I would never do it, but as I get older and bills pile up, I’ve fantasized about robbing a bank or two. I’m smart enough to know I would never get away with it, and I don’t have a single violent bone in my body. Still, coming into a few duffel bags of cash would solve a lot of my problems, and definitely create some new ones. In David Leitch’s How to Rob a Bank, four modern-day Robin Hoods stick up banks, post their heists on social media, and make a mockery of perplexed law enforcement who don’t know how to contend with a criminal element that’s savvier than them. The film comes to theaters on Friday, November 13, but the first reactions to Leitch’s latest action blockbuster are already making the rounds.
What’s the Movie About?
In How to Rob a Bank, a crew of social media-savvy bank robbers broadcasts their daring heists, unaware that their growing viral fame has put them in the crosshairs of a veteran FBI agent and a brilliant software engineer. Despite the unlikely duo closing in, the crime ring pushes past their limits, putting everything on the line for their beliefs and their most ambitious heist yet.
What Are the Critics Saying?
Critics and those lucky enough to attend early screenings have positive things to say about Leitch’s latest thrill ride, though some say the story lacks emotional connection and feels like more flash than bang for your buck.
Canadian film reviewer Darren Movie Reviews said, “How to Rob a Bank is Robin Hood for the TikTok generation. Building the story around the viral group of bank robbers and their YouTube channel, David Leitch’s latest speeds by at a mile a minute with video tutorials and well directed practical chase sequences, though unfortunately at the sacrifice of getting to know the bank robbers themselves. It does stall any true emotional connection to the story, causing the second half to over rely on tired cliches of the heist genre, but with the talented Nicholas Hoult and Anna Sawai as the lead robbers and the unexpected sure fire comedic pairing of Zoë Kravitz and John C. Reilly, it’s hard not to have a fun time with this standard heist film.”
Meanwhile, David Ehrlich, IndieWire’s Chief Film Critic, said, “Jeff Bezos says, ‘eat the rich lol,’ in a poppy and half-fun Amazon Studios heist movie for the livestream generation. more than a little ridiculous, but when Nicholas Hoult tells you to do crime you do crime.”
Edward Douglas of The Weekend Warrior Show urges audiences not to judge the film too harshly by its opening salvo, saying, “David Leitch really can do no wrong in my book, and while How to Rob a Bank has problems with how it sets up its premise, it definitely gets better as it goes along. The best part of the movie is the unlikely buddy cop comedy happening between Zoe Kravitz and John C. Reilly.”
Unfortunately, TheClubOrtiz is less inclined to recommend that audiences stick around for this “shallow” heist film, saying, “How to Rob a Bank is a shallow and messy attempt to explore rebellion against the system. There are definitely some great action set pieces here and I do like what it’s trying to do on paper but the pacing and muddled storytelling suck the life out of it. I really wanted more.”
Tom Chatalbash thinks the movie is invigorating, saying, “How to Rob a Bank is a ferocious and propulsive blast from start to finish. Leitch dials back his more over-the-top tendencies and delivers his most grounded film yet, a highly refreshing change of pace. The practical stunt work and set pieces are palpably visceral, handsomely made and tactile, the film delivering droves of entertainment value with Leitch’s trademark panache to boot. Hoult is smooth as silk, Davidson delivers easily his best performance to date, but the highlight is the mismatched pairing of Reilly and Kravitz that is endlessly entertaining and surprisingly tender. The film’s eat the rich story and social commentary on the banking system and internet virality is hardly revelatory, but this is a lively, emotionally charged thriller that proves Leitch is a far more exciting and engaging filmmaker when he manages to stay a bit more tethered to the ground.”
To end the first reactions on a high note, Rachel Leishman says she had a blast with Leitch’s latest big-screen spectacle, writing, “How to Rob a Bank is an incredible take on corporate greed, societal anger, and the TikTok generation. Nicholas Hoult carries so much of the weight of the film on his shoulders with a surprisingly deep performance by Pete Davidson. And I loved seeing my hometown shine!”
The Verdict: Is It Worth a Ticket This Weekend?
Despite a handful of mixed reactions, I’m more than game to check out How to Rob a Bank. Leitch’s Bullet Train is one of my favorite action films in recent years, and I like the energy and premise of his new film.
How about you? Will you go and see How to Rob a Bank in theaters this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below.
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