![]() It’s stunningly incompetent.Īnd the script isn’t any better. The incredibly small number of actual action scenes are incompetently conceived and executed-the climax of the film is a dull chase across a desert wherein the predator and prey almost never share a frame, just shots of people screaming in cars as sand flies around them. ![]() Harlin used to be an incredibly reliable action director, helming hits like “ Die Hard 2: Die Harder,” “ Cliffhanger,” and “ Deep Blue Sea,” but “The Misfits” shows none of that skill. There’s another carrot on the stick for Pace in the form of Warner Schultz ( Tim Roth), the Moriarty to Pace’s Sherlock, and the guy who happens to run the prison that houses all that terrorism-funding gold. They also include someone named Prince ( Rami Jaber), no relation to the mega-talented musician, and Wick ( Mike Angelo), but the real reason Pace gets involved is that the newest Misfit happens to be his daughter Hope ( Hermione Corfield). The Misfits are led by Ringo ( Nick Cannon), a bank robber, and Violet ( Jamie Chung), a martial arts expert who loves kicking ass. You see, the gold is used to fund terrorism, so they’re trying to cut off the cashflow of evil and send the profits to international charities. They want Pace to help them steal millions of gold bars that are reportedly being held under a maximum-security prison, but they’re not in it for the money. That’s when he’s approached by The Misfits, a group of criminals who consider themselves modern day Robin Hoods. It’s a bit like going out for dinner at a well-known chain of British pubs – the most anyone could hope for is something light and entertaining, and that’s what Tower Heist is.Pierce Brosnan is the guy trying to have a good time at the worst party he’s ever been to as he plays Richard Pace, a world-renowned criminal still pulling some small jobs but who seems to be past his thieving prime. Nevertheless, it’ll provide a pleasant evening’s entertainment, even if you’ll have forgotten most of it before you’ve even emerged from the theatre. This is largely due to the presence of the great Dante Spinotti, whose cinematography here is, as ever, perfectly framed.Īt around 104 minutes, Tower Heist is slightly too long, and its build-up is far funnier and better handled than its eventual pay-off. Tower Heist looks pretty good, too, for a broad comedy. ![]() Casey Affleck’s really good in a comedic role, displaying great timing and delivery in some of the film’s funniest exchanges. In places, though, the film really springs to life – there’s some great chemistry between Stiller and his conspirators, and Téa Leoni is great at pretending she’s inebriated. The numerous changes and rewrites may explain the uneven quality of the story and script – writers Ted Griffin, Jeff Nathanson, Bill Collage and Adam Cooper are all credited, while Noah Baumbach was reportedly hired to write additional dialogue for Ben Stiller’s character.Īt times, Tower Heist appear to be going for the kind of edgy, off-colour banter exemplified by something like In Bruges, which sometimes falls wide of the mark. Tower Heist originally began life as a vehicle for Murphy and comedians Chris Tucker, Tracy Morgan and Kevin Hart, before gradually being reworked into the more topical comedy caper it now is. Murphy, Affleck, Broderick all share more-or-less equal screen time, though Téa Leoni, who plays Claire, a Clarice Starling-like FBI agent, is sorely underused. While the presence of Murphy, who’s in full-on Reggie-out-of- 48-Hrs shouting mode, may make some viewers nervous, Tower Heist is very much an ensemble piece. They’re joined by Enrique, a bellhop played by Michael Peña, and a safe-cracking expert called Odessa, played by Precious star Gabourey Sidibe. His accomplices include Casey Affleck’s slow-witted Charlie, Matthew Broderick’s nervy and bankrupt Fitzhugh, and Eddie Murphy as petty criminal, Slide. Having seen first-hand the misery Arthur’s activities have caused, Josh assembles a team to get even, Robin Hood-style. ![]() Ben Stiller plays Josh Kovacs, a mild-mannered manager who heads up the operation. ![]()
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