“Takers’’
Hollywood by Choice
Get ready for action, lots of action. Dirty deals, misplaced loyalty, and did I mention some of the finest brothers in Hollywood today? Yeah, girl … this is for the ‘sistas,’ eye-candy to the max.
“Takers” stars some of Hollywood’s hottest actors, Black, White, and Latino. It’s not a story of heroes but about a group of young high-living criminals who take what they want and get away with it. They steal. And their takes are big and their risks are high, and involve elaborate plans timed to the second. It’s the perfect set-up; operating outside the law, while living as model citizens.
But nothing lasts forever.
“Takers” stars Idris Elba (“Obsessed”), Michael Ealy (“Seven Pounds”), Chris Brown (“This Christmas”), Tip “T.I.” Harris (“American Gangster”), Matt Dillon (“Crash”), Paul Walker (“The Fast and the Furious”), Jay Hernandez (“Lakeview Terrace”), and Hayden Christensen (“Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith”).
A strong cast like this really turns up the heat … in more ways than one.
Other cast members include Glynn Turman, Nick Turturro, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Zoe Saldana the love interest who causes a lot of problems, but that’s not the basis of this film.
You can’t even say it’s good versus evil. It’s the story of flawed cops and robbers who have varying degrees of issues that, in turn, negatively impact their lives. Even family matters come into play, and lead to the downfall of half of them.
Our bad boys live and work by a code: Hit big, lay low, and because they’ve never been busted, they live their lives in relative freedom—all except ‘Ghost’ (Tip “T.I.” Harris), who takes one for the boys. Upon his release, the question: Is he looking for revenge or to reunite with his fellas? Loyal to the bone, his money and his old lifestyle are waiting for him . . . well almost.
The boys in blue are determined to take these thieves down after a daring robbery that made monkeys out of ‘L.A.’s Finest.’ The score netted our boys $2 million, and left the police without a clue.
The cops assigned to the robbery have their own share of problems. From discipline issues to money woes … it’s enough to turn a good cop dirty. And police officials are keeping a close eye on Jack Welles (Matt Dillon) described as an old school detective, who makes his own rules, and to the powers that be, acts like he’s ready to ‘blow.’
Welles wants to bring the ‘Takers’ down because of their arrogant, in-your-face, ‘the law can’t touch us’ attitude and the fact that they are darn good. He stakes his life on getting them at any cost.
There is lots of firepower. From incredible, well-thought out scenes involving heists like you’ve never seen before, to shoot-outs that remind you of the Old West or your favorite gangster movie.
I don’t know about you, but I like hand-to-hand combat more and more. If you’re going to fight, then fight like a man, or a woman scorned—kick butt.
One of my favorite scenes involves Hayden Christensen (A.J.), and his fight scene leads me to believe he just may be tapped as Hollywood’s next action hero.
Actor Chris Brown displayed an amazing amount of agility and flexibility. He had the audience ‘oohing, and ahhing’ as he showed his skills in free running. The excellent camera work reveals that Brown did a number of his own stunts—The actor reportedly says he did 90 percent of them.
Criminals and cops alike follow tried and tested rules and guidelines; they are created for a reason. And when they are ignored there are consequences to pay on both sides of the law.
“Takers” is a modern day crime story, with no heroes or even a hint of repentance, aah … just right for a sequel.
“Takers” is in theaters Friday.
Gail can be reached at gail@hollywoodbychoice.com.
Idris Elba is one of the hottest stars in Hollywood and apparently in the United Kingdom as well.
Doing double-duty, Elba just completed his first season as the star of the six-part BBC series, “Luther,” and he’s a familiar face in a number of American films and television productions, minus the accent.
I’ll admit it up front; I’m a sucker for happy endings, and the thought that love triumphs over all.
That being said, if you want to see a movie that warms your heart, makes you laugh, and yes, watch out, you may just shed a tear or two, then “New Year’s Eve” is the movie for you.
Director/Producer Garry Marshall (“Valentine’s Day”) once again brings an all-star cast together to help us ring in the New Year.
“Happy Feet Two” is delightful, and it will make you very happy, and why not? Great music, penguins ‘getting’ down, outstanding animation, and an uplifting story, all in 3D.
In a curious way, it teaches us all, young and old, about our planet and how we’re all connected one way or the other. Through natural occurrence things begin to shift in the landscape of Antarctica and sea creatures great and small, as well as man have challenges they have to meet.
Want to know what’s on the Black man’s mind? The best way to find out is to spend an evening with the Black Hollywood Education and Research Center (BHERC), when they present Reel Black Men Short Film Showcase this Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. and hosted by Emmy Award winning (HBO “In Treatment” for Outstanding Guest Actor) Glynn Turman.
Check your family history, and you just might find someone that was once referred to as “the help.” Black women, who cooked, cleaned and cared for the children of their employers, generally Whites.
Set in Mississippi, “The Help” is a rich, funny and at times disturbing look at Black women in the turbulent 1960s who made their living working in White households. It’s rich because the story of these women seems to have been swept under a rug, almost like a Black reality we don’t want to remember.
