An embattled detective tries to work out how an unorthodox bank robbery became a hostage situation. Smart heist/siege movie that works as an intelligent genre piece and a sly political commentary on post-9/11 America. Lots to enjoy, with clever performances all around and plenty to think about. Recommended.
Tag: Clive Owen
Gemini Man (2019, dir. Ang Lee)
An elite assassin on the verge of retirement is targeted for execution. A good-looking action flick that takes ages to tell us what the poster does. One great action sequence aside, it’s underpowered, though a game support cast of Brit character actors do their best with none-more-90s material.
Anon (2018, dir. Andrew Niccol)
In the near future, a detective investigates a woman without a data presence. Minimalist thriller typical of its director’s concerns with surveillance. Well-designed, and with plenty of good stuff along the way, but maybe a touch too austere, falling between arthouse and genre piece.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017, dir. Luc Besson)
Two elite agents work to uncover a dark secret at the heart of a gigantic space station. Clunkily-scripted and unevenly-acted but undeniably spectacular and well-designed SF fantasy; a $200m auteur piece, for good or ill, and all the better for its distinctiveness.
Another view? Here’s Lemonsquirtle’s thoughts.
Killer Elite (2011, dir. Gary McKendry)
A team of mercenaries fall foul of a SAS death squad. Brisk and intriguing 1980-set thriller with bags of action, based on a then-controversial Ranulph Fiennes book. More action than sense at times, but still plenty of genre fun.
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