Good cast, terrible writing *SPOILERS*

Rating: 2/10 (10 August 2006)

There's already a post about the worst scene in the movie. I'm not going to argue it, that scene was terrible (Denzel being "sucked" to the front door of the bank). But what about the preceding scene? The camera a top the mobile command post pans to a seemingly all glass section of the bank just in time to see a hostage take one in the grill? Was I supposed to think I was watching a video game? This execution scene (albeit a fake one in the movie) was horrendous.
On to a couple other scenes...
1.) I've got to address the Albanian language scene(s) First off, could these sharp NY detectives REALLY not tell that was a recording, regardless of the language? I don't speak Albanian, German or any other language they suggested - but with say, and 8th grade education, one should be able to distinguish a recorded communist speech and bank robber banter. It was one voice going on about - Accuracy really sticks its head out in the next scene. The NYPD (with all its resources) decides to ask the crowd outside the crime scene to id this "mystery" language by broadcasting the language over the command post loud speaker. Within 10 seconds a brilliant construction worker notes that this language is Albanian.
Denzel: "Are you sure it's Albanian?" Worker: "Yeah, it's Albanian - from Albania."
WOAH! Really? The Albanian language is from Albania? I better notify the UN! We've got a developing situation!
Believability was out the door at this point in the movie, but this dialogue gave "Inside Man" a one way ticket to the Razzies.
I could go on, but for the sake of the average American's attention span, I wont.
Two stars, one for each of Jodie Foster's well defined calf muscles.