Safe House

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Safe House.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa.

Written by David Guggenheim

Review #152

MPAA Rating: R for strong violence throughout and some language.

Runtime: 115 min

Cast

Denzel Washington ...Tobin Frost

Ryan Reynolds ...Matt Weston

Vera Farmiga ...Catherine Linklater

Brendan Gleeson ...David Barlow

Sam Shepard ...Harlan Whitford

Rubén Blades ...Carlos Villar

Nora Arnezeder ...Ana Moreau

Robert Patrick ...Daniel Kiefer

Liam Cunningham ...Alec Wade

Joel Kinnaman ...Keller

What's up everybody! I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! After 3 months laid up in hospital rooms and bedrest, I have returned to my passion. I have to say it's great to be back writing. I missed it and I hope you all missed me. Even if you haven't just lie to me. I could use the ego boost.

OK. On to the business at hand.

Spy films have always been an intriguing genre. The mystery and drama surrounding a well weaved tale of espionage can mystify and entertain like no other. There have been countless espionage films featuring iconic characters. We instantly refer to James Bond and his many characterizations. The newer films have jettisoned the campy version for a more darker realistic approach. This in my opinion was a direct response to the Jason Bourne franchise. Prior to the release of Casino Royale. The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Ultimatum were out in full view. Those films gave audiences a no nonsense look at what a spy film can and should be. My point is that since the Bourne films there hasn't been a spy film that has recaptured the rugged realism it gave us. Safe House tried it's hardest to be that next entry.

They needed to try harder.

Plot


A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge. 

The movie starts off with some character development and introduction then just seems to drone on. My initial opinion of Safe House was pretty positive until I noticed the typical formula for films of this nature. There's some dialogue to move the story along. Then there's a chase or fight or both. Then there's the calm after the action beat.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Safe House was nothing more than a run of the mill action thriller which involved government agents and corruption. There's absolutely NOTHING new here. Guggenheim took the playbook from other substandard spy films and followed the blueprint to the letter of the law. The only difference here was the cast was filled with some impressive talent. I was surprised that a group of pretty good actors signed on for this retread type of action film.

And speaking of the action. It was probably the worst I've seen in a very very long time. Poorly constructed, shot, choreographed and edited. And this is the worst part....it was redundant. All the action scenes looked and felt like it's predecessor. That's never good when you're making an action film. It's beyond imperative that your action beats contain some form of variety or originality. I say this realizing that there's only so much you can so with car chases, gun fights and hand to hand combat. However, that doesn't mean that all of your scenes have to mimic the previous ones. There was no originality or freshness to the action. It was too whimsical and poorly executed.

You combine that with a paper thin, highly predictable plot and you get Safe House. The promise was there for this one to be pretty good. Sadly just like so many of it's kin. The film broke it's promise.

On the 5 star scale. Safe House gets 1 star. With a "Save The Loot" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is. The Hunger Games and The Raid: Redemption.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"