The Bank Job Review

Based on a true story, The Bank Job was not only full of action and suspense, but it also had some humor and a very interesting storyline.  Perhaps the fact that it is based on a true story was what made it so intriguing.  We rented The Bank Job without knowing much about it.  All we knew was Jason Statham starred and that it was obviously a crime/bank heist movie.

British
My husband was stoked when we started watching and found out this was based in London.  Two of his favorite Jason Statham films (Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrells) are also based in London, or at least they are British films.  While we do like Statham in all the films of his that we've seen, those are two of the best!  For those of you who have never seen an British based film, now is a great time to check one out.

The Basic Plot
Statham's character is a thief, but not in the big leagues.  He just has done some minor things and screwed up life a bit for him and his family.  So when a friend approaches him about a Bank Job, he accepts the offer.  They plan to rob a bank containing tons of safe deposit boxes owned by many prominent people.  The idea is that no one will report what was stolen from their boxes because the items people store in these are usually embarrassing or highly confidential.

Statham thinks his friend is just in it for money, but he doesn't know that she is looking to open just one specific box.  And what she doesn't know is that there is much more to this one box then she was even told.  None of them have a clue what they are getting themselves into.  Trouble is sure to ensue!

My Thoughts
Obviously I've made it clear that we like Jason Statham, although he didn't have nearly as many great fighting/chase scenes as he has had in movies such as Crank and The Transporter.  Instead, this is more of a Ocean's Eleven type flick - minus the humor.  It is more of a movie about the plan to rob the bank, and dealing with the problems that arise along the way, and less about chase scenes and fighting.  Don't worry though, Statham will kick some butt at least once!  Even though it's not a comedy, Statham does throw in some of his humor here and there to keep it interesting.  I don't recognize any of the other names in the film but they definitely cast it well enough to keep me entertained.

Based in the 70s, I kept forgetting that they didn't really have to worry about security cameras and cell phones!  Everything was very true to the times including the costumes, the scenery, and the way the actors were.  It seemed out of this world that they could get away with some of these things, until I remembered that this is the 70s. 

Overall this was a good story, a good plot, and it left me wanting to know how they would get past the next issue.  It's not action packed, but it's still very exciting just because of all the things going on and all the storylines that start to get involved.  You become intrigued by the secrets that start to come to light just as much as you are intrigued by the actual bank heist.  There was some blood, but not a whole lot really.  However it is still an adult movie due to the swearing and the fact that they felt the need to keep showing topless chicks! 

This true story was kept secret for 30+ years, so I think it's time that YOU get in on the secret!  Enjoy!!