The sophomore feature of visual stylist Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day", "Brooklyn's Finest") rotates around a simple, but pretty brill idea. After a bank heist gone awry when psychotic computer whizz Bristol (Doug Hutchison) executes several guards, heavy-duty specialist Jaster escapes in a truck filled with gold. Soon he is captured, however only after the loot has been hidden. During his stay in prison he confides in Alvin Sanders (Jamie Foxx), small time crook caught stealing shrimp, sorry, prawns, from a warehouse. Soon after Jaster unfortunately gets a heart attack during interrogation by agent Edgar Clenteen (David Morse), leaving Sanders to be privy to key knowledge. In an attempt to capture the dangerous Bristol, Sanders is unknowingly bugged and released from prison, as live bait...
Fuqua is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing African-American directors out there and here is proof of capabilities, albeit delivery is faulty and jumpy. Much can be attributed to the apparent: Fuqua seems to be a director heavily dependant on source material. Given a good script he will deliver a brilliant movie. However "Bait" possesses only a mediocre one, fraught with lesser plot holes and unfeasible situations. Furthermore Jamie Foxx struggles to capture the role of a talkative Chris Rock wannabee, feeling much better in more dramatic or action-packed sequences, where he excels.
Nonetheless a thrilling ride with some stunningly filmed sequences overflowing with potential and well-thought gimmickry. Just needed some polishing in dialogue and plot to push up the satisfaction level to more acceptable levels.
