Really enjoyable

Rating: 8/10 (9 August 2006)

This was a pleasant surprise for me. It's less arty than the other Spike Lee films I've seen, and it plays more as straight entertainment without being bogged down politics or pretension. Don't get me wrong, It still has a few of his signature touches, but it's a nice change of pace for the director.
I thought the first 20 minutes or so were a little dull, but once it gets going, it sucks you right in. "Inside Man" is witty, smart and suspenseful, with great acting all over the place.
I think It ends up falling a little bit short of greatness, mostly due to the slow beginning and some tiny plot holes, but it's Lee's best film since "He Got Game" and I may warm to it more with repeated viewings.