Pretty dull, but above average

Rating: 6/10 (9 August 2006)

For me Inside Man was just not what it was cracked up to be. Great cast, great characters (especially Owen's and Foster's) and the film is technically sound. But the script stretches it's smartness and the film becomes dull because of it.
I like filmmakers with opinions and Lee's no exception for me. I like the references to the current 'war on terror'. All hostages are suspects (like all muslims). How do you distinguish the good from the few bad? Especially the scene where all hostage are gunned down in front of the bank with rubber bullets hit home.
But I still feel Lee didn't get the max out of this film and his cast. The scenes between Foster and Washington are fantastic and Owen gives a solid performance as always (though his American accent is very bad). But it just isn't enough.
So, it's solid entertainment, but I hoped for more.