Solid But Not Great

Rating: 8/10 (21 January 2019)

5 November 2007. Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe along with this time Denzel Washington put together a story that has a beginning, middle, and ending. This movie is no Godfather, and interestingly enough there are some casting decisions to include some aging actors recognizable from other crime thrillers that in my mind detracts from the hard-hitting, serious side of this story. The personal relationship between Washington and his bride is underdeveloped, in fact, their meeting is something of a mystery. Even Washington's character and his father is also underdeveloped which later plays a rather important part later in the movie. The Ridley Scott had both Russell and Denzel play more complicated characters each with both good and bad elements. The movie, however, seemed to overreach and incorporate some much by having to sacrifice some detail. Russell's character chasing after the bad guy in a drugbust seemed unnecessarily showy, more for the action crowd than for cinematic clarity. Denzel's confrontation with another dealer who wants him to pay 20% isn't particularly resolved. Overall,there are good performances, a complex plot that is handled well. Eight out of Ten Stars.