I think critics of this film have the wrong approach. It isn't highbrow, or even pretending to be, it may to some be a waste of good actors, but I couldn't care less because I think it is great. There are times when I just want to switch off and be entertained by a mindless action movie, and this one not only delivers, but is pleasantly far from mindless.
We do see the robbery in flashes during the opening credits, the airport crew get shot and the flatbed driving away from the empty plane. On a side note I thought the music here was excellent. There are four main characters who have pulled off the job - the organiser, the driver, the mechanic and the gunman, all of whom are unhinged in some way and whose worst sides come out as events conspire to stop them making their deadline for converting the gold into cash.
But the biggest character is the desert itself. It's beautifully shot, really getting across the effect of the harsh environment on the crew as they begin to bicker and fall out. You know it will descend into violence but it is fun getting there - although the characters are shallow the mind play between them is still very interesting as their quirks and psychotic tendencies emerge and set each other off. I like the black humour of old French action movies so I didn't care how derivative it was here, it was good to see it again and a refreshing break from some Hollywood offerings, nor did it have their tendency to moralise or patronise. You won't have to be Sherlock to figure out what's coming but it's fun finding out and there were still a few surprises.
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
