Fergus
10-07-2001, 01:24 AM
BANDITS
Directed by Barry Levinson
Starring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Cate Blanchett
Well guys, I just got back from a Sneak Preview of "Bandits", and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this comedy-caper from Levinson.
I won't discuss the plot to the film, just that Willis and Thornton are bank robbers who run into some funny and entertaining predicaments.
The first half of the film starts with incredibe energy. Thornton plays a sort of neurotic/ obsessive compulsive/ cynical/ sensitive/ whining kind of guy who has the brains and not the looks. He is a standout character in the movie, and personally, he does a better job than any other character in the movie. It is not just that his part was so well written, but he does comedy VERY well. If you have seen Primary Colors, you'll know what I'm talking about. His constant bickering about everything from the bank robberies to his own problems with himself is hilarious.
Okay, if anyone saw Willis' previous comedy The Whole Nine Yards, you'll know that it was an incredibly silly movie. Not here. It actually starts out serious, then turns on the comedy, and gets serious, then more comedy, and so on. It doesn't just flat out stay a comedy the entire time, it takes time with the characters; there's a love triangle which is developed. There is a lot of situational humor used here, and not just a bunch of one-liners. It uses mostly all kinds of comedy here, even slapstick.
I could not for the life of me predict what the end would turn out to be, but they surprised me. It was clever and made total sense. This was "the" problem with Rat Race, the ending stunk. Despite the slowness through most of the second hour, this finishes rather nicely.
I came out of the theater feeling entertained, and that's what you want when you go and see a movie, entertainment. But it wasn't stupid, it did have a logical sense to it. This is one of the better movies of the year, and probably first or second best comedy depending on how good Jay and Silent Bob is. This has my vote to have the top spot at the box office next weekend, and I hope it does well.
If you see it, I suggest not knowing anything beforehand, just going in expecting an entertaining two hours. And I stress that Thornton is GREAT in this movie. 8/10
[This message has been edited by Fergus (edited 10-07-2001).]
Directed by Barry Levinson
Starring Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Cate Blanchett
Well guys, I just got back from a Sneak Preview of "Bandits", and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with this comedy-caper from Levinson.
I won't discuss the plot to the film, just that Willis and Thornton are bank robbers who run into some funny and entertaining predicaments.
The first half of the film starts with incredibe energy. Thornton plays a sort of neurotic/ obsessive compulsive/ cynical/ sensitive/ whining kind of guy who has the brains and not the looks. He is a standout character in the movie, and personally, he does a better job than any other character in the movie. It is not just that his part was so well written, but he does comedy VERY well. If you have seen Primary Colors, you'll know what I'm talking about. His constant bickering about everything from the bank robberies to his own problems with himself is hilarious.
Okay, if anyone saw Willis' previous comedy The Whole Nine Yards, you'll know that it was an incredibly silly movie. Not here. It actually starts out serious, then turns on the comedy, and gets serious, then more comedy, and so on. It doesn't just flat out stay a comedy the entire time, it takes time with the characters; there's a love triangle which is developed. There is a lot of situational humor used here, and not just a bunch of one-liners. It uses mostly all kinds of comedy here, even slapstick.
I could not for the life of me predict what the end would turn out to be, but they surprised me. It was clever and made total sense. This was "the" problem with Rat Race, the ending stunk. Despite the slowness through most of the second hour, this finishes rather nicely.
I came out of the theater feeling entertained, and that's what you want when you go and see a movie, entertainment. But it wasn't stupid, it did have a logical sense to it. This is one of the better movies of the year, and probably first or second best comedy depending on how good Jay and Silent Bob is. This has my vote to have the top spot at the box office next weekend, and I hope it does well.
If you see it, I suggest not knowing anything beforehand, just going in expecting an entertaining two hours. And I stress that Thornton is GREAT in this movie. 8/10
[This message has been edited by Fergus (edited 10-07-2001).]