Reviews by Matt

INSIDE MAN

The basic story behind Inside Man is this, Dalton Russell (Clive Owen),and his associates rob a bank and takes hostages. He deals with Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington.) There are many twists and turns along the way that lead to the final twist at the end of the movie. Even with all the change up, false leads and things never being what they seem to be, the story still flows and unfolds in a coherent manner that keeps the viewer intrigued.

The film, directed by Spike Lee, is a departure from his other films. This crime caper is about, as Dalton describes it “the perfect robbery.” There are many shots in the film that look like something Lee would shoot; it doesn’t feel like a “Spike Lee Joint.” There is no deep meaning, or statement being made with this movie, it is, plain and simple a great popcorn flick. The audience doesn’t have to get too involved with alterative motives and characters; one can just be swept away by the story and attempting to figure out where it is going.

The acting is great; all involved did a great job. One performance that stood out was Jodie Foster, who played Madeline White. I’m still not sure what her job was, all I can understand is that she uses her connections to get people with bad connections things. (go see the movie and you’ll find out what that means.) She plays a real mean, and despicable person, her only motive is to keep those she is representing out of trouble and will bribe anyone she can to keep it that way.

Denzel Washington does a fantastic job, as usual, playing to cop trying to figure out what the bank robbers want and ultimately, the real story behind the robbery. There is really not much to be said that hasn’t been said about the acting ability of Denzel Washington, he has been nominated for a few and one an Oscar for his performances.

One actor that is just starting to make it big, is Chiwetel Ejiofor, (pronounced Chew-eh-tel Edge-if-or.) His latest roles are The Operative in Serenity, and a cross dressing man in the recently released Kinky Boots. His role in this film is Detective Bill Mitchell. He is Detective Frazier’s partner. He helps Frazier interrogate the suspects and question other people of interest. Ejiofor is a great actor and it looks like he may have a long career ahead of him.

Incase you need any more convincing I will leave you with Dalton’s opeaning lines. “My name is Dalton Russell, pay strict attention to what I say because I choose my words carefully and never repeat myself. I told you my name, that's the who. The where can most readily be described as a prison cell. But there is a vast difference from being stuck in a tiny cell and being in prison. The What is easy, recently I planned and set in motion a manse to execute the perfect bank robbery, that's also the When. As for the why, beyond the obvious financial motivation, it's exceedingly simple...because I can. Which leaves us only with the How, and therein, as the bard tells us, lies the rub.”

9 out of 10

Rated R for language and some violent images.