Movie Name/Year: The
Hurricane Heist (2018)
Tagline: The
ultimate storm for the perfect heist.
Genre: Action,
Crime, Thriller
Length: 102
minutes
Rating: PG-13
Production Companies:
Foresight Unlimited, Signature Pictures, RSVP Entertainment, Windfall
Productions, Head Gear Films, Metrol Technology, Lipsync Productions, Double
Negative (DNEG), Dream Team Films, Parkside Pictures, Tadross Media Group
Producer: Byron
Allen, Karen Elise Baldwin, Marina Bespalov, Sergei Bespalov, Tamara Birkemoe, Mark
Borde, Alastair Burlingham, Chris Charalambous, Rob Cohen, Chris Conover, Mark
Damon, Carlos Davis, Mark DeVitre, Moshe Diamant, Charlie Dombek, Sufo Evtimov,
Anthony Fingleton, Carolyn Folks, Gregory Gavanski, Gabriel Georgiev, Allie
Greenleaf Maldonado, Peter Hampden, Eric Harbert, Terence Hill, Phil Hunt, William
J. Immerman, Jennifer Lucas, Namit Malhotra, Bernard Mazauric, Norman Merry, Christopher
Milburn, Compton Ross, Danny Roth, Nick Ruta, Jenna Sanz-Agero, Michael Tadross
Jr., Angela Taylor, Damiano Tucci
Director: Rob
Cohen
Writer: Scott
Windhauser, Jeff Dixon, Anthony Fingleton, Carlos Davis
Actors: Toby Kebbell,
Maggie Grace, Ryan Kwanten, Ralph Ineson, Melissa Bolona, Ben Cross, Jamie
Andrew Cutler, Christian Contreras, Jimmy Walker, Ed Birch, Moyo Akandé, James
Barriscale, Erik Rondell, Mark Basnight, Keith D. Evans, Mark Rhino Smith,
Brooke Johnston, Patrick McAuley, Leonardo Dickens, Stuart McQuarrie, Natacha
Karam, J.R. Esposito, Steven Baduske
Blurb from Netflix:
A deadly hurricane with mile-high waves provides the perfect cover for stealing
$600 million from a U.S. Treasury outpost in Mississippi.
Selina’s Point of View:
When this film was on my Top 20 list, in March of 2018, I
mentioned how interested I was in the mish-mash of genres. I acknowledged that
there was no way to tell how it would work out without seeing it, and I laid
out why I thought it was a dark horse that deserved to come in at number 5 that
month.
There were some decent people involved in this project. Rob
Cohen (Alex Cross, DragonHeart, The
Skulls), the director, is known for some widely loved films in the action genre
– such as The Fast and the Furious
(2001) and xXx (2002). With him
directing talented people such as Maggie Grace (Lost, Fear the Walking Dead, Aftermath) and Ryan Kwanten (Who Gets the Dog?, True Blood, Knights of
Badassdom), I felt it was safe to get some high hopes.
That said, it was also written by four people of varying
quality. We all know what a bad script can do to an otherwise good movie.
So, I had faith, but I wouldn’t have been completely
surprised if I was let down.
I am happy to say that I rather enjoyed it.
The mash-up of genres really worked. Although the action
part of the story was a basic recipe, the addition of the disaster arc flipped
a few switches that made it feel new – or even had it flowing better than
normal. For instance, without offering spoilers, people always have a problem
with the fact that high-speed chases in films rarely run into pedestrian
issues. Well, that’s not a problem to explain in a town that’s undergone a
mandatory evacuation during a hurricane.
Sure, other issues did arise, and there were a few problems
I had with the script – but it was all minor. You never really expect a film to
get every science fact correct and there are plenty other writers that feel they
need to beat the audience over the head with a reference in the fear that they
won’t get it.
All-in-all, The
Hurricane Heist wasn’t life-changing, but it was a good solid action flick.
I’d definitely recommend it.
Cat’s Point of View:
Have I mentioned before that I’m slightly obsessed with
weather-related disaster movies? I can’t quite help it. It’s something that
stems from my deep-seeded fear of tornadoes, as well as my subsequent morbid
fascination with storms and the weather. Something that’s helped me prevent
blind panic at the mention of severe weather has been gaining knowledge and
understanding on the topic. If I can ‘read’ the weather, then I can reassure
myself when it’s just a basic storm and prepare myself when it’s really time to
duck and cover. Of course, I don’t claim to be anywhere near the expertise
level of a meteorologist.
On the same token, I take a bit of morbid joy in ‘surviving’
films such as Twister (1996), the
IMAX documentaries on tornadoes, and Into
the Storm (2014). It’s a bit of an adrenaline surge, for sure. (We’re also
talking the real-deal IMAX dome, too – not the fairly commonplace multiplex
theater version.) I could go on and on with the documentary shows on Discovery
Channel and the like, but I’ll spare you.
This movie focuses on hurricanes, specifically, so it’s not
exactly the same. Destructive storm wind is destructive storm wind, though.
Sufficed to say, when you put all that together with my love
of action movies; I was really looking forward to The Hurricane Heist.
Anyone who is into storm-chasing documentary shows quite
possibly would join me in geeking out over the tank-like ‘Dominator’ featured
in the movie. Of course, this particular vehicle looked like it was the bastard
child of Sean Casey’s (Tornado Intercept,
Storm Chasers, Tornado Alley) T.I.V. 2 and Reed Timmer’s (When Nature Strikes, Tornado Chasers, Nova)
‘Dominator.’ Both are serious storm intercept vehicles equipped with sensors,
body armor, and ground-gripping features to weather and record most intense storms.
I digress. Back to this movie.
The cast was comprised of interesting choices. I had to grin
a little over Ryan Kwanten’s (Dead
Silence, Mystery Road, Blunt Force Trauma) southern drawl reminiscent of
good ol’ Jason Stackhouse from True Blood
(2008-2014). Maggie Grace’s (Taken 3,
Fear the Walking Dead, Aftermath) character reminded me a good deal of the
role she’s currently playing in her zombie apocalypse gig. Toby Kebbell (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Wrath
of the Titans, A Monster Calls) was a bit of a surprise, though. I liked
that I couldn’t find a ‘box’ to put him in with comparison to any other
performance.
I did have a few issues with Ralph Ineson’s (The Witch, Absentia, Ready Player One)
role, or perhaps his delivery – but that’s just likely me being picky about a
character claiming Irish roots.
In any case, I think the movie would be more enjoyable for
viewers if you just toss geography and science aside for a little bit. There
are some glaring plot holes here and there – but if you aren’t looking to prod
at them and dissect the movie, it can generally be overlooked for the most
part. I wanted to like this movie desperately. Even so, there were moments I
just couldn’t buy in completely because I knew too much for my own good and my mind
kept pointing out those parts. (I am practically having a conversation with
myself after-the-fact. Hello Hermione, do you HAVE TO do that?)
If you’re not asking too much of it, the movie is
entertaining. My 15-year-old enjoyed watching it with me without reaching for
her phone to fiddle with, so at least there’s that.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 44%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 24%
Metascore - 35/100
Metacritic User Score – 4.5/10
IMDB Score – 5.1/10
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 3.5/5
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating
– 3/5
P.S. The Netflix
blurb says it takes place in Mississippi, but one of the characters clearly
states that the setting is Alabama.
Movie Trailer:
No comments:
Post a Comment