(Rated R)
We can always depend on an annual summer blockbuster, (and I use the term loosely), from “The Rock” “Con Air” “Armageddon” producer, Jerry Bruckheimer. And, it usually stars Nicolas Cage. Boston writer Scott Rosenberg’s parents were in the row ahead of me for the screening and one can only wonder what they really thought. Sure it had the heart thumping surround-a-sound music, slick visuals, over the top car chases and stunts, but despite the “you-have-4-days-to-steal-50-cars-or-your-brother-dies” ticking clock, there was little plot tension. I never really cared for these characters that ex auto-thief ‘Randall “Memphis” (Nicolas Cage) rallies together to help save baby brother, Kip (Giovanni Ribisi). By the way, Cage is an ‘ex’ car thief because his mother ‘asked him to stop’ so that baby brother wouldn’t follow in his shoes. Yeah, sure. Detective Roland (Delroy Lindo) is on Cage’s tail throughout the story but amazing that he appears in almost every scene except the ones where Cage is lifting cars. Among his ignition picking pals are Oscar winning, Angelina Jolie as Sway, Scott Caan as Tumbler and Vinnie Jones as The Spinx, with Robert Duvall as sort of the daddy/Zen of the thieves. Duvall’s wife is played in a minor role by Frances Fisher. Will Patton portrays Atley, the man of Cage’s past who delivers the info on the cars — or else. Seems like a lot of wasted talent on a movie that despite a few good laughs, is slightly racist and makes heroes out of car jackers as if it’s some trendy, hip and sexual pastime. Whenever that ticking clock counted down on screen, I knew we were closer to the movie’s end. I can only hope that “Gone In Sixty Seconds” lives up to its title at theatres.
We can always depend on an annual summer blockbuster, (and I use the term loosely), from “The Rock” “Con Air” “Armageddon” producer, Jerry Bruckheimer. And, it usually stars Nicolas Cage. Boston writer Scott Rosenberg’s parents were in the row ahead of me for the screening and one can only wonder what they really thought. Sure it had the heart thumping surround-a-sound music, slick visuals, over the top car chases and stunts, but despite the “you-have-4-days-to-steal-50-cars-or-your-brother-dies” ticking clock, there was little plot tension. I never really cared for these characters that ex auto-thief ‘Randall “Memphis” (Nicolas Cage) rallies together to help save baby brother, Kip (Giovanni Ribisi). By the way, Cage is an ‘ex’ car thief because his mother ‘asked him to stop’ so that baby brother wouldn’t follow in his shoes. Yeah, sure. Detective Roland (Delroy Lindo) is on Cage’s tail throughout the story but amazing that he appears in almost every scene except the ones where Cage is lifting cars. Among his ignition picking pals are Oscar winning, Angelina Jolie as Sway, Scott Caan as Tumbler and Vinnie Jones as The Spinx, with Robert Duvall as sort of the daddy/Zen of the thieves. Duvall’s wife is played in a minor role by Frances Fisher. Will Patton portrays Atley, the man of Cage’s past who delivers the info on the cars — or else. Seems like a lot of wasted talent on a movie that despite a few good laughs, is slightly racist and makes heroes out of car jackers as if it’s some trendy, hip and sexual pastime. Whenever that ticking clock counted down on screen, I knew we were closer to the movie’s end. I can only hope that “Gone In Sixty Seconds” lives up to its title at theatres.