Film: Takers (2010)
Having seen too many movies to count, and having a brain that actually stores, and processes information, isn't always the best thing, when it comes to watching movies. If you know the formula, you can see all the pieces coming from a mile away. Though instead of just going with the movie, you find yourself actively picking at the holes, while the feature is still running it's course. The majority of my experience with "Takers" was much like that. I starred in awe as the crew responsible, took from any, and every crime/drama in the last 25 years, as well as turning the cliche level up to 11. Case in point, if you are an experienced Heist Crew who spouts line's like "we always wait a year between jobs....", you wouldn't expect anyone to change their tune, literally less than 5 minutes later. There is the adrenaline rush, there is the greed, then there is just pain stupidity. Another sign that the film you are watching isn't to the highest degree possible? You get bored during a shootout. With people brandishing such large weaponry, you'd expect to hear a cacophony of noise, bullets, cracked walls, body tears. Nowhere are you expecting a swelling pseudo-symphony, only broken up by the "Takers" standing in a room, confused, then surprised by the hail of gunfire. That is correct, the intrepid band of "Heroes" stand for a moment in a room to gather themselves, then are confused by the reminder, that the reason they are in the movie in the first place, is due to that fact that they are in a gun fight.
One could argue that "Takers" may have been more successful or found a better footing had it been a film made in the 80's, and by my own admission, I will state that it would have been infinitely better or far more laughable. As it stands now, it's more than disappointing and confusing, rather that horrendous, or unwatchable. This is in due partially to the casting, which include 2 musicians. Films are all about an audiences "willful suspension of disbelief"....but i can only try so hard to believe that Chris Brown's character is a master of Parkour. Just as much as I can believe that rapper T.I.'s character is worthy of his moniker "Ghost". For that matter most of the crew, their backgrounds, back-stories or personality (with the exception of Idris Elba's Gordon), are attributed to one line, or their fashion sense. Boiled down even further, after the first of the films 2 heists, the main crew walk in slow motion to each of their vehicles, of varying sizes. colors, makes. To further matters more, the film wants to pull a "Heat" by including 2 LAPD officers, in the form of Matt Dillon and Jay Hernandez. That film is also called to mind by this film's inclusion of their very own Waingro, the name forever associated to the loose cannon, added to a well-seasoned crew at the last minute, who exists to take everyone down, with their delusions of grandeur, and ability to annoy everyone, including the audience.
It's hard to discern who exactly "Takers" is for. It tries to feel cool, but at the same time, is littered with an air of not caring. It has two heists, one that is decidedly by the numbers, and the second of which is partially narrated by Ghost, apparently for the blind in the audience. The action is edited within an inch of it's life, presumably due to the fact that the movie is a PG-13 affair. None of it gels. We're led to believe that this crew is well organized, running together for at least 6 years, but there is no sense that any of them care what they are doing.
In the end "Takers" is just doing that job that many have done before, but with less finesse, or charisma, than that of its predecessors.
** out of *****
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