Entertaining Heist

Rating: 7/10 (23 April 2006)

More entertaining than expected and a good intense, yet fun ride throughout. The idea of the perfect heist is always enthralling. The wits of "good" versus "evil"; who will outdo the other - when well written - usually makes good viewing!! The characters of Dalton Russell and Keith Frazier make this a true cat & mouse game in which one is never sure if the mouse is too cool to be caught. Best left to the viewer to determine who is truly the bad-egg.
Overall, another stellar performance from Denzel Washington, with great support from Clive Owen and Christopher Plummer. Was somewhat disappointed at Jodie Foster's character and felt that she overdid the cocksure nature of Madeline White. A little too grating and annoying for my liking and far from her best performance(s).
The direction is interesting and varied with the typical Spike Lee trademark of the "moving-non-walking-person" - however some of the panned shots are nauseating and just that little bit too long.
Overall though, a film that should please most who watch it.
****** For those who like the heist genre, a strong recommendation would be Jean-Pierre Melville's, "Le Cercle rouge (1970), starring Alain Delon. An extra-ordinary heist film....so quiet, meticulous and intense. ******