REVIEW: Inside Man

Director: Spike Lee



Starring: Clive Owen, Denzel Washington and Jodie Foster



Plot: We're in modern day New York city, here. Basically, Clive Owen and a few other people go and rob this luxurious bank wearing black jumpsuits, white masks and sunglasses. Denzel Washington is a clever and streetmart detective assigned to take on this case, and negotiate with Mr. Clive. This is a fast-paced flick with a plot intended to challenge you. Whose side SHOULD you be on? Is our Clive just some poor and desperate bank robber out for some cash? Or is it something more...




Critique: This was a fun one. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this film other than that Mr. Clive Owen and his big blue-green eyes would surely be in it. Not a huge fan of Denzel Washington, the only movie I really enjoyed him in was Glory. Wait... there was another one that was really good. That couldn't have been the only one... I don't know Bone Collector was pretty good... and I liked his coaching style in Remember the Titans. But no, Glory exceeds all of those roles. Anyway, this movie surprised me with it's cleverness, and daring dialogue. You THINK that it's going to be some movie about a bank robbery. Woop dee doo we've made about fifty thousand of those. But it's NOT! There's a twist or two, and you actually CARE about the hostages! It's quick, and you never really have a boring moment in this movie, they kept coming up with new things to add to the plot. Very good.

Acting. Ok, look I'm a HUGE fan of Clive Owen. King Arthur was a silly movie I know but guess what, I own it and watch it on several occasions. And if you're as much of a Clive fan than I am, you'd be doing the same thing. (come on... he's King ARTHUR! ...British accent...big hunken sword swinging around... all the lovely armor... work with me here you ladies know what i'm talking about!) HOWEVER, as much as I love that man I don't think that he did anything special here. I'm not saying he was bad! He most surely was not, but no versitility here. This role suited him too. He was strong and tough, quite intelligent and full of heart.

Denzel was good in this movie as well. Same thing with Clive in that this role really suited him. Witty and streetsmart. He was so convincing. It's like he's been a cop already in his life. Nicely done.

Oh, and Jodie Foster is still looking very good. Sometimes she bothers me, but she carried herself with grace and dignity in this movie, much like her character. You go girl!

The production of this film was also completed very well. I loved the camera style and everything. It had the camcorder effect in a lot of places and really added to the atmosphere of Inside Man. The music was nicely placed and not overdone. A little techno here and a little rock there. Again, really set the setting. And like I said before, the plot kept getting added to. This movie is not just about some bank robbery. It's about character, moral and wit. It was classy. Not some brainless, "oh look he has a gun" action flick. It even has some mystery! You're taken back and forth a little bit. It seemed a little confusing at first but this flick was very organized about it. And it wrapped up with a tidy ending, bringing all of the chaos and questions together. And the achievement with THAT was the it ALL FIT! It all made sense and I would love to watch it again to see all those things I might've missed. Anyone want to watch it with me? heehee Well, YOU watch it, and let me know how you enjoyed it. That's right, I'm confident that you will enjoy this one, really. It's got substance, very quality work here.



Rating: 4/5