This passable thriller works on slickness alone. While it offers up nothing above convention to its genre, each clichéd action scene is directed and photographed with expense and effort which make the movie an enjoyable watch. I'm also surprised to hear myself say this, but the casting of Eddie Murphy actually works here and he puts in a good, solid performance as the wisecracking negotiator who wins our hearts as the film progresses. Although typecast as a comedian, Murphy passes nicely as an action movie hero and is supported by an above-average cast, including Michael Rapaport who plays his new partner. However, acting honours must go to Michael Wincott, that gravelly-voiced villain who puts in a wonderful turn as the creepy bad guy here; however, he's pretty good in all of his movies.
The couple of hostage scenes in this film are inventive and highly taut, and there's a great gruesome gag involving a severed ear. The film's highlight comes at around halfway through which begins with a car chase through the streets of San Francisco and ends on a runaway tram. Seemingly endless cars go artistically flying through the air at every opportunity before crashing back to earth and the adrenaline is certainly pumping at these moments. Added to this, villain Wincott is nearly indestructible in this movie which makes the various chase scenes exciting and enjoyable to watch. The finale is set in a clichéd old warehouse on the docks and ends with a big explosion as you would expect, along with throwing in an imminent death for the heroine if Murphy doesn't get there fast enough. Clichéd but fun, METRO is a highly enjoyable movie which won't require the brain to be in gear but successfully entertains the viewer throughout.
The couple of hostage scenes in this film are inventive and highly taut, and there's a great gruesome gag involving a severed ear. The film's highlight comes at around halfway through which begins with a car chase through the streets of San Francisco and ends on a runaway tram. Seemingly endless cars go artistically flying through the air at every opportunity before crashing back to earth and the adrenaline is certainly pumping at these moments. Added to this, villain Wincott is nearly indestructible in this movie which makes the various chase scenes exciting and enjoyable to watch. The finale is set in a clichéd old warehouse on the docks and ends with a big explosion as you would expect, along with throwing in an imminent death for the heroine if Murphy doesn't get there fast enough. Clichéd but fun, METRO is a highly enjoyable movie which won't require the brain to be in gear but successfully entertains the viewer throughout.