See it at the Movies

CRIMINAL

with Joyce & Don Fowler
Posted 4/21/16

* * * ½

(Outlandish, outrageous action movie)

We’re giving this one a *** ½ rating not because it is an Oscar contender but because it is so outrageous and outlandish it makes for two …

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See it at the Movies

CRIMINAL

Posted

* * * ½

(Outlandish, outrageous action movie)

We’re giving this one a *** ½ rating not because it is an Oscar contender but because it is so outrageous and outlandish it makes for two hours of pure exciting escapism. And who would ever expect the usually “warm and cool” Kevin Costner to play a character with absolutely no morals or sense of decency? Director Ariel Vromen has also recruited big-name actors Ryan Reynolds, Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Oldman to join in the fun. 

Ryan plays CIA operative Bill Pope, hot on the trail of some bad guys, looking for a hacker that goes by the name of The Dutchman, and getting killed after stashing a bag of big bucks.

Kindly doctor Franks (Tommy Lee Jones) operates on the dead man, transferring the memory part of his brain into Jericho (Costner), a dangerous psychopath with no feelings or morals. (We told you it was outrageous!)

A very nasty, determined CIA chief (Gary Oldman) sends Jericho out to find the bad guys and recover the money. Jericho escapes and goes out on his own, slowly picking up memory bits and ending up at the home of Pope and scaring his wife and daughter to death.

The plot thickens as the sociopath picks up not only memories but some of Pope’s habits, feelings, personality and emotions This is where Costner shines, with his conflicted character in complete turmoil, at times vicious and at times showing strong feelings for the widow and her child.

 

There are lots of chases, and the movie occasionally moves in too many directions until the wild and crazy ending. If you are looking for some wild escapism, “Criminal” will do it for you.

Rated R for lots of violence and profanity.

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