The Unrepaired!

Rating: 5/10 (13 November 2005)

This movie is the perfect example of having a good premise and high production values yet having bad execution. The story is about Treasury officer Eliot Ness' recruitment of 'untouchables' and their work in defeating crime boss Al Capone. My problem with the movie was it tried to be two things at the same time; a family-friendly epic adventure and a gritty crime drama. The result was a full set of contrived and hokey scenes. There's no character development courtesy of the inane script. The actors spout off one cheesy line after another. Ennio Morricone's musical scores are always top-notch but this time the music doesn't fit quite well. The score sounds too upbeat and silly for the movie's vacillating tone. You also have an uninvolving antagonist in the form of Robert De Niro. All we get from him is long speeches that have nothing to do with the main plot. His scenes didn't advance the story. They only exist to show off De Niro as Capone. Furthermore, Sean Connery's performance isn't Oscar-caliber and Kevin Costner isn't convincing as Ness. Andy Garcia showed promise, but like I mentioned earlier, the screenplay didn't develop him or anybody enough for me to care. And what's worse, you get an implausible resolution set in a court room. It's a fast-paced movie with stylish images but not as great as some might suggest.