Rating: Summary: Good Start, should have been better Review: I thought I was going to love this movie after the first 30 minutes. The plot was moving, it was well filmed with fun and interesting characters. Initially, Cate Blanchett's character seemed fun and exciting, but you get tired of her VERY quickly. Eventually, she and Billy Bob's character get a little old and by the end the climax seems a bit underwhelming. Bruce Willis is quite good in this. With a good start, it should have been better. The film really loses energy.
Rating: Summary: Bandits will steal your heart... Review: The two main characters are the spontaneous Joe Blake (Bruce Willis) and the calculating Terry Collins (Billy Bob Thornton). Together these two newly escaped convicts are quick to resume their old profession, bank robbing. This time though, they have twisted their plans to make bank robbing a lot safer. However, fate brings their only obstacle, a young woman who is living in an ill-fated relationship and only remembers the good old times before marriage. Bandits will give the audience a generous and refreshing experience even if the story seems a bit old fashion.
Rating: Summary: LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER... Review: This is an entertaining and quirky action comedy with a dark side in which two convicts, the cooly impulsive Joe (Bruce Willis) and the neurotic, hypochondiacal Terry (Billy Bob Thornton), break out of prison. Needing money to make their getaway complete, they return to doing that which they know best, bank robbing, while dreaming of getting enough money to open a nightclub in Mexico. Along the way, they pick up Harvey (Troy Garrity), a would be stuntman and Joe's relative, as their getway driver. Together, they rob banks without physically harming their victims and have devised a creative way of going about the bank robberies that causes them to be dubbed the "Sleepover Bandits" by the media. During their successful crime spree, they separate at one point. One of them ends up comandeering the car that Kate (Cate Blanchett), a bored and neglected housewife, is in, driving off with her to their rendevous point. Kate takes to this like a duck takes to water. Before you know it, she is hot and heavy with Joe. Then she is left for a time with Terry, and, before you know it, she is hot and heavy with Terry. An unusual love triangle is born. Kate also joins them in their quest for cash, as a willing participant. Just when it seems that the end is near, however, and all is lost, a twist in the turn the film takes, will take the viewer by surprise. Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton are excellent in their respective roles. Willis is the epitome of cool under fire and totally laidback, while Thornton is wired up and almost in Rainman mode. Cate Blanchett does her best with her role, giving it her all. While her American accent is good, however, she seems a bit like a fish out of water. She is simply not ditzy enough for the role, as too much of her innate intelligence shines through. This is not her fault. She is simply miscast in the role. Patricia Arquette or someone like her without Ms. Blanchett's sharp edges would have been a much better choice. The film, while funny and entertaining, flags a bit in the final analysis, failing to be all that it could be. The DVD is excellent, offering crystal clear visuals and audio. It offers a number of interesting features, including a funny, off the wall, alternate ending, as well as deleted scenes, and a featurette on the making of "Bandits". It can be viewed in standard and widescreen formats. --This text refers to the VHS Tape edition
Rating: Summary: Solidly entertaining Review: Bandits is a goofy, yet solidly entertaining film. Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton brilliantly play off each other, making the humor in the film seem, for the most part, believable. The movie, however, does slow down and lose some of its charm when Kate Blanchett enters the picture. While her character is at first interesting, the love triangle that develops between her and our intrepid bandits seems hollow and forced. I definitely recommend this as a rental if you're not sure what to expect.
Rating: Summary: What Could Have Been Review: It started out very promising, then the housewife came into the picture and you wonder why she just didn't get a divorce, and kind of spoiled the picture, not a lot, but it just wasn't plausible. This is the first movie I've seen with Cate Blanchett and Billy Bob Thornton, and though they're both good actors here, Thornton's character just grew thoroughly annoying, and Blanchett's character lacked energy to make it a true trio of bandits. In contrast, Willis, who seems to be getting better as an actor with age, provides the film with wit and action to make this movie a little more interesting. Nonetheless, I can only rate this film 6 out of 10 because the "Sleepover Bandits" could have been more than it was.
Rating: Summary: VERY GOOD MOVIE...THIS MOVIE ROCKS Review: This movie was great. Whoever thinks this movie is bad has a bad taste in movies. This movie has got action,comedy,drama and a whole lot more. One of the best movies of 2001. I added this hit to my collection,I hope you do the same. I give this movie 2 very big thumbs up.
Rating: Summary: Lame Review: First step check out Barry Levinsons other films, and youll see where your heading with this. Essentially this is rainman with a pair of cons, Thornton plays Dustin Hoffmans part almsot exactly, trying a bit too hard in fact. This is a film which is pure 80s, there is no action, and little of anything, in fact imagine rain man all over again. A few comedy wigs do not make a movie, Bruce Willis appears to be on autopilot. If your into Barry Levinsons other movies this is probably your sort of thing, but ill take a real film over star vehicle anyday. Terrible.
Rating: Summary: An excellent movie! Review: This was a really great movie. I loved all three of the lead actors in it, especially Cate Blanchett, who was just perfect as the center of Joe and Terry's tirades. It's funny, very eccentric, and just a great movie to watch. I high recommend it!
Rating: Summary: Lots of light fun. Review: I'm not a fan of Bruce Willis or Billy Bob Thornton but this movie was a lot of fun to watch. The two actors have fabulous chemistry and while the beginning of the film moves a little slower than you might like, as soon as Cate Blanchett jumps in, the movie kicks off to a nice amusing beat. Definitely a feel-good movie with a lot of clever and nuanced human behaviour that will make you laugh. A good treat and an interesting ending!
Rating: Summary: Zany & Offbeat Review: I laughed so hard & enjoyed this movie so much, that I'm really surprised by some of the negative reviews. The DVD bonus material is really interesting in hearing the behind-the-scenes research that went into the film. Finding out that this is based on a true story, that there really were sleep-over bandits, that someone really did rob a bank with a magic marker, and hearing how director Levinson let these very talented actors loose to improvise and keep the best moments intrigued me. Troy Garity who plays Harvey, the wheel man stunt man who steals the scenes with his charming stupidity, is Jane Fonda's son. So if you watch the film and enjoy it, be sure to check out the bonus materials on the DVD version. To see the alternate ending with Cate Blanchette pregnant is a hoot. I enjoyed this movie for its wit, was startled by its plot twists, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. For me, it's one not only to rent but to add to the rainy day DVD collection.
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