Truth is stranger than fiction.
And way more coked up!
The Story:
Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) is a fitness trainer at a local gym in Florida. He's tired of getting nowhere in search of the American dream, so he has a plan: Steal it from a rich jerk, Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub). So he enlists his best friend Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and they bring in some even bigger muscle in ex-con Paul (Dwayne Johnson) to pull off their heist. Things don't go so well, but eventually they begin to bleed Victor dry of all of his assets. Then things begin to go from bad to worse for the trio...
Sure, some of the events are exaggerated for the big screen, but basically, this is a true story unfolding before your eyes.
It's unbelievable in the ineptitude of our trio, and also the sheer willpower of Victor to not get killed! Insane...
I must mention that it's a film directed by Michael Bay, which should immediately make many people roll their eyes and groan.
Not this guy, I've got no problem with the majority of his films. They're perfect popcorn films.
The hard part of this film is that it is based on a true story. It's hard to root for either side because one side is doing illegal things and the other is a jerk. But you feel bad rooting against either, because they do a good job playing their roles.
The guy deserves to have his money stolen... and they deserve to go to jail.
And way more coked up!
The Story:
Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) is a fitness trainer at a local gym in Florida. He's tired of getting nowhere in search of the American dream, so he has a plan: Steal it from a rich jerk, Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub). So he enlists his best friend Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and they bring in some even bigger muscle in ex-con Paul (Dwayne Johnson) to pull off their heist. Things don't go so well, but eventually they begin to bleed Victor dry of all of his assets. Then things begin to go from bad to worse for the trio...
Sure, some of the events are exaggerated for the big screen, but basically, this is a true story unfolding before your eyes.
It's unbelievable in the ineptitude of our trio, and also the sheer willpower of Victor to not get killed! Insane...
I must mention that it's a film directed by Michael Bay, which should immediately make many people roll their eyes and groan.
Not this guy, I've got no problem with the majority of his films. They're perfect popcorn films.
The hard part of this film is that it is based on a true story. It's hard to root for either side because one side is doing illegal things and the other is a jerk. But you feel bad rooting against either, because they do a good job playing their roles.
The guy deserves to have his money stolen... and they deserve to go to jail.
Hard to have a rooting interest when your own film divides the feelings of the audience.
Of the cast, The Rock easily steals the picture as the larger than life coke head. He's funny and he delivers the best lines throughout the film.
Also not mentioned is the always great Ed Harris as the private detective who helps bring the trio to justice. Nice to see him playing a good guy again, as he's been wearing the black hat too often lately.
Crazy story you have to see to believe.
Final Grade: B-/C+ range. Good but not great.
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I'd probably have to pass on owning it, and I'm not sure I'd sit through it again. Once was good. Maybe after a few years have passed?
No comments:
Post a Comment