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A bank heist led by Lorenz (Wesley Snipes) takes place at the height of business
activity.
Customers and staff are rounded up and taken hostage, while the bank is wired for an explosion to keep off the lawmen. Detective Connors (Jason Statham), on suspension for mishandling a similar robbery and hostage crisis, is called back to service to deal with the situation upon Loren'z request. However, the robbers prove elusive. Before any contact or negotiation could take place, an explosion brings down the bank. In the utter confusion and disorder, they make good their escape. From hereon the events become a series of the police and the bad guys pursuing, eluding each other, and explosive confrontations. At the same time circumstances are surfacing of Lorenz wanting to settle a score with Conners, as much as the latter being determined to bring the latter down.
While suspense is well sustained, the story however is affected by its unpredictable subplots. The focus is on the
number of violent conflicts where the two characters prove their ability to outwit each other.
Statham and Snipes are believable as tough and uncomprising characters determined to attain their objectives. Ryan Phillippe is attention-catching as the neophyte in police work, earnestly investigating the evidences of who is really behind the latest bank heist.
Somewhat midway into the film, discerning viewers may see that this is not the regular crime and action story playing good
guys against the bad ones; and the good overcoming the bad.
One character is shown as a criminal and maintains that personality until he is vanquished, although he begins, in the story, to have an axe to grind against the protagonist who appears to be on the side of the law, but in reality is intricately carrying out a plan for himself. Using the on-going heist as cover, he-the lawman-is the real robber. Unfortunately, he escapes with a billion dollar-loot. The story ends with this negative impact: that a law enforcer, who is expected to protect people and institution instead, breaks the bank, with an intricate and sophisticated method. Featuring a greenhorn young and dedicated cop who solves the robbery case does not remove the image of the one who shows that crime pays.
(Date Reviewed: 02 June 2006)
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