Review of Takers (2010) by A L — 21 Jul 2014

I've seen about a squillion movies (yes, that's because I'm old), and this was one of the better ones of this genre. As heist movies go this was better than Heat & the updated Italian Job.

Probably not as good as The Sting or, even, Ocean's 11, but hey; few will be. I would place it on par with Ronin, I think. You just had to get used to seeing the African American actors in the leading roles opposite Matt Dillon.

Since I'm of that demographic, it wasn't too hard for me. I didn't even mind the shaky camera work, Chris Brown, or T.I.'s acting that much. It was novel to see two fly brothers get such big roles.

I thought they did rather well. Did you ever see Keanu Reeves in anything? T.I. & Brown were better that Keanu hands down. And who knew Chris Brown could run a parkour route? He carried that off rather well, I thought.

Even young Vader did a good job. This flick is pretty much a pastiche of other heist movies, but lets face it; if you're going to rip off other people's work then at least do a decent job, right? Mission accomplished.

I hope Idris Elba and Paul Walker do a sequel. Elba and Walker worked well together and Elba has true leading man charisma. Certainly more than Keanu, Tom Cruise, Michael Madsen, or Sylvester Stallone; all of whom still get leading roles for some reason.

4 Stars 3-22-14.