The Locksmith

I've never a more emphatic 5 in my life. It's not horrible, it's not good either. It's a 5. Average film. The dialogue is only written to move the plot along. You've probably seen this same plot 2 dozen times with different settings and variables.

The acting is okay, ving rhames is good, but mostly it's just a go through the motions movie. Good guy, bad guys, good cop, bad cops, evil real estate guy, some tepid violence. It's really a movie I'll never think about again.

It's like when you write a movie and you want everyone to agree, not take any risks and make a cookie cutter film that's been done a hundred times. This is that movie. If you love average stuff and like to be bored and see a through the motions movie then this is your jam!!!

IN A NUTSHELL: This is the directorial debut of Nicolas Harvard.

Miller (Ryan Phillippe), an ex-con recently released from prison for a bungled robbery, tries to walk a straight line and work his way back into the lives of his ex, Beth (Kate Bosworth), a police detective, and their young daughter. While Miller is doing his best to stay on the straight and narrow with the help of an old friend (Ving Rhames), he finds his past will not stay in the past, and he is forced to commit one last crime before he can truly walk away. Things once again go badly, and now not only his freedom but also his daughter's life, hang in the balance.

We've seen a lot of movies like this before. It's not particularly unique, but it's still entertaining.

THINGS I LIKED: I really like Ryan Phillippe. He's always a believable actor in his roles. Have you seen his recent TV series "Shooter"? He's fantastic in it! In this role, Ryan creates a character that we want to believe in and root for, despite his past mistakes.

Kate Bosworth always does a great job too.

Rounding out the talented cast are Ving Rhames, Charlie Weber, and Jeffrey Nordling.

We get to learn to pick locks. Ha ha

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: There are some bad CGI moments that are very noticeable.

The story, itself, is very straightforward and formulaic with no twists or turns to make it more interesting.

I would love to have seen more symbolic connections to locks, keys, and locksmiths.

It's frustrating to watch an ex-con want to get clean and leave his life of crime, only to be forced back in against his will. He DOES have a choice, but it's a terrible situation to be in.

Sadly, the movie is entirely forgettable. Meh.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Profanity, including F-bombs We see people shoot and kill other people, sometimes with blood Conversations about call girls.

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I almost have to attribute many low scores on good little movies these days on the fact that the vast majority of people are just not properly educated about what makes a quality production. Before cell phones and internet, people watched a LOT more movies. Thusly, their attention spans were forced to actually stay and think about what they were watching, or had just watched after it was over. Because of the vast amount of constant entertainment choices at everyone's finger tips these days, people are constantly trying to find something better the minute something ends. I believe it's a very solid 6.5 movie. Everyone did an excellent job all-around here. It also has a very intelligently written script. Gutzy, tense, not overly mellow-dramatic, and never gets preachy. It definitely delivers.

What is it these days? Aren't there enough good writers in Hollywood who can write a BELIEVABLE script? I guess not, because this movie fails to impress because of a huge lack in credibility of several plot turns.

The bad: this movie wasnt original to begin with, but that shouldnt have been a problem, IF ONLY they had written a story that one could believe in and would make some sense. But they didnt.

They must take us viewers for morons. Just to name 1 example: a locksmith (Ryan Phillipe) is going to rob a pokergame for half a million dollars. Without any preparation he just barges in and then expects to walk out unharmed. And he miracuslously succeeds! Then he goes to return the money with a ski mask on. Ha ha ha, completely laughable script!!!

It's such a pity of the ridiculous script, because this movie had the potential to be at least an okay gangster movie. Now it's cringeworthy to watch at.

It starts out okay though, THAT's the problem. I got suckered in watching this movie and only realising half way through what a ridiculous story it is...

Locksmith Miller Graham is released from prison after a ten year stretch. He is taken in hand by friend and Mentor Frank, who gives him a job and an opportunity, but Miller is persuaded to do one final job.

After the first fifteen or twenty minutes, I was calling the low score and poor reviews into question, as the movie gets to the hour mark, you'll understand why, after a strong start, it nosedives.

It's definitely polished, it's a very good looking film, a great location, nice camera work, it moves by at a satisfying pace.

The initial story is really good, I liked the idea of Graham coming out with a grudge, but sadly that isn't the way if plays out, the main body of the film, the actual plot is pretty lame, there are just too many holes, too many wtaf moments, the added touches of melodrama really don't work.

The acting is good, Ryan Phillipe does a good job, as do the supporting cast, but they are up against it with the script.

If you can switch your brain off it's watchable, try and take it seriously, or apply logic, and you'll want to throw your remote control.

5/10.