Here we have one of those "average Joe caught up in something big... really big" style scenarios that Hitchcock excelled at. Jerry Shaw has rather aimlessly wandered through life until he finds an unexplained $700k in his bank account and a truck load of questionable materials in his apartment. The FBI - or whatever government agency, it's not important - naturally doesn't believe him and that all these things didn't "just show up" at his apartment and they intend to keep him locked up in what appears to be a stronghold. Lucky for Jerry Shaw, a mysterious woman calls him and starts giving him very precise directions about what to do and - voila! - he's out of prison after jumping out from the building, after a crane tore through it. Of course he is not hurt and of course the government is after him but his guardian angel helps him stay ahead via telephone.
That can only be interpreted as utterly overblown and preposterous, but given that this is a big-budget action film that should come a no surprise. The trouble comes when the film doesn't stop it with these amazing escapes and seemingly divine interventions to help the main characters stay one step ahead of their pursuers. So much so that many obvious plot holes appear and each one gapes wider than one that preceded it. How can untrained civilians who don't even handle weapons correctly (a fact to which the film admits) successfully rob an armored car? They were directed there by their supposed all knowing guide, yet for something that can be apprehended much more effectively and without any real risk elsewhere. How can precision aimed missile always hit their target except when the main character is the target? Most perplexing of all - how can a super surveillance computer not notice someone signaling Morse Code right in front of one of it's many electric eyes? For all intents and purposes and for the sake of going along for the ride, these questions can be ignored, but they still indicate sloppiness.
The action scenes are pretty amusing can contain some spectacular roadway wreckage and, plot holes aside, the film does move at a good pace and many of the situations are surprising even if not for the right reasons. Also, as with many thrillers, this one probes some hot button issues relevant in today's world, but ultimately favors spectacle over sense. Action fans will enjoy it just for that, but those who prefer their thrillers like Jason Bourne, steer well clear of this. --- 6/10
BsCDb Classification: PG --- violence, profanity
That can only be interpreted as utterly overblown and preposterous, but given that this is a big-budget action film that should come a no surprise. The trouble comes when the film doesn't stop it with these amazing escapes and seemingly divine interventions to help the main characters stay one step ahead of their pursuers. So much so that many obvious plot holes appear and each one gapes wider than one that preceded it. How can untrained civilians who don't even handle weapons correctly (a fact to which the film admits) successfully rob an armored car? They were directed there by their supposed all knowing guide, yet for something that can be apprehended much more effectively and without any real risk elsewhere. How can precision aimed missile always hit their target except when the main character is the target? Most perplexing of all - how can a super surveillance computer not notice someone signaling Morse Code right in front of one of it's many electric eyes? For all intents and purposes and for the sake of going along for the ride, these questions can be ignored, but they still indicate sloppiness.
The action scenes are pretty amusing can contain some spectacular roadway wreckage and, plot holes aside, the film does move at a good pace and many of the situations are surprising even if not for the right reasons. Also, as with many thrillers, this one probes some hot button issues relevant in today's world, but ultimately favors spectacle over sense. Action fans will enjoy it just for that, but those who prefer their thrillers like Jason Bourne, steer well clear of this. --- 6/10
BsCDb Classification: PG --- violence, profanity