StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

2hotFeature one of my absolute favorites!

PlatinumRead Just so...so bad

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

breakdownthatfilm-blogspot-com Sometimes there are movies that don't give a real reason as to why they should exist. Most movies when released serve a purpose. Whether they are extremely well made or just cheap cash-ins, there's usually an understandable reason. Whether it is ethical or not for making the movie is another question entirely. No matter if it's just making money off the name or because the filmmakers actually have a vision, they both serve as valid reasons as to why they exist. Also in the past, several macho actors from the 1980s have all made a few blunders in their time. Most of these box office bombs were because of being cast in unorthodox roles or ones that just didn't fit them. The genre with most of these examples belongs to the comedy films. As it turns out, Die Hard (1988) star Bruce Willis wasn't done trying his hand out at forced comedic roles until the early 2000s. Oddly enough, this felt like one of those movies that by the end of the showing made the viewer question why they even bothered to watch it. It literally serves no purpose in any way.Directed by Barry Levinson, this romantic heist comedy is short on almost everything it's supposed to deliver. Written by Harley Peyton, who has penned more TV episodes than anything else, the script is a story that barely engages its viewing audience. The plot involves two nationally recognized thieves known as the "Sleepover Bandits" who end up falling in love with an accidental hostage. Featured on a TV show, the two criminals at large are Joe Blake (Bruce Willis) and Terry Collins (Billy Bob Thorton). The female hostage that they both end up panting over is Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett), a rich housewife who loves to cook and can't stand her own marriage. For two hours, this film drags its feet doing nothing particularly important related to the plot. Pacing is one of the film's biggest problems. For such a cut and dry scenario, the length at which this story is stretched to is ridiculous. Especially when the main set of characters barely get the development they need to be likable.Aside from Wheeler not liking the way her husband kissed her, there is no other given motivation as to why she can't stand the life she lives. On the other side, no explanation is given as to how Collins or Blake got into the profession of robbing banks. Nor is it elaborated on how they got so good at it. Or even if they really are that cold blooded since a few hostages question their actions. That actually would've been more captivating to focus on. There's also another character named Harvey Pollard (Troy Garity) who has his own character arc but doesn't add anything to the main plot. Pollard's goal is to become a stuntman and that particular trait is only utilized once throughout the whole movie. Convenient much? The execution is highly cliché in its play out of the story. There are numerous things that can be seen way before the end credits role. One of the reasons why this is known is because the movie starts off at the finale and then rewinds to the beginning. It hardly creates the required tension to make the movie engaging. One more nail in the coffin is the chemistry between Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thorton. The two just don't make the kind of buddy duo one would enjoy. Bruce Willis plays it soft spoken Mr. Mysterious with an ugly mullet and rarely makes a funny line. Billy Bob Thorton oppositely plays his role loud, jittery and obnoxious. Thorton says the name "Joe" almost after every sentence. Is it really that necessary to point out whom you're talking to in every line of dialog? It's apparent that Peyton was trying to define these characters so differently, but they're so exaggerated that they aren't as relatable as they could be. None of the lines these two main leads have to say are worthy of even a chuckle. Every bit of dialog, scenario and end result is just playing on screen to use time. It's not even that it's bad dialog, it's just boring. Watching two oddball characters ham it up about who wants to be with the female hostage feels rehashed and over done so many times. Really, who cares?The only two redeeming elements to this movie are the music and camera-work. Credited as director of photography, Dante Spinotti has acceptable work here. Giving his talents to other movies like Heat (1995), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and Hercules (2014), Spinotti has proved that he can capture clear settings for different scenes. From what was displayed no shots shook around nor did they have any problems showing the audience of which certain things were stationed. For music, the underrated Christopher Young worked as the composer. Strangely enough having Young on board didn't change much of the experience for two reasons. The first reason is that Young does have a some cues that are interesting to hear but they are very short lived. The second reason is that Young is known for composing music to horror films; how in the world did he get hired for this project? It nowhere fits his previous credits in his filmography. Besides, most of Young's work gets run over by all the early 2000s mainstream music. Just great....not.The film on a visual aspect looks fine and the music is nice even though Christopher Young as composer is not using his skills wisely. Anything else is all questionable. The movie does not prove itself to have a reason for existence. The characters are boring, the premise is boring, and the comedy is boring. It's all boring and overdone.

reisnersteven If you rated this movie any less than 7/10 then your not sure what a good movie is. The storyline isn't exactly perfect but it works simply because of the characters. The three main characters of Joe Blake, Terry Collins and Kate Wheeler are impossible not to fall in love with. Bruce Willis as Joe Blake, though one of his least action packed roles is easily one of his most menacing, but funny and charming at the same time. Billy Bob Thornton as his high strung paranoid partner Terry Collins is unforgettable and hilarious, and it works great with Bruce. I've watched this 100 times and still watch it whenever it's on. Funny, smooth with a little action, a little romance and a very nice twist at the end. Watch this movie, if you don't enjoy it then like I said you don't know what entertainment is.9/10 stars. Anyone smell burning feathers?

Finfrosk86 Here is what I remember thinking after having watched this. Had they just cut out (or at least cut way shorter) the romantic bullcrap, this would have been heaps better.I see this movie like this. 3 parts. 1 part entertaining bandit-movie. 1 part boring romance. 1 part entertaining bandit-movie.Romance messing up movies is super annoying. We don't need no silly romance! I give a lot of extra cred to movies that skip romance all together.Anyway, I don't have a long in-depth review of this, I just remember enjoying the non romance parts of it. I liked both the Bs', Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis. Bandits is also way too long. Again, because of the romantic crap.

p-stepien Two convicts escape prison during a dastardly spontaneous break. Joe Blake (Bruce Willis), with charm and sex-appeal to spare, leads the duo into a series of bank robberies, however the brains behind the operation is Terry Lee Collins (Billy Bob Thronton), a hypochondriac with a subversive knack for stealing. After conceptualising the ploy to kidnap bank managers at their home the day before a heist, thus giving them access to the bank vault prior to its opening, the enter into a highly successful spree which gives them country-wide prominence. Blake cousin Harvey Pollard (Troy Garity) completes the team of robbers, functioning as the heist middleman and getaway driver. The situation however complicates itself when an dissatisfied housewife Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett), suicidally saddened by her husband's lack of interest, ends up a willing hostage of the three robbers, soon becoming a lover of both Joe and Terry...Hilarious, often through subtlety, not straight forward humour, "Bandits" turns several premises on its head, offering a well-conceived robbery ploy which simultaneously functions as a great instrument for comedic content. Although Willis is invariably himself the show is truly stolen by Billy Bob Thornton, whose quirky nervous character is revelatory offering apt space for him to present his comedic attributes. At times keeping the story simple and close to the audience, it nonetheless manages to bring about twists that are both ingenious and uncontrived. Features several absolutely charming scenes, including the most peculiar dance in memory.