Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster in a Spike Lee Heist film!

Rating: 3/10 (15 April 2009)

And the major self hype in the beginning of the film.
But does it really live up to the expectations ? My answer is a big NO.
First of all, it extremely self congratulatory - "I planned and set in motion events to execute the perfect bank robbery". No, not in my opinion. dozen's of lives were put at risk. The plan was hardly fool proof.
Denzel Washington's character pays undue tribute to the robber - "Exactly where he wants me with my pants around my ankles". Not really - why would he have such a defeatist attitude ?
The main trick is similar to V for Vendetta - so it's nothing new. And it's hardly impossible to not isolate people who might have been involved by simple questioning - just ask who all opened an account in the bank recently or look for solid reasons for them to be in the bank.
And Denzel's boss says that no crime was committed. Really ? what do you call holding 20 people hostage for hours ?
Jodie Foster's character tries to be Wolf of Pulp fiction; without the same conviction, just the same (over)confidence.
Overall this movie was just a well made set of loopholes. While you may not feel bored due to the fast pace and witty dialog- but in the end an average viewer, not in awe of the big names, would feel a bit high and dry.