Spike Lee tones down the rhetoric and comes away a winner

Rating: 6/10 (16 April 2006)

I've always thought Spike Lee's movies were heavy-handed because he always seems as though he's trying to pack political sentiment into his narratives. Not this time. Thankfully, the story in Inside Man is a plain, simple and neatly executed heist film.
Yes, there are some political overtones but when the story is rolling, it's that much easier to buy the political side of it. This is the best Spike Lee joint in a while.
The jury's still out on Clive Owen - can't make out if he's a good actor or not. Jodie Foster was under-utilized. Denzel was irritatingly over-playing everything in sight (why did they give him an Oscar?). I would've picked Jamie Foxx over him for this role ANY day. Chris Plummer is a player.
Nice twist at the end but won't spoil it for you. Go watch it.