Looked like a fun movie, and I'm a fan of Statham. It's good to hear that he's not the only thing worth watching in a movie.

This was a very entertaining film from the get-go, and it simmers quite steadily, and maintains most of the tension throughout to the final act in a very satisfying conclusion. Even to the last bit of details as the film concludes with a few screens of text telling the viewer what happened to the characters later, the sense of irony on display is very funny. The casting was uniformily good and solid, Jason Statham and Saffron Burrows being the more recognizable of the cast as the story is about a bank heist in London in the early 1970s.

There is a charm and wit to the screenplay, but it never overwhelms the bank job storyline, nor undercuts the consequences as getting into the bank vault, which proves to be much easier than extricating the gang from further trouble from many fronts after the deed is done. Director Roger Donaldson (who directed that fine thriller "No Way Out" over 20 years ago, and many other films of note in between) has a steady and assured hand in the direction of the film. My audience was in tune with the film's cheeky's humor (laughing at all the right spots), and yet felt aghast when the film turns a bit dark in the final act), but had a fine time overall.

I give it 3.5 stars, or a grade of B+.

I was underwhelmed.

I enjoyed it a lot! It's not typical of recent heist movies in that there's no twist or clever gimmick involved in the bank robbery (other than discovering the old crypt). The robbery itself is straightforward and transparent, and when the crew finds itself between a rock and a hard place afterward, their way out is also pretty clear and obvious. Those looking for sudden turns in the plot will be disappointed, but I liked that it's all pretty direct. Jason Statham is great in a more understated, nuanced role than his usual one-dimensional tough guy character. He is very believable as a dedicated family man who makes some bad choices. Saffron Burrows is absolutely beautiful and confident in her part, but I wish they had made her role a little meatier by introducing more conflict for her. The rest of the cast is really good--particularly the main policemen and the primary villains. The 70's setting is well done, not in-y0ur-face at all. Just a solid, well-made movie.

It's not a fun movie at all. It's quite serious. And extremely well done. Just gets better and better as it goes along. Was really surprised. 9/10

I expected just another movie. Nothing speacial. It was actually really good. Props to stathem(?) for a good job.

You're making me want to go this weekend!!

I love Jason Stratman so I will probably go see this movie. It looks good and I love him The Italian Job and Snatch. I always love movies like this b/c it's always nice to see how they pull these jobs off. Looks good, we see it when it comes out!

Went to see this after hearing all the flack 10,000 B.C. was getting.... happy we did. Kind of expected something more outrageous with Strathem (thinking about Transporter series) but was glad it was a more grounded film and he did really well in his part. Enjoyed all the characters and felt bad for the outcomes of some of them.
Sorry to see it didn't do so well, hope it will get some word of mouth next few weeks.

I was expecting more ass-kicking action, but once I got over that I really enjoyed it. The previews are a little misleading, it is more of a serious movie, but in a good way.

I was thinking that too. But this was very good...although the ending was tame. 9 out of 10

Just got back from this movie. If you go by the trailer it's a light hearted heist film. It actually turns pretty dark and violent after the heist. Torture, murder, double-cross, intrigue is all there. Well done with a good cast. I give it a solid B+ for entertainment value.

My one complaint; those think British accents can be just as tough to understand at times as a foreign language.

Well, fuck me - this is gone from my local theater after only two weeks. I was hoping to catch it this weekend. I'm not even going to to get into what films have been there for weeks on end, yet they dump this after two!?!

I know what you mean I always have to have the subtitles on for films with accents. I really have trouble with them... unfortunately I may have to wait for DVD now. I was going to see this this weekend.

Saw this over the weekend.

Really liked it. I agree with all the people who said it wasn't overwhelming.

Could've easily gone over the top with the robbery or the ending, but it kept at a decent pace.

Hercule Poirot was great as the Porn King!

Finally got a chance to see this. I thought it was a very well made, solid movie. There's no standout "must see" scenes but there's also not a lot of stuff hampering it. The movie makes the most of its 110 minutes, as (minor spoiler)



I'd recommend it. The movie doesn't have a ton of depth (you can't compare it to, say, Eastern Promises or The Lookout) but it's well-made (like the former) and more entertaining than the latter.

Saw this too this past weekend, really enjoyed it, and agree with sweet baby james, david suchet was perfect as the porn king. I really liked how they set the film, and the pace.

It was an extremely well done 70's film. redone for the 00s and made to look 70s.

great movie, i never heard of it until i read the paper the other day. i was expecting an action flick, but got something different. i wasnt disapointed tho because it ended up being a good movie.

Again, I didn't know too much from the movie. I was expecting the typical Jason Statham action fare, and I love that kind of stuff. But the movie was really great. Really good story and JS is a good lead here too.

Curious as to how and when the events in the movie became "unclassified" so to speak. There's one aspect of the movie I wouldn't think officials would ever let out.

I knew nothing of this film going into it and was expecting a dumb Vin Diesel-ish type of shoot em up and was pleasantly surprised that it was a more serious and well put together film. It reminded me alot of Stander with it's true story subject matter (of which I didn't know the Bank Job was based on).

watched it for the fourth time over the weekend and I still think this film will keep growing in popularity as times goes on. Everybody i've shown it to has been very impressed, great story, Statham is good without kicking that much butt.

I agree with you Sauce. I came here to post the very same sentiment. I saw it once in the theater and thought it was Statham's best performance ever. And a great film. Well, I just watched it for the fourth time myself today and this movie just gets better with each viewing. Meaning, I appreciate it more. Most definitely one of 2008's very best films. I cannot recommend this enough for people who are on the fence.

I always liked Statham's movies but he really did "act" in this one. In hios Transporter films I always felt he was so stoic so he wouldn't have to have any range before the next fight.