This doesn't even begin to come close to what it was intended to be, a high class caper/comedy that was to be something different than the ordinary heist thriller. It's a shame that Eddie Murphy agreed to lend his services to such a shoddy show, even though given his recent decline as somebody to follow, it's not that surprising.
That cannot be said of Ben Stiller, however. It's nice to actually see him play somewhat of a normal person but the project reeks of reused material from other and better heist flicks. I can't even begin to fathom why this is considered an original idea.
Take for example the villain, actually well played by Alan Alda, but the thing about him being under house arrest is seriously hard to swallow. Especially, given the fact that he is under suspicion of ripping of people who work in the same building. The scenes between him and Ben Stiller also lacks a dangerous undercurrent. They got the words but don't have the rhythm.
Also, I was seriously annoyed by the Casey Affleck character. He is written as a whiny toad who all of a sudden steps up, but the plot seriously lets him down. I couldn't think up one reason for his sudden change of heart. He just does a 180 and that's that.
Matthew Broderick looks seriously out of touch with comedy too. Strange since he has been one of the greats of comedy for many years. He doesn't look that healthy either.
There are a few good things about this thing. The thing with the car is pretty clever, but try not to think about what happens with it. It is seriously preposterous, but it does have the funniest moments in the whole flick.
So, Mr Murphy. Although, I have been a fan for years, I wish we could turn back time in which you actually cared about the projects you chose. Stiller? You can't do better, so who cares?
That cannot be said of Ben Stiller, however. It's nice to actually see him play somewhat of a normal person but the project reeks of reused material from other and better heist flicks. I can't even begin to fathom why this is considered an original idea.
Take for example the villain, actually well played by Alan Alda, but the thing about him being under house arrest is seriously hard to swallow. Especially, given the fact that he is under suspicion of ripping of people who work in the same building. The scenes between him and Ben Stiller also lacks a dangerous undercurrent. They got the words but don't have the rhythm.
Also, I was seriously annoyed by the Casey Affleck character. He is written as a whiny toad who all of a sudden steps up, but the plot seriously lets him down. I couldn't think up one reason for his sudden change of heart. He just does a 180 and that's that.
Matthew Broderick looks seriously out of touch with comedy too. Strange since he has been one of the greats of comedy for many years. He doesn't look that healthy either.
There are a few good things about this thing. The thing with the car is pretty clever, but try not to think about what happens with it. It is seriously preposterous, but it does have the funniest moments in the whole flick.
So, Mr Murphy. Although, I have been a fan for years, I wish we could turn back time in which you actually cared about the projects you chose. Stiller? You can't do better, so who cares?