Poor film with watchable stars.

Rating: 4/10 (7 November 2006)

This movie is a heist thriller...with problems. Despite the best efforts of the cast one major problem being there is no tension. Nothing happens, and at no point in the movie do you believe anything is going to happen. Another curious problem is the movies'focus, we are pulled into a sub-plot regarding the bank owner, Nazi wealth, his personal high powered negotiator and the mysterious contents of a safe deposit box. This sub-plot petters out like a dud firework, the contents of the box are revealed too early and are not worth the effort anyway. The stars potter around looking for something to do, e.g Owen spends about 4 minutes just staring at the bank vaults contents with his back to the camera, wishing he were in another movie.
The only way you know the director wants you to feel tension is with the ludicrously over the top thumping score. Nothing much is happening on screen yet the movie music is doing back flips and somersaults; a police bus putters to a stand still at the scene whilst the movie score pounds and wails to a crescendo, Denzel pours himself a coffee and the orchestra nearly catch fire.
I could go on about the movies many faults, but I did watch it to the end hoping against all hope that the tedium would end with a final surprise pay-off. I waited in vain.
Go & rent Dog day afternoon.