Armored (2009)
A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on the ultimate heist against their own company. Armed with a seemingly fool-proof plan, the men plan on making off with a fortune with harm to none. But when an unexpected witness interferes, the plan quickly unravels and all bets are off.
At the movies
Armored (PG) * * *
Heist!
By ROBERT WALDMAN
Today jobs are important. Hard economic times bring out the best of people. A new employee learns it’s not that easy gaining acceptance in Amored, a routine though entertaining actioner from Columbia Pictures now hauling in the loot at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking), The Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.
Some circles claim whenever a studio fails to screen a movie for critics it’s a sign of bad things to come. Or else a studio feels they have a bonafide hit and don’t need additional comments from the media, as was the case with the latest Twilight movie. On occasion, however, a studio can misjudge not only the critic’s take on an opening but also the public’s perception with Armored likely falling into the latter category.
New employee faces Major Pressures at new Job
Down and out Ty Hackett, played by Columbus Short, is a man in a bind. Saddled with raising his young brother Ty is in an economic slump. Being muscular and a quick learner this strapping young man gets a break when he’s given work at a local armored car service. Little does he know that this new job would create considerable pressure the likes of which most of us could never handle.
Mention armored car and you automatically think money. Out in the “real” world there are always opportunists willing to make a fast buck and not afraid of going “outside” the law. With $42 million dollars at stake temptation can easily come into play for a group of otherwise middle class blue collar employees and this is exactly what Ty falls into.
Action and Violence follow mega Cash Heist
Unable to resist the prospect of becoming rich Ty reluctantly signs on to a robbery spearheaded by the mercurial Mike Cochrone. Versatile Matt Dillon (There’s Something About Mary) leads the pack as Mike, a no-nonsense family man that takes a shining to Ty and his plight. Economic circumstances can make good people to bad things and director Nimrod Antal (Vacancy) takes us on a pretty wile ride for 88 minutes of teresterone pumping action.
Consider Armored to be your typical macho man movie with a string of supporting actors doing their best with the heavy handed heroics that come at you at a fairly constant weight. Major talents like Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix) and Jean Reno (Couples Retreat) do their parts to make this plan work while Fred Ward’s (Remo Williams) dispatcher works seems oblivious to the entire criminal activity.
Take Armored with a big grain of salt. Certain scenes you can see coming at you a mile away so there’s definitely a predictability factor to the movie. Crank up the violence and you’re momentarily jolted and there’s also some good character development as some conscience wrestling comes into play.
Tension does develop between the characters but the film lacks any true sense of danger and efforts at uncovering the hijacking seem rather muted. Still, from an action standpoint, Dillon does play his character well and Columbus Short is impressive as a man not sure which way to turn when all that potential money may be his for his cooperation. What works best in Armored is the depth of the family relationships that are well developed. Less impressive, however, is the actual heist which we’ve seen done often before and not much new is served up here. My it’s funny how prospective wealth can lure you in.
Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com
