Mask - Check, Gun - Check, Big Bank - Check. (Inside Man (DVD))

Member Name: katygriff

Product:	Inside Man (DVD)
Date:	15/08/06 (139 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Entertaining.

Disadvantages: Long.

Last night me and my fiancé Dave were sitting down and both complaining that we were both really bored. In true Katy style I decided that we could rent a movie and that I wanted to see The Inside Man because I had heard good reports, plus the fact that I fancy Clive Owen like mad might have had something to do with it. Dave knowing that when it comes to movies I am much better at making decisions than him trusted me so off we went to watch it and here is what I thought.

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The Film:

Within two seconds of the film starting we are introduced to Dalton Russell who informs us that he has the perfect bank robbery sorted out. He continues to tell us why it is taking place, when, where and how. We are then thrown straight into the action with Owen successfully integrating himself within the bank and beginning his perfect robbery.

Meanwhile Detective Frazier is getting a bit excited because he is getting a chance to shine on a case. He has been called to a bank robbery situation where it is known that the robbers have guns and hostages. He takes with him detective Mitchell and together they must suss out how to get through to a robber who seems to have it all planned out.

Another subplot of the film is a lady called Madeline White who at first seems to be just a property mind but it soon becomes apparent she is the master of persuasion. The owner of the bank being robbed has something of considerable value in a safety deposit box and he wants White to get it back for him.


Verdict on the story:

For the first time in a while I think the story is extremely good in this film. The concept of the perfect robbery is a good one and how the police can foil a perfect robbery is very interesting indeed. I think that throughout the film, the story was good enough to grab hold of the viewer’s attention and keep it there until the end without it wavering.

The thing I liked is that instead of it just being a bank robbery there were a few little sub-plots such as White’s story which took your mind off just what Russell wants. The main idea of the robbery is nothing silly either as Russell just wants to get rich but I think when you watch the story you will see how clever it actually is.

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Cast and Characters:

Clive Owen – Dalton Russell
Denzel Washington – Frazier
Jodie Foster – Madeline White
Christopher Plummer – Arthur Case
Chiwetel Ejiofor – Mitchell


Verdict on the Cast and Characters:

I think the cast is superb with Clive Owen showing what he can do best in a lead role and that is bring everything to a certain character that you could want. Denzel Washington as usual is excellent playing a very smooth character which of course is what he does well. Now usually I hate Jodie Foster as I think she is a rubbish actress but in this film she comes across well and suite her character so I could just about stand watching her.

Characters in this film are great although I can’t say they are memorable. They are the type of characters you tend to watch and not think much about apart from they are ok and then forget about them. I did however like Russell as I think if I were the police I would have found him annoyingly correct as a bank robber.

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Things to Know:

Runtime – 129 minutes
Certificate – 15
Price – £11.89 on Amazon

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Special Features:

Now a bit of a pain as I really enjoyed this movie so I looked forward to seeing some special features. Unfortunately there is none.

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Verdict:

This film is definitely worth seeing as it is definitely the best DVD going for rent or buy at the moment. I think the story was fun, the characters were quite cool and the sequences in the film were great. I would not say it is going to become a classic but I think it is fun to watch and very enjoyable.

One of my favourite things about this film is Clive Owen as I just think he is wonderful. As somebody who is robbing the bank you would think you were supposed to think he was the bad guy of the film but he doesn’t come across as that. What he does come across as is somebody extremely clever who thinks before they act and also plans things to perfection which actually made me admire his character.

The way the film is shot is fantastic as you get to see what is happening from inside and outside of the bank which is good so you do not feel like you are missing out on anything.

My only small niggle with the film is the actual length. At 129 minutes it is a little long and although you may think well there has to be a lot of action, there isn’t really. This film is more of a thinking film, about what is going to happen next and I loved it but I can imagine some people getting a little fed up towards the end.

In conclusion I think I am going to give Inside Man four stars because I found it extremely enjoyable and my only little qualm was that it was a bit too long. The length didn’t bother me but Dave got a bit fed up with it. I would watch this if you like things such as the new Italian Job Movie as it reminded me of that for some reason. It has the sort of same style.

Thanks for reading.

xxx

Summary: Good but Long.