The Channel - Waffenbrüder

I like heist movies like Den of Thieves, so I turned this one on. The movie's main characteristic is the absence of anything groundbreaking, fresh, and original. The movie seemingly borrows from an assortment of heist movies, including Den of Thieves. The result is that the movie is predictable and forgettable. The ending is a bit of a mixed bag, relying on some mildly incredulous actions by the police

Nonetheless, I still found the movie to be a very easy and fun watch. The action scenes are intense; the police investigation is delivered intelligently for most of the movie (outside of the ending). The character Mick is awesome and definitely overshadows his nicer brother. The pacing is smooth.

Again - the movie won't stay with you, and there isn't much you haven't seen. But if you like heist movies, crime movies, cop movies, and action movies - you'll have no trouble sitting through this one

7.5/10.

Never mind the clearly bogus high reviews, and this film is certainly more deserving than the 1/10's, so here's an honest real review; it's a decent and one-time watchable B-Film. The story is nothing new, but has a nice flow and continuity to it, with very little plot and technical issues, and decent action. The 100 min runtime could've used a 10-15 min trim to get rid of some of the filler. Pacing was decent, as was the cinematography and score, especially for a B film. I've never heard of any of the actors, but they performed fairly decent, although the Walter White looking guy and the lead FBI agent Nicoye Banks could've had better casting choices. Nevertheless, it's no 10 and certainly not a 1, but a fair 7/10 for one of the better watchable B films I've seen in a while.

The Channel is a low budget film, but one done with style and skill. It's clearly influenced by crime films like Heat and 21 Bridges (the main cop even looks like Chadwick Boseman!), but the plot manages to go to places that those films did not. The result is a movie that feels fresh and thrilling despite wearing its influences on its sleeve.

The film's secret weapon is definitely director William Kaufman, who has made a career of turning out big action on tiny budgets. His signature is creating visceral, realistic-ish gunfights and he doesn't disappoint here. Shootouts that would last 30 seconds in other movies instead go on for 3-5 minutes here and escalate in a pleasing fashion. I wouldn't say The Channel has the best shootouts he's ever made (see The Brave or Daylight's End for that), but this is certainly the best film he's made. It holds up even during the non-action scenes and I found myself invested in the predicament of the main characters.

If you can accept action movies without big studio production values, then The Channel is a good time at the movies.

Going into this film with low expectations and unfamiliarity with the cast, I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly impressed by what unfolded. The movie, which I initially underestimated, proved to be a captivating experience filled with intense action and compelling performances.

From the start, the film grips you with its high-stakes heist plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The actors, though not household names, brought their characters to life with authenticity and vigor that rivaled seasoned stars. Their portrayal of the classic "good guys against the bad guys" scenario was fresh and engaging, making every moment count.

The action sequences were well choreographed, showcasing a blend of strategy and adrenaline that is often hard to balance in heist films. Each scene was crafted with precision, making the action not just exciting but believable.

Overall, this film is a hidden gem that deserves more attention. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thrillers. The movie not only met but exceeded my expectations, earning my full respect and a high recommendation.

What a great surprise - i only gave this a chance because Clayne Crawford is in it, terrific edgy actor (the talented one from TV series Lethal Weapon, the wonderful Rectify, and several acclaimed indie movies including The Killing Of Two Lovers and The Integrity Of Joseph Chambers), and was shocked by how good it was. A genuinely tremendous opening set-piece, in which a heist goes wrong, comes pretty close to the wonders of Michael Mann's Heat with an intense and prolonged shootout. The film is beautifully shot, well-acted with muscular and committed direction, tight and straightforward - it may not be Shakespeare, but for action fans it delivers what it promises and more, a gripping, visceral heist movie made with real style and quality. Highly recommended.