Rated R for violence, pervasive language and some sexual content.
Starring Robert De Niro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Dave Bautista, Kate Bosworth and D.B. Sweeney
Directed by Scott Mann
Heist is a by-the-numbers crime thriller that never lives up the star power of the cast.
When their attempt to rob a casino owned by the feared gangster Pope (Robert De Niro) goes awry and a shootout ensues, Vaughn (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Cox (Dave Bautista) are forced to flee on foot and hijack city Bus 657 and take the passengers hostage. Now, in a high speed chase, Vaughn will not only have to outwit the police, led by Officer Bajos (Gina Carano) who are in hot pursuit, but he will have to contend with Pope’s maniacal right hand man, Dog (Morris Chestnut), in order to make it through the day alive. But we quickly learn that things are not what they seem, and Vaughn has more than one card up his sleeve.
It’s easy to compare Heist to Speed and Die Hard…but those films are classics and Heist is a forgettable action movie that will be forever lost in the mire of B action films.
Despite a decent idea and a really good cast, this crime thriller feels somewhat half-hearted and rushed. I couldn’t help but think that in the beginning it might have been promising, but it fell off the track somewhere along the way.
De Niro, Bosworth, Morgan and Bautista are all great to see on film, but they just don’t have enough to work with here. Director Scott Mann tries to build conflict between the characters, but all we get is a lot of yelling and cursing.
All in all, Heist is a dud — as if the generic title left you with any doubt. Don’t waste your time or money, I say “Skip It.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
I would say no. Although there is no sex or nudity shown, there are several sexual references throughout. There is also a lot of graphic violence and over 50 F-words.
CONVERSATION STARTER:
- Why do Vaughn and Cox try to rob Pope?
- Is stealing ever ok?
- What are some examples of “honest work”?
- How can you share with those in need?
Read Ephesians 4:28
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.