebutnoneofthecharactersinthefilmareeverreallyexploredoropenedupwhichmakesoperatingbehindamaskevenmoredifficult.Histruegeniusisleftuntappedandhischaracterisleftcompletelyundiscoveredsadly.SamewithWashington'scharacterwhohasagreatbackstorythatisjustneverexploredwithanyrealclassorexpertise.StillwithwhatOwenisgivenhedoeshisbestandplaysagreatbadguybutstillinsomewaysananti-hero.JodieFosterplaysconnivingblackmarketmediatortotherichandfamousMadelineWhite.InactualitysheIStheInsideMan.Herroleiswithoutadoubtthebestinthefilmandthemostdeveloped.InmanywayssheismorethevillainthanOwen'scharacter.She'sdeviousandunderhandedandismoreaboutthemoneythananyoneandatthesametimebecauseofherlineorworkshehassomeverypowerfulconnectionsevenifthoseconnectionsdespiseherfortheworkshehasdone.Fosteristightknit,noholdsbarred,andeasilybelievableasaman-eaterorpeopleeateringeneral.ChristopherPlummerastheagingbankexecutivewhoisonthereceivingendoftherobber'sbitternessdoesadecentjobbuthisroleisequallyunflourishedanditgoestowasteintheend.AnothergreatactorWillemDafoegoestocompletewasteastheseeminglyboredCaptainJohnDarius.Hisroleissosmalldespitehavingalotofscreentimeandhejustseemslikehedoesn'twanttobethere.ChiwetelEjioforwhodidsuchagreatjobasthebadguyinFourBrothersismadeintoDenzelWashington'slackey,followinghimaroundlikeapuppydogandneverdoingmuchofanythingexceptbeingWashington'sstraightman.Nobodyfromthisfilmistheproblemwiththefilm.Everyonedoesthebestjobtheycanwithwhattheyaregivenwithapoorlyslappedtogetherscript.Thestorymakeslittletonosenseanddesperatelyneedssomuchmoreexplaininganddepthandmaybeitallendeduponthecuttingroomfloorbutformeitruineditcompletely.Whatstartedoutasanintenseactionfilmbegantospiralintocompletelyandutternonsensicalstory.Theheistwasn'tclever,itwasconfusingbecauseweastheaudienceknewevenlessaboutwhatwasgoingonthanthepeopleinvolved.TheinterspersedinterviewswithwitnessesandpossiblesuspectsDURINGthebankrobberywasevenmoreconfusingandleavingthefilminchronologicalorderwouldhavebeenmuchneaterandeasiertofollow.ThereweresmalllittlemomentswhenIwonderedwhyinthehelltheydecidedtodosuchlittlethingsthatmadethefilmlookdownrightfake.Thereisascenewherethefemalerobberisguardingthevaultandsheisswayingbackandforthlikeacartooncastleguard?!!?Itlooksridiculous!!Whatshouldhavebeenaveryrealandintenseandincrediblycleverheistfilmwasabrutallyconfusingandmisusedandpoorlydirectedandwrittencrapfilmthatwasonlysavedandmarginallywatchablebyit'shighpricedandhighprioritycast.Ithadit'smomentswhereIthoughteverythingwasgoingtocometogetherbutitneverdidandwhenthosecreditsstartedrollingmydisappointmentbeganrollingin.Iwon'ttellanyoneNOTtoseethismovie,infactIwouldsayenjoymyreviewletitfireyouupifyoulikeitbecauseeveryoneseemstolovethisfilm.Itjustwasn'tformeanddisappointedmeagreatdeal,nooneismoresaddenedthanmetonothavelovedit.5/10 22outof37foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 6/10 Stalemate billion_mucks3November2007 Althoughitsetsoffprettywell,withCliveOwentalkingstraighttothecamerasayinghehastheperfectplantorobabank,thatheis100percentsurethathisplanisflawless.Wealwaysseemovieswithbankrobberiesbeingthecriminalsriskyandedgy,andrepeatingsometimesthesametechniquesandsamelines.Wellwiththenewopticofthisfilm,oneisexcited.Heplanneditsoprecisely,soextensivelyhebelievesthereisnopossibleflail.Well,thisdeclarationistheonlythingthatthemoviecanclaimofdistinguished.Followingthisinterestingcommence,themoviewillsetwithaboringbrainfightbetweenthechiefpoliceandtheprincipalrobber.Different"interests"foranaccountofthebanksetanuninterestingpremisewherethescriptjustdoesn'tgoanywhere.Irepeat,itpromisesmorethanwhateveritdelivers.Thefinalandthetwistaresomewhatgood,butdoesn'tsurpriseasthestorydoesn'tintroduceustothecharacterscorrectlyandwesimplydon'tcare.Itappearstobeadistinguished,different,excellentfilm.Avoidit,becauseitjustisn'tso. 26outof40foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 8/10 GreatActingHighlightsThisHeistFlick ccthemovieman-14December2006 Warning:Spoilers Here'sanotherheist-withanegotiatorstorybutdonewithadifferentangleandwithafewtwists.Amongthe"twists"are(1)abankpresidentwhohiressomeonetotrytogetsomethingNOTrobbedoutofhisbandduringtheheist,evidencethatcoulddestroyhisstatusandcareer,and(2)thecrooksallgetawaywiththemastermindofgrouphidinginthebankforaweekbeforeslippingawayinbroaddaylight.Thatlastpartleadsmetoaskafewquestionsaboutthatcouldpossiblyhappen,specificallyhowgetcouldgetoutofthevaultwherehewashiddenwithoutallkindsofalarmsgoingoff,etc.Nevertheless,credibility-aside,itsaninterestingtwohoursofentertainment,sortofamodern-dayDogDayAfternoonfilm.(Infact,DDAismentionedinthemovie.)Thefourleadactorsinthisfilmareallquitediverse:aveterancop.negotiator("Det.KeithFrazier"(DenzelWashington),themaincrook"DaltonRussell"(CliveOwen),thebankpresident"ArthurCase"(ChristopherPlummer)andtheprofessionalbusinesswomanhehires"MadelineWhite"(JodieFoster.)Allofthemarefascinating,thanksinlargeparttothefacttheyarealloutstandingactorstobeginwith.Unlikemostpeople,IparticularlyenjoyedFosterplayingsuchacontrolled,low-keycharacterandthesamecouldbesaidaboutanothertopactorinhereIalmostforgotabout:WillemDaFoeas"CaptainJohnDarius."ThemoreIthinkaboutit,theactorsherearejustasfascinatingasthestory,ifnotmoreso.Iamsureitwillbethem,notthestory,thatdrivesmebackformoreviewings. 12outof20foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 1/10 utterrubbish raypdaley18220January2007 Warning:Spoilers OK,firstlyineedtomentionthefactthatCliveOwenismycousin.Clive,youneedanewagent!thisfilmisShite!youseeyourfacehardlyatallandit'stheoldcaseofcastingaBritasabadguyandevenworsemakinghimspeakwithatrulydireAmericanaccent.Right,nowI'vegotthatoutofmysystem.BasicallythisisafilmaboutamanwhoisworriedpeoplewillfindouthehaslinkstotheNazi'sinhispast.JodyFosteraddsnothingtothefilmandanywomanoranypersoncouldhaveplayedherpart.Thefilmisbasicallyabankrobberywherenothingisstolen,andno-onegetshurt.Theonlythingstakenarefromasafetydepositboxthatactuallydoesn'texistaccordingtothebankrecordssonothingisstolen.Thepointofthefilm(ifthereisone)istomakeyouworkoutwhatlinkstheguywhoownsandrunsthebanktotheNazi'sandhowtherobbersplannedtoescapethebank.I'mnottoosurewhatthepointoftherobbersdiggingtheholeinthestorageroomfloorwas(thatisneverexplained),Ithoughtitmightbetheirplannedescaperoute?Generallythisisafilmwherenothinghappensandittakesalongtimeforthattonothappen.IurgemydearcousinClivetogetanewagent,thisscriptwaswaybelowhisabilitiesasanactor. 13outof20foundthishelpful. 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Permalink 7/10 ConflicitedOpinion JohnBlane26January2020 Warning:Spoilers Thisfilmisasuperbbankrobberyfilm,ithadmehookedinthefirsthalf.Butthenitdroppedoffalot.ThisisgenuinelyoneoftheleastclimaticfilmsIhaveseen.ChristopherPlummer'scharacterhasamassivesecret,onehecan'ttellanyoneabout,andyou'rehooked.Youwanttoknowwhytheseguysarerobbingabank,youwanttoknowwhythey'restalling.Thereareloadsofinterestingdetailsscatteredthroughout.DenzelWashington'sperformanceistop-notch-asperusual.Butthesecondhalfofthefilmlags,overdrawingonthingswealreadyknew,andpullsinallthewrongdirections.Sometimesyouwouldratheritbeanambiguousending,oratleasthavesomemystery.Instead,wehaveabitofaletdownonwhatwasreallyinthesafe,andthat'sit.Iwould'vepreferredforittobelikethebusinesscaseinPulpFiction,wherethecontentsareneverimplicitlystated.AndJodieFoster'scharacterisjusttooconvenient,she'sneverfleshedoutwellenoughfortheaudiencetotakeherseriously.Rathershe'sjusttheladywho'knowspeople'.Iwasleftwonderingtheentiretimehowshegottothismassivelyhighstatus.Inallotheraspects,itisgreat,itjustcould'veusedsometweaking. 8outof9foundthishelpful. 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