The Bank Job Movie Review

Penstalker will offer you more movie reviews of both international and foreign movies that are screening on Philippine movie houses.

A lot of movie critics consider Jason Statham a B-movie actor. They might be justified because of his track record with “The One”, “The Tranporter” 1& 2, and “Rouge War”. The Bank Job is another B-movie that has the characters running all over the place after a successful robbery stint. I am divided whether to recommend it or ditch it to oblivion.

Let’s just put it this way. If you love conspiracy theories—the types that involve monarchies, governments and thieves, the movie is for you. Or if you want some plain shoot ‘em, chase ‘em away, let’s get them types of flicks, you will still find the Bank Job enjoyable. Otherwise, you can just have it on DVD or just go to your favorite coffee shop and while away the time.

The Bank Job Story Line. Thugs, led by Terry (Jason Statham) cook up a nice little strategy to get to the safe of a bank. They dig under a handbag store for women until they reach the bank’s safe deposit boxes. They took all they can and left nothing. Fortunately, they also came across some smut photos of some well-known people probably taken by the paparazzi to blackmail these people. A chase ensues but these thugs divert the troops.

The plot of the Bank Job unfolds so rapidquicklyandveryfast that you barely have time to breathe and identify who the hooligans really are. Before long the thugs realize that they are in over their heads because the British monarchy is involved. Both high-level criminals and the government forces are now after them.

Good Stuff. Jason Statham’s performance in this movie is remarkable and he has improved from the usual action movies that he did in the past. This time, he has a chance to show off that he does not only kick butts. He also thinks and pulls things together. The movie has a lot of surreal events and action, too, that arrest the interest of the audience.

Badness. Although the filmmakers say that the movie is based on true events in 1971. The complex way that the heist is implemented makes you question that though. The events might have been based on true events but I’m doubting it. To these doubts, they say that the British government issued a D Notice, which is like news stonewalling on the side of the press. I sense a Dan Brown act here, saying that so-and-so is factual but does not attempt to separate fact from fiction, truth from fabrication.

Watch the movie if… you want some nasty action in a movie, or you have an intense devotion to the monarchy and members of the royal family. I bet, you might not see the monarchy, any monarchy for that matter, the same again.

Penstalker rating is 4 cups o’ coffee out of seven.

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Director: Roger Donaldson; Writers: Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais; director of photography: Mick Coulter; Editor: John Gilbert; Music: J. Peter Robinson; production designer: Gavin Bocquet; produced by Steven Chasman and Charles Roven; released by Lionsgate. 1 hour 50 minutes.

Cast of Characteres: Jason Statham (Terry), Saffron Burrows (Martine Love), Richard Lintern (Tim Everett), Stephen Campbell Moore (Kevin Swain), Daniel Mays (Dave Shilling), Peter Bowles (Miles Urquart), Peter De Jersey (Michael X) and David Suchet (Lew Vogel).

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