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"I don't want to blow a gasket over this thing because it's just a good British popcorn film," I wrote last March 5th about Roger Donaldson's The Bank Job. "But entertainments of this sort -- tight, tough, well-honed -- are few and far between.
"It isn't a classic drama, but it's not a whammy-chart action film either. No car chases, no explosions and star Jason Statham only beats up one guy (or is it two?) in the whole thing. But it's the best crafted and most gripping low-key suspense thriller I've seen in ages." Easily among my favorite '08 films so far. And out today on DVD.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 15, 2008 at 11:23 AM
comment #1
DavidF
says ...
I concur.
I just saw this film recently and while not a classic, it's a fun caper flick - with a bit of real/speculative history thrown in, that deserved a better run than it got.
Posted by DavidF
at July 15, 2008 12:26 PM
comment #2
Brock Landers
says ...
Couldn't agree more. In its own modest way it effectively establishes a sense of place and period, and turns the screws quite well.
Why isn't Jason Statham a bigger star? Too many low-grade action flicks? The guy has the look and the presence and the chops...
Posted by Brock Landers
at July 15, 2008 12:31 PM
comment #3
Edward
says ...
Brock Landers asks: "Why isn't Jason Statham a bigger star? Too many low-grade action flicks? The guy has the look and the presence and the chops..."
He's bald.
Posted by Edward
at July 15, 2008 1:03 PM
comment #4
Legowombat
says ...
I think it's a combination of typecasting and Bad Choices, but I imagine a lot of acting is simply picking the best out of what is available at that moment in time, if you want to pay the rent.
Posted by Legowombat
at July 15, 2008 1:13 PM
comment #5
Aladdin Sane
says ...
His low budget action flicks definitely don't help in cultivating star status. I think he's a really good actor with shit taste in scripts - then he does something like The Bank Job that totally redeems the last year or so of bad choices.
Posted by Aladdin Sane
at July 15, 2008 1:19 PM
comment #6
62Lincoln
says ...
I placed this in my Netflix que thanks to you, and it arrives tomorrow. Hooray!
Posted by 62Lincoln
at July 15, 2008 1:33 PM
comment #7
62Lincoln
says ...
Mr. Wells, I placed this in my Netflix que thanks to you, and it arrives tomorrow. Hooray!
Posted by 62Lincoln
at July 15, 2008 1:33 PM
comment #8
62Lincoln
says ...
Sorry for the stuttering comments.
Posted by 62Lincoln
at July 15, 2008 1:34 PM
comment #9
actionman
says ...
Excellent film; one of the best of the year. Extremely entertaining.
Posted by actionman
at July 15, 2008 1:38 PM
comment #10
Rich S.
says ...
God help me, but the trailer for Death Race makes it look not completely horrible. I know, it's Paul W.S. Anderson. But the presence of Joan Allen and Ian McShane gives me some hope.
Posted by Rich S.
at July 15, 2008 1:42 PM
comment #11
GonePostal
says ...
I also saw "The Bank Job" partially due to Wells' recommendation, and I've been recommending my friends pick it up today on DVD. It's a great tale well told, and Statham is great as always in it.
He has made some bad choices, including a Uwe Boll flick and "The One" but I find him pretty entertaining in all of his films, and really like his work in "The Transporter" films, if only because they're such wild rides. "Crank" is goofy but fun as well. I hope he gets some better roles down the pipe.
Posted by GonePostal
at July 15, 2008 1:51 PM
comment #12
Ju-osh
says ...
The criminals take a nap midway through a bank robbery. Yeah, totally awesome.
Posted by Ju-osh
at July 15, 2008 2:10 PM
comment #13
Gaydos
says ...
Why I visit HE: First you get to Barack before me, now Bank Job. Just saw it and ABSOLUTELY my favorite film of the year so far (tied with Wall E). But here's the question of the moment: when was the last heist movie that worked this well? I have to go waaaaaaaaaay back to find one this tight, character-driven, fun, full of color, suspense and shrewd observations about class and corruption. What a gem and kudos to you for beating the drum early and loudly.
Posted by Gaydos
at July 15, 2008 2:31 PM
comment #14
The Winchester
says ...
"The criminals take a nap midway through a bank robbery. Yeah, totally awesome."
While I concur with the feelings of most that The Bank Job was a damn solid flick, this post was quite hilarious.
Posted by The Winchester
at July 15, 2008 3:43 PM
comment #15
StoneFan1
says ...
What about Sexy Beast? Or is that more of a
British gangster flick? (i.e. Long Good Friday)
I rented "Bank Job" tonight and I can't wait to watch it.
Posted by StoneFan1
at July 15, 2008 4:00 PM
comment #16
moviemaniac2002
says ...
Absolutely terriffic British beefeater stew of a
thriller. a throwback to the days when the
storyline propelled the action (instead of the
other way around.) Statham emerges out of
this like a British Steve McQueen...and Saffron
Buirrows' cheekbones are a more natural
stunning sight than any CGI creation you'll see
this year.
And SPOILER ALERT)........when Statham finally unleashes a wonderfully deserving beatdown to the odious
Porno lord (dellvering those swift kicks into the
swine's torturing kidney stones)......it's a more
satisfying moment than the combined
running time of the last five or six action movies
you've seen.
Posted by moviemaniac2002
at July 15, 2008 5:16 PM
comment #17
Mgmax
says ...
I think Jason Statham is exactly the star he should be. What do you want, to see him in romantic comedies with Kate Hudson or Reese Witherspoon? He's a minimalist badass, okay as an actor but credible when he delivers a punch (which many aren't), and we'll look back happily on the best of his string of B movies like we do at Charles McGraw's now.
Posted by Mgmax
at July 15, 2008 5:57 PM
comment #18
atticusrex
says ...
I've got this one coming in the mail... can't wait. I hope it's as good and entertaining as my other favorite movie of the year so far: In Bruge.
Jason is a really good actor in all the movies he's in. But in some ways he also is a 'type'. He brings some weight to the action genre. He isn't some muscled up or martial arts expert but he can carry the roles that call for those needs.
He is the british Bruce Willis without quite the sense of comedic timing but close.
His debut on our shores in Lock, Stock was great but then so was Vinny Jones, another decent bloke actor who isn't getting the roles he should. Perhaps because he isn't as handsome as Jason... but who knows... Vinny, and Jason are part of a special group of actors from across the pond that a great to watch work their magic. These two join Daniel Craig, Clive Owens, Sean Bean, Colin Farrell and Ray Winstone and of course the mighty (though been at it long enough) Ian McShane who all shine alongside the great Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Albert Finney, Brandon Gleason and Tim Wilkerson.
All actors that I can watch in just about anything.
Posted by atticusrex
at July 15, 2008 6:02 PM
comment #19
BurmaShave
says ...
If there was any justice, Saffron Burrows would be on everybody's Best Supporting Actress shortlist. Wells? How about it? Feel like beating that drum?
Posted by BurmaShave
at July 15, 2008 9:03 PM
comment #20
ZayTonday
says ...
The most underrated movie of 2008. The Blu-ray should be on my doorstep tomorrow, thanks Amazon.
Posted by ZayTonday
at July 15, 2008 10:37 PM
comment #21
The Hoyk
says ...
Anyone seen the new DVD or Blu-Ray release who can vouch for the image ratio? The last couple Roger Donaldson movies were theatrically presented at 2.35 scope (as was BANK JOB) but on DVD were presented at 1.77 (albeit opened up from a 1.66 negative matted for Super 35 composition). I'm hoping he has given up this practice but I'm not feeling hopeful.
Posted by The Hoyk
at July 16, 2008 3:24 AM
comment #22
StoneFan1
says ...
"The Bank Job" is 2:35:1
The problem with Statham most of the time is that
he doesn't convey much under the surface or at
least not on a Steve McQueen level. If he's the
Steve McQueen of this era, then we've fallen
off quite a bit from the 60's, which we clearly
have.
Now, the film was decent, but not great. I felt
like it easily could've been done on HBO or
Showtime with half the budget. Nowhere near the
quality of "The World's Fastest Indian" or "The
Bounty," but still worthwhile and a fine effort by all
those involved. I did like how low key 99% of it
felt. I think Russell Crowe from the mid-90's
would've done a much better job than Statham
was able to do in some of the more emotional
scenes (i.e. the one with his wife late in the film).
I must say Saffon Burrows is a true beauty and
should be used FAR MORE in high profile projects
than she has been thus far. I doubt any actor
will be nominated, it just didn't allow for much in
that department, but I thought the costumes,
makeup, editing, production design, and casting
were all outstanding. B+ overall.
I was also thankfull they didn't overload us with
period music. I can't think of one corny, early-70's
element in the piece.
The missing piece was some sort of emotonial
under current running throughout. Perhaps, they
didn't want that, but it would've made for a far
more enjoyable experience with some meat
to the whole "Statham / Burrows / Statham's wife
/ Statham's buddy who had something for Burrows
back in the day" storyline. I also didn't feel anything
when the MI5 girl was killed by Michael X. Were
we supposed to feel something? I think we were,
but I didn't.
Posted by StoneFan1
at July 16, 2008 5:48 AM
comment #23
K. Bowen
says ...
One of my favorites of the year. Tremendously entertaining.
Posted by K. Bowen
at July 16, 2008 7:41 AM
comment #24
saramie
says ...
he's cool ...I know many people on " TALLMEET .COM "talk about him..I saw him just have some talk with his fans on that site..u should join in..
Posted by saramie
at July 16, 2008 5:59 PM
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