Rating: Summary: Great little road movie Review: I don't really know quite what I was expecting when I sat down to watch 'Bandits', but what I saw certainly wasn't what I had expected. Rather than follow the straight story of two bankrobbers (Willis and Thornton) who both fall in love with the same woman hostage (Blanchett), this actually follows a much funnier farce that thankfully never takes itself seriously. This is made abundant right from the opening scene where the anti-heroes break out of prison in a cement truck. Quickly they establish themselves as the 'sleepover' bandits, who take the bank manager hostage the night before the robbery then get their cash before the bank's even open. However, things get complicated when they take on Blanchett, who clearly relishes her role as glamorous hostage a great deal more than singing 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' in her kitchen waiting for her boring husband to return.The best choice this movie ever made was in its at times hilarious characterisation. Willis plays the strong guy who's really a big softie at heart, Thornton is wonderfully neurotic and constantly paranoid, whereas Blanchett excels again in a ditzy role that's about as far removed from her epic performance in 'Elizabeth' as you can get and there's a great character in the getaway man, who's determined to make it big as a stuntman. If there's never really anything new here then you soon forget the movie's shortcomings for its sheer enjoyment factor. In particular, a convuluted yet immensely enjoyable final act may be silly but you'll love every minute of it.
Rating: Summary: Bore, Boring, and Bored. Review: Terrible movie. Failed to finish it. What a lousy movie with lousy acting and script. Two famous guys just wanted to cash in easily. Forget about it. This movie really stinks!
Rating: Summary: LEVINSON STEALS YOUR HEART Review: Director Barry Levinson really delivers with this gem of a film. It is a buddy-picture, a chick flick, an action film, a drama, and a comedy. Cate Blanchett really dominated the film. Her talent is phenomenal. She belongs in a list of the top ten of actresses working today. Her role in " BANDITS " left you breathless. One could see how both male characters would fall in love with her. The movie had that "ODD COUPLE" sense to it, with Willis playing the hot-headed slob, and Billy Bob playing the neat-freak intellectual hypochondriac. Thornton found the sweetness within the fussiness, and Willis had less of a stretch for his role of macho-felon. Willis took the back seat to both of his co-stars; something he seems to be very generous about. He gives one the impression that he would be fun to work with. The plot is intricate and fresh, and there is plenty to laugh at. It was nice to see some of the Oregon locations, although there scenes in Tonapah, Nevada were shot elsewhere. This film will please all comers.
Rating: Summary: 1 star too many Review: this movie stinks. im doing it a real favour by giving it one star. there is nothing good i think to say. If these actors werent stars they would never make another movie after this, as it is its one of those star movies where they obviously enjoy winking to camera and putting on wigs, but they should keep these home videos to themselves.
Rating: Summary: Smart, Funny Action Drama -- With A Great Ending Review: Satisfying, different film that will have you on the edge of your seat for one reason or another throughout -- and that rare thing, a solid and pretty unpredictable ending that actually makes sense. Great film. Not a classic, but really a very, very good film. Holds up well to more than one viewing, too.
Rating: Summary: BORING.... Review: I really looked foward to seeing this film, and I was bitterly disappointed. The entire plot was ludicrous and silly. Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis play 2 escaped convicts who renew their criminal careers following a prison break. Kate Blancett stars as the bored/dingy housewife who decides to join them as a gangster's moll. Why do films stars such as Willis and Billy Bob insist on protraying themselves as credible criminals when it is perfectly obvious that they hardly belong on the top end of the totem pole of crime? They just looked ridiculous, and Kate Blanchett was annoying. The film degenerated from silly to absurd when Blanchett's character intruded into the "gang" and wormed her way in. To me, this film was just another Hollywood ego trip in which we, the audience, are supposed to find criminals amusing, good-hearted, and admirable.
Rating: Summary: Great show Review: Bandits is a pretty darn good movie. With a really interesting and simple plot. The story is about the 'Sleepover' Bandits who would kidnap the bank manager the night before and rob the bank early in the morning. Great on-screen chemistry and a fairly good plot make the movie. Bruce Willis does a great job playing Joe, the masculine, hot-tempered braun of the operation. Billy Bob Thornton does a great job playing Terry, a hypochondriac/paranoid schizophrenic. Cate Blancett is marvelous as Kate a bored and neglected house wife. These three begin an interesting and complicated love triangle. Kate love both boys, and each boy needs the other for their 'occupation'. Strong comic scenes intertwined with the occasional action and drama scenes this movie has it all. The DVD gives nothing new really. Not many deleted scenes and an okay commentary. Of course most buy the DVD for the better quality and durability. Buy the movie. If you can't buy the DVD the VHS version will give you the best part...and that's the movie itself.
Rating: Summary: Thought it was an action movie..... Review:
and was pleasantly surprised by this quirky, entertaining action-comedy. For me, these are the roles that Bruce Willis should stick to -- straight faced comedic; his performance is enhanced by the easy camaraderie with sidekick Terry, played by Billy Bob Thornton. Joe & Terry break out of prison and become the successful "Sleepover Bandits" (loosely based on a real-life situation) who take down a number of banks in sunny California with style, grace, and little to no bloodshed. Charming criminals! Rich woman Kate (Cate Blanchett), a bored, somewhat wacky & wealthy woman gets involved in one of their escapes, and joins them in their chosen career. While Bruce successfully plays Bruce, Billy Bob is outrageous and outstanding as a neurotic hypochondriac...and is true to the role in mannerisms, dress and speech. He's hilarious and memorable. Both Terry & Joe, of course, create conflict by falling for Kate, and she switches personalities easily to fit what each of them wants. I'm a Cate Blanchett fan, but she's a little too regal for this role...the filmmakers needed someone ditzy that you would not expect either guy to fall for...a Renee Zellwegger type. You've gotta love odd comedy (kind of like the movie "Tremors") to really appreciate the film, but, if you do, you will find it very entertaining -- the DVD has great extras, especially the edited scenes and a hilarious alternate ending. You'll also love the scenes of a captured Joe & Terry reminiscing about how it all came about.... Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: "The worst comedy I've ever seen" Review: Bandits, to simply put it, is a boring unfunny movie with an Ok cast. The ending is incredibly stupid and the whole concept of the film (robbing a bank) is not in every scene (the love triangle between Bruce Willis, Cate Blanchett, and Billy Bob Thornton) I though it was ridiculous, dreadful, and with not one laugh in the whole movie. Do not buy it. Do not even rent it!
Rating: Summary: Hugely entertaining & witty Review: I had almost no idea what to expect from "Bandits," and I came away from it having laughed out loud so many times I lost count. Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett and Troy Garity run away with the show; remarkably, Bruce Willis is the least interesting actor on the the screen. "Bandits" is a character-driven film that has a great plot, good tension, and a satisfying ending. The characters reach out and engage the viewers, making us genuinely care for them and their neuroses. While not a cerebral film per se, neither is it complete fluff comedy; the interpersonal relationships are multi-layered, the dialogue is witty and often subtle, and there are many things to be picked up in subsequent viewings. Likewise, the bonus materials are great - the behind-the-scenes bits are particularly enjoyable. I unreservedly recommend this film to anyone who likes character-driven storylines. Highly entertaining!
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