Affleck blows my mind again...

Rating: 10/10 (26 September 2010)

The Town- Some of the best directors were former actors: Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Mel Gibson, and now the name that pops into my mind when I think of actors turning great director is Ben Affleck.
The Town is about a long-time heist criminal named Doug MacRay, played by the director Ben Affleck, who falls in love with a former hostage and now witness for the FBI with the only information that could get Doug's crew thrown into prison for life. And as if that wasn't enough drama, Doug's best friend and fellow crew member James Coughlin, played by Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker), is a trigger-happy box of loose screws that is more than a little upset about Doug's new girlfriend and the fact that he wants to leave their hometown, Charlestown, for a simple life together in Florida.
Pursuing Doug and his crew is F.B.I. Special Agent Adam Frawley, played by Mad Men's John Hamm. Frawley is the classic asshole fed that we always see in the movies but with more of a dark-side. He doesn't exactly follow the rules and he has no qualms with shooting first and asking questions later.
As if that cast wasn't impressive enough, add Blake Lively, Chris Cooper, Titus Welliver, and Rebecca Hall as Doug's love interest and you know you're going to have a good time watching this.
The movie 'The Town' is based off of Chuck Hogan's novel 'Prince of Thieves' and while I have not read this movie I must assume that after watching this movie that it will be just as much as a thrill-ride.
I first got a taste of Affleck's directing skills when I bought the movie 'Gone Baby Gone' on recommendation from a friend. It quickly became my favorite movie which led to me reading the book by Dennis Lehane who quickly became my favorite author. So already, I was excited to see Affleck's next work.
The Town is what we like to call a "comeback." After Affleck did Gigli he was cast down on the mountain of fame left to do short cameos in films like Smokin' Aces where he was killed off in the first twenty minutes. And then in 2009 he was given a small role as a stoner in the Jason Bateman film 'Extract.' But now Affleck has reached the mountain peak again with his new movie at the top of the box office.
Who would I recommend this movie for? Well not for children, but everyone else, sure. While it may be a "man's" movie with hardcore action and plenty of violence to keep you cringing in your seat, there's still a thick plot and a love story being told within the film. The love story is enough to make female go "ooo-and awww" but not enough to where the men feel uncomfortable. I have to give Affleck one big piece of credit, this movie isn't a Jason Bourne, it's not anything with Jason Statham. It's not an attempt to get the blood rising and then leave you hanging. Ben brings you the thrills you want, but he never loses touch with the story and he always keeps the plot engaging and realistic.
With strong performances from all the cast, especially Renner, I have to say that this movie is definitely top notch. And for you ladies, there's a scene where Ben is doing some chin-ups, and it's obvious that Ben's been working out because his abs possibly rival Ryan Reynold's.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It had everything a good movie needs: Action, Crime, Humor, Romance, and a little bit of nudity. I give this movie a 10 out of 10 and I'm excited for Affleck's next directed movie.