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Review by: Jack Foley | Rating:
Two
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: N/A
HAVING hung up his Walter PPK and relinquished his licence to
kill, former James Bond, Pierce Brosnan, returns to another genre
that has served him well in recent years for this entertaining
heist caper set in The Bahamas.
Brosnan stars as successful jewel thief, Max Burdett, who has
retired to a sun-drenched isle with his beautiful partner, Lola
(Salma Hayek), intent on enjoying the spoils of his ill-gotten
gains.
Hot on his trail, however, is Woody Harrelson's FBI agent, Stan,
who remains convinced that Max is plotting one last job - especially
since a luxury ocean-liner has docked nearby, complete with the
last in a collection of priceless jewels on-board.
With so much temptation in his path, it's not long before Max
is contemplating the unthinkable, particularly as the island's
resident crime boss, Kingpin (Don Cheadle), also wants him to
do it.
The ensuing crime caper, directed by Brett (Rush Hour) Ratner,
finds Max trying to outwit his long-time FBI nemesis, while also
trying to convince Lola that he has, in fact, retired to spend
the rest of his life with her.
And, for the most part, it's a slick and enjoyable affair that
gets by on the charisma of its stars alone, despite the over-familiarity
of its 'one last job' scenario.
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Brosnan exudes charisma, both in
his dealings with Harrelson's dogged agent, and Hayek's ultra-sexy
partner-in-crime, making his character easy to root for and difficult
to resist.
The chemistry between the two male leads, in particular, is very
strong, providing plenty for viewers to smile about as each attempts
to get the better of the other.
A moment in which they end up in the same bed together is one
of many highlights in a relationship that goes some way to covering
up some of the movie's weaker plot-points.
Yet Ratner, for his part, seems content to let the heist play
second fiddle to the characters on show, clearly relying on the
interplay between them to make the film more rewarding.
Not that the criminal element isn't fun, merely predictable,
and not in the same league as Brosnan's other, more memorable
heist outing, The Thomas Crown Affair (a sequel to which is being
penned).
What's more, by wearing its references so blatantly on its sleeve
- To Catch A Thief, for example - the film becomes a little too
prone to other comparisons.
Anyone seeking some Friday night, popcorn-style fun, however,
is sure to have a blast, especially since the film is well-packaged
to include plenty of sexually-charged tomfoolery, the alluring
sight of Salma Hayek in an array of bikinis (or Brosnan and Harrelson
shirtless), and enough twists and turns to keep the less discerning
viewer guessing.
It should also go some way to ensuring that there is plenty of
life after Bond for Brosnan.
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