Inside Man

I watched Inside Man at the cinema this past Friday and I have to say I was slightly disappointed with this movie. With an all star cast I was expecting the best heist movie ever but unfortunately I don't think that Inside Man lived up to it's billing.

There was just something that left me feeling slightly empty about this film - possibly because I was anticipating something special and it just didn't materialise.

The film is quick to get going as Clive Owen's band of bank robbers take control of the bank and begin to execute 'the perfect heist'. The cops then swing into action, principally led by Denzel Washington's hostage negotiator in an attempt to regain control and bring the perps to justice. Suffice to say there are a few twists and turns along the way.

Denzel Washington, as always, was right on the money in a performance that he probably could have sleepwalked through. He plays Detective Frazier, the chief hostage negotiator who needs to get a result. Frazier has a bungs scandal hanging over his head and is brought into the investigation because another officer is on vacation. Washington is the main man in this film as he undertakes the task of taking on Owen's crook.

The other principle stars are also pretty good, Jodie Foster is suitably loatheable as a lawyer and Christopher Plummer is also great as the shifty bank manager. Of all the villains, Owen takes centre stage and I enjoyed his performance, certainly more than in anything else I've seen him in.

Spike Lee who is on directing duties does a good job and this is actual a very watchable film.

I think the problem with this film is that it tries to be a little bit too clever and although it is well executed, I felt that the it lacked the kind of suspense, intensity & finale that this type of film needs to really work.

Full credit though to the film-maker for trying to accomplish something 'different' from other films in this genre. As I said at the top of the review, my disappoinment stems from the fact I was expecting greatness. Perhaps if I had entered with slightly lesser hopes then I would have enjoyed the film a bit more. Despite my reservations, I would certainly recommend it.