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September 3, 2010
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Movie Reviewers, The Friday Flyer
If you decide to take part in a major bank heist, be sure your crew is cool, way cool. Sinatra and Clooney taught us that in “Ocean’s 11” and who could forget Wahlberg and Theron in “The Italian Job?” But, the youth movement begs for an urban hip hop cool. So here, the homies be stylin’ and chllin’ to some funky tunes – know what we mean?
Make no mistake, this gang can shoot straight. The story unfolds in the midst of their annual bank heist netting millions of dollars. Guns are blazing, but our eyes watered from the smell of cologne from the screen. Looking sharp and walking tall, the post robbery scene gives the feel of a commercial for a chic Hollywood clothing line. We were reminded of Will Smith saying about his suit in “Men in Black,” “I make this look good.”
This works for the intended audience focused on a cast featuring Paul Walker (“Fast and Furious”), Hayden Christensen (“Star Wars”), Matt Dillon (“Crash”), singer Chris Brown, rapper T.I. Harris, “Avatar’s” Zoe Saldana and bossman Idris Elba (“The Losers”). Each time one entered a scene, we expected Joan and Melissa to offer commentary.
Directed and co-written by virtual newcomer John Luessenhop, the plot and dialog could never really be called intelligent. But, for an action-thriller, Luessenhop surprisingly executes the stunts tastefully, uses minimal profanity and only sparingly uses the “shaky-cam,” mostly in another innovative street foot chase, sometimes called “parkour.”
Beyond the eye candy, this team of seasoned bank robbers is methodical and meticulous in their plans. These takers live a life of luxury and honor a code of ethics with each other, even if their moral compass doesn’t exactly point north. Money doesn’t buy them happiness but from what we could see, it seems to buy all the stuff that does.
It is important to these guys that nobody is killed or injured during their heists. They plan for their own safety, but also for the bystanders and especially the po-po (cops). But in a recent robbery, one of their own, Ghost (Harris), was shot and captured. After serving time in the gray bar hotel, he returns with a plan to hit an armored car carrying $20M.
There is not enough time to plan one of their perfectly executed robberies that baffle the police, but Ghost’s tip is only good for a specific date and time. Concurrently, two veteran detectives (Matt Dillon and Jay Hernandez) are on the trail and have found some random clues. To make it even more interesting, Russian mobsters are looking for a beat down and to wreak more havoc than is seen on Vacation Dr.
This movie takes a while to get going. There are clichés, self-described coolness and too many characters. The distracting subplots involve family members, but eventually they contribute to the storyline. With all their positive traits, the police and takers are still terribly flawed. But, in comparison to the Russian mob, the takers are relatively benign. Finally, it’s possible the moral to this story just might be, “crime doesn’t pay.”
This cast could appear on the cover of GQ, so in this storyline, they are actually terrific. Not so surprisingly, Ibris Elba emerges as a certifiable star, so look for him in upcoming features. Paul Walker continues as a likable second banana, Matt Dillon is somewhat miscast, Hayden Christensen might never really shine, singers Brown and Harris can actually act and Zoe Saldana’s minute role should technically be called a cameo.
“The Takers” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, a sexual situation, partial nudity and some language. Shot mostly in downtown L.A., many familiar sites, such as Pershing Square, Dodger Stadium and the Financial District, play important parts of the backdrops in many of the scenes.
In the movies, we root for the bad guys, as long as they’re handsome, suave and have a discernible level of redeeming qualities. Today’s youth can identify with these younger stars and their brand of walk, talk and fashion. Maybe you’d think we don’t know urban hip hop, but when we let loose, we can’t get enough of that Lionel Richie; that guy’s wild.
Ron’s Rating: B Leigh’s Rating: C
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