Takers (2010)

Takers (2010). I've had this movie too long to justify the cost of my BB Total Access Plan. I blame school. I've had a lot of reading, studying and homework to do and it's cutting into MY play time.

Anyway, just like any movie about heists and criminal schemes, this movie was pretty predictable. It was pretty good action, acting and all but it's just been done many times before. See movies like The Italian Job, The Score, and just about any Steven Seagal movie. The plot is simple: a group plans a heist, someone in the group is disgruntled and plans to screw over the others in the group, some people get hurt and/or die, the remaining group members get their revenge and live "happily ever after." Or as happy as you can be with a million or more bucks.

Unfortunately, there were a lot of scenes in this movie where I found myself saying out loud, "Bullshit!" Yes, yes, I know it's a movie but I do believe that you must maintain some semblance and "reality" to keep people's attentions if it's a reality-type movie and not some CGI or fantasy movie.

There are probably spoilers ahead in no particular order:

• Jesse (Chris Brown) is running from Jack and Eddie (Matt Dillon and Jay Hernandez) through the subway, buildings, streets and parks. He's flying like one of those free runner guys...leaping over walls, fences, and vehicles. There is absolulely NO POSSIBLE WAY that Jack and Eddie would be able to keep up with him. Just not having it!
• The entire time the whole team, especially leader Gordon (Idris Elba), is careful to pay attention to Ghost's (T.I.) behavior and intentions. After the heist, they let their guard way down before being totally sure they made their getaway with the money. It leads to troubles. I don't believe a master planner would be so quick to lower his guard.
• Jack Welles is too smart to be a detective. He has all the answers to the many mysteries of finding out who the robbers are and shit. It's annoying for them to write a part like this. It reminds me of how annoying and unbelievable Det. Goren (Vincent D'Onofrio) was in Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
• They wrote Jack Welles as the cop that is too invested in his job...like every other detective movie. He has his daughter with him and he avoids being a father to her on his "off" day. Too typical and already done way too many times.
• I can't believe they killed off so many of the group. First, A.J. (Hayden Christensen in a part he did quite well in) get's killed in the backstabbing shoot-out in the hotel room after the heist. Jesse and Jake are tracked down (which isn't explained on 'how') to their house and have a shoot out with many policemen. Their survival or death not clear afterwards. John (Paul Walker) and Gordon are confronted by Ghost and Jack at the airport. Ghost is killed. Jack wounded. Gordon wounded and John are seen leaving to who-knows-where with a bajillion dollars.

Okay, so I've probably overanalyzed the movie. I'm not saying it was bad. I'm just saying it has already been done, better, previously.

In the end, it's a good watch if someone you know has it available to watch. Otherwise, you can wait to instantly watch it on Netflix when it becomes available.