What a waste of time.
Added 2/24/2010
This movie could have been a lot better. There could have been a concise, fast-moving plot, and everything!
There wasn't.
I laughed TWICE throughout this thing, and both times were thanks to Cate Blanchett: the first, when she was dancing around in her kitchen to 'Holding Out For A Hero'; the second, because one of the wigs she wore in a disguise reminded me of Agent Spalko from Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
The framing device of flashbacks (Bobby Slayton? Really? REALLY?) added too much time, as well as nothing to the 'surprise' ending (who REALLY thought our beloved angry Joe and hypochondriac Terry would get it in the end? C'mon, now).
Basically, if you're thinking about renting this, make sure that you have absolutely NOTHING else you want to do with 123 minutes of your life. If I could have given it minus stars, I would have; it gets one for Cate Blanchett (who looks even better with red hair).
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goosey Brucey
Added 2/18/2010
"Bandits" is such an abundant movie because it's a comedy, an action picture and even a drama and a love story. Shown in flashbacks, "Bandits" tells the story of two fugitives, Terry Collins (Billy Bob Thornton) and Joe Blake (Bruce Willis) who cook up an elaborate scheme to rob a string of banks. Along the way the guys meet a lonely and despondent housewife trapped in suburbia-Hell, Kate (Cate Blanchett). The movie is so much fun because all of the characters are multi-faceted. There was something very sensitive about Joe and I couldn't tell if he was the leader of the group or not. At first it seemed like he was in charge but as the story went on it got more difficult to tell. The movie doesn't take itself seriously and is the type that you laugh at and feel good about. It reminded me very much of one of my very favorite movies "Quick Change" because the dialog was not just real but extraordinarily funny. It wasn't done in a silly way though, a lot of it was very subtle and deadpan. If you're like me you'll find yourself routing for Joe and Terry. The movie ends just the way you would want it to and my only complaint is that the music was lousy. If you want to see a perfect Bruce Willis movie than this is it.
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`Cate the Great' steals the whole show!
Added 2/16/2010
I've reviewed this film once before for this site, under another name, and so writing this review and not sounding like a complete copy cat is going to be hard (I challenge you to find my previous persona).
Really, my sole reason for seeing and or owning this movie has to do with Bruce Willis. I've been a fan for a LONG time and really consider him one of our most underrated actors. Sure, he has a lot of fans and makes a lot of movies, but not many consider him a great `actor', but his comedic timing is on point and his dramatic delivery is remarkable (just watch him wince in internal pain in `The Sixth Sense' or dance comedic circles around the entire cast of `The While Nine Yards'). So, when `Bandits' dropped I was anxiously awaiting its arrival. Having seen it numerous times I have to now agree with many who claim this movie to really be a woman's show.
Cate Blanchett OWNS this movie.
When we first meet Kate Wheeler she is cooking dinner and winds up making musical (and comedic) magic with the pots hanging in her kitchen. I was instantly smitten with her sensual chemistry with the camera. She engages you effortlessly and really sinks into the slinky comedic organism that is Kate. Wheeler gets wrapped up in the life of crime when she meets `The Sleepover Bandits', escaped convicts Joe and Terry. She soon finds that this life on the run is providing her with everything her current marriage is depriving her of; freedom.
I'll refrain from given away too much of the film, but the love triangle angle is obvious, yet refreshingly handled.
What I love so much about Blanchett's performance is that she takes a character that we've seen before and actually makes her make sense. She breathes so much charismatic light into this character that you completely understand WHY these two men are drawn to her and ultimately fall in love with her. She is not only stunning (truly stunning) but she is naturally delightful. Her presence just lights up the whole screen and brings out the best in her co-stars. Willis is not as sharp as he has been before, and Billy-Bob is probably funnier than he has ever been (his neurotic, near Woody Allen persona is instantly infectious and riotous) but he still can't bring Cate down from her high podium of greatness.
This film has some flaws, but they are masked by hearty performances and a well rounded script that layers the flaws with enough laughs to steal your attention. It's a great little comedy that provides a nice little escape from reality and serves up plenty of laughs.
And of course, there is Cate the great!
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This movie is hilarious no matter how many time I watch it. Bruce and Billy Bob have natural comedic timing. The chemistry between these two plus Cate makes for a hugely entertaining film.
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Worthy for the main characters only....
Added 12/14/2009
This film is pretty weak. The plot is very unrealistic as it plays out. What is somewhat entertaining, is Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, & Kate Blanchett. I paid 99 cents for a weekend rental special. It is worth that much, not more.
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