“The Bank Job” stars Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Stephen Cambell Moore, David Suchet and Keeley Haws. It’s directed by Roger Donaldson (The Getaway, Dante’s Peak) and written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.

Based on a true story about the one of the most notorious bank robberies ever. This 1971 bank robbery resulted in cash and jewelry from safety deposit boxes that was worth over three million dollars. The infamous robbery took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone, London. The robbers use the popular tunneling plan to get into the bank vault and attempt to escape with the money and jewelry.

Heist movies are almost always entertaining because you find yourself rooting for the robbers. This isn’t a bad thing, but more of a guilty pleasure. A chuckle here and there keep the audiences on their toes, but don’t expect a bright and happy film. It’s more of a dark and cunning approach into the heist genre. The first half has the character development, which is a little lacking is depth. Halfway through the film picks up the pace and we have ourselves an undeniably entertaining heist flick.

True stories usually catch my interest and I’m glad I took the time to check this one out. Jason Statham stands on his own here. “Stealing the spotlight” is what I like to call it and he does it well. He does it so well that he keeps the film moving briskly, without tripping over itself. An old-fashioned caper flick that satisfies, but not to the extent of greatness. It’s smart and exciting, but don’t expect the ultimate heist movie, for it’s lacking in a coherent storyline. This effects the film, but not to the point of annoyance.

I went in with high expectations and came out satisfied. This holds up to be solid entertainment and nothing more. It contains a couple intense moments that hold the film together and make it interesting. It’s hard to say that the acting was good because the only actor that really stands out here is Jason Statham, who gives a standard performance. It doesn’t surprise me that this is probably the best film currently playing at the multiplexes, which isn’t saying much.

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