'THE NEXT THREE DAYS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Two time Academy Award winner Paul Haggis (Best screenplay winner for 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY' in 2004 and 'CRASH', one of my all time favorite films, in 2005) writes and directs this prison break film starring Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. It's a remake of the 2008 french film 'ANYTHING FOR HER' starring Vincent London and Diane Kruger. The film is very dark, depressing and gritty at times but it's also pretty implausible and cheesy at times as well. It kind of switches gears between dark drama and action thrill ride multiple times. A lot of critics are saying it doesn't live up to the standard Haggis has set for himself; the man also co-wrote 'LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA' and 'FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS' as well as wrote and directed 'IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH' and directed 'CRASH'. He's also the only screenwriter in history to write two back to back Oscar best film winners ('CRASH' and 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY') but he also co-wrote the Bond films 'CASINO ROYALE' and 'QUANTUM OF SOLACE', so he's known for doing brainless action as well. I found the film to be pretty entertaining but if you go into it looking for something like 'CRASH' or 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY' you're going to be disappointed (Although personally I'm not the biggest fan of 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY').
The film tells the story of a woman named Lara Brennan (Banks) who is accused of murder and sentenced to twenty years in prison. Crowe plays her teacher husband, John Brennan, who knows in his heart she is innocent besides a substantial amount of circumstantial evidence indicating otherwise. After appeals fail and all legal measures are exhausted John decides he's going to break his wife out of prison. He seeks the advice of an ex-con (played by Liam Neeson) who has escaped from prison seven times and embarks on a dangerous mission to raise a great deal of money and everything else he needs for the perfect prison break and life abroad after. By doing so he puts not only himself at risk but his young son Luke (Ty Simpkins) and the whole time it's unclear to the viewer whether his wife is in fact innocent.
Russell Crowe is one of Hollywood's finest actors (his chameleon like abilities to transform himself from one role to another is hard to match) and his performance in this film lives up to his standards, not one of his best but not disappointing either. Banks continues to prove herself as an effective and adequate leading lady and the rest of the cast does a decent enough job as well (Neeson, like always, shines in his cameo). The story is intriguing and involving and despite the movie's flaws it works. While it's not nearly one of Haggis's most impressive writing jobs his directing is impressive; the action packed third act is breathtaking. Obviously this will not be an award contender in any way come awards time but it is an entertaining thrill ride.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=003J1CrnYDk
Two time Academy Award winner Paul Haggis (Best screenplay winner for 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY' in 2004 and 'CRASH', one of my all time favorite films, in 2005) writes and directs this prison break film starring Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. It's a remake of the 2008 french film 'ANYTHING FOR HER' starring Vincent London and Diane Kruger. The film is very dark, depressing and gritty at times but it's also pretty implausible and cheesy at times as well. It kind of switches gears between dark drama and action thrill ride multiple times. A lot of critics are saying it doesn't live up to the standard Haggis has set for himself; the man also co-wrote 'LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA' and 'FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS' as well as wrote and directed 'IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH' and directed 'CRASH'. He's also the only screenwriter in history to write two back to back Oscar best film winners ('CRASH' and 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY') but he also co-wrote the Bond films 'CASINO ROYALE' and 'QUANTUM OF SOLACE', so he's known for doing brainless action as well. I found the film to be pretty entertaining but if you go into it looking for something like 'CRASH' or 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY' you're going to be disappointed (Although personally I'm not the biggest fan of 'MILLION DOLLAR BABY').
The film tells the story of a woman named Lara Brennan (Banks) who is accused of murder and sentenced to twenty years in prison. Crowe plays her teacher husband, John Brennan, who knows in his heart she is innocent besides a substantial amount of circumstantial evidence indicating otherwise. After appeals fail and all legal measures are exhausted John decides he's going to break his wife out of prison. He seeks the advice of an ex-con (played by Liam Neeson) who has escaped from prison seven times and embarks on a dangerous mission to raise a great deal of money and everything else he needs for the perfect prison break and life abroad after. By doing so he puts not only himself at risk but his young son Luke (Ty Simpkins) and the whole time it's unclear to the viewer whether his wife is in fact innocent.
Russell Crowe is one of Hollywood's finest actors (his chameleon like abilities to transform himself from one role to another is hard to match) and his performance in this film lives up to his standards, not one of his best but not disappointing either. Banks continues to prove herself as an effective and adequate leading lady and the rest of the cast does a decent enough job as well (Neeson, like always, shines in his cameo). The story is intriguing and involving and despite the movie's flaws it works. While it's not nearly one of Haggis's most impressive writing jobs his directing is impressive; the action packed third act is breathtaking. Obviously this will not be an award contender in any way come awards time but it is an entertaining thrill ride.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=003J1CrnYDk