Deacon
02-25-2006, 05:43 AM
Kinda unusual that this movie got released here before the U.S. (it opens there April 7th). Best way to describe it would be a cross between "Confidence" and "Pulp Fiction". Probably more of the latter, since it's clearly influenced by Tarantino, with its fractured narrative, flashbacks, occasional pop culture references and numerous scenes featuring talented actors talking. And talking. And talking some more.
But that's not entirely a criticism. These are really talented actors. And Josh Hartnett. I'm not a fan of his, but he's good here, well cast. And Lucy Liu is as appealing as she's ever been. Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Stanley Tucci, Sir Ben (don't forget the Sir) Kingsley are all impressive (minus Sir Ben's Noo Yawk accent). The mistaken identity/gangster story is familiar, but it's well directed by Paul McGuigan.
But there's one big problem.
It's the opening sequence. In it, Bruce Willis talks about a 'Kansas City Shuffle', where everyone thinks a person will go left, but the person then goes right. And we instantly know that this is a con movie, that there's something going on that we're not supposed to be seeing.
And, by the end of that flashback opening sequence, if you haven't guessed the direction of the entire movie, and its 'big' revelation, then you might as well have your movie geek card revoked.
And that's a shame, because familiarity aside, it's pretty entertaining. I just don't know that it's entertaining enough to warrant seeing it in theatres.
But that's not entirely a criticism. These are really talented actors. And Josh Hartnett. I'm not a fan of his, but he's good here, well cast. And Lucy Liu is as appealing as she's ever been. Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Stanley Tucci, Sir Ben (don't forget the Sir) Kingsley are all impressive (minus Sir Ben's Noo Yawk accent). The mistaken identity/gangster story is familiar, but it's well directed by Paul McGuigan.
But there's one big problem.
It's the opening sequence. In it, Bruce Willis talks about a 'Kansas City Shuffle', where everyone thinks a person will go left, but the person then goes right. And we instantly know that this is a con movie, that there's something going on that we're not supposed to be seeing.
And, by the end of that flashback opening sequence, if you haven't guessed the direction of the entire movie, and its 'big' revelation, then you might as well have your movie geek card revoked.
And that's a shame, because familiarity aside, it's pretty entertaining. I just don't know that it's entertaining enough to warrant seeing it in theatres.