Highly Overrated But Still Good

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Joel Schumacher should not be making films anymore. He is outdated. He has expired. He is an amateur at best. Perhaps prominent in the late 80s, it seems he has turned his eye as of late to generic claustrophobic thrillers, after his success with 'Phone Booth'. Yet, unable to replicate that film's success, he continues to gnaw at my sanity in the darkest depths of Hollywood's basement with this atrocity. A married couple are taken hostage by a group of extortionists who believe there is a large stash of money and diamonds hidden in the home. Ninety minutes of Nicolas Cage shouting "Run Sarah! Run! Sarah Run! Runnn! Sarah! Run Sarah! Sarah! Sarah! Go! Run! Runnn! Go Sarah! Sarah! Gooooo! Run! Sarahhhhhhhhhh! Sarah Go Run Go Run Run Run!" as he exhumes a colossal amount of confidence given the situation he encounters. He didn't look remotely frightened in the slightest! Just breathing heavily with such excitement that eventually he exclaims (to the robbers) "A million dollars? Yes, that's right, kid! YOU DID IT! YOU HIT THE MOTHERLOAD!" in his usual Cage freaking out trademark. As I'm writing this, I'm crumbling into laughter at just how poor this thriller was. Gajdusek's screenplay consists of the same two scenes looping each other in what seems like eternal damnation. "I am not opening the safe" to "see if you can escape". Simply just calling each other's bluff and then attempting to flee, on repeat, for the whole film. The antagonists were less villainous than a swan. The plot "twist" had no impact and was utterly convenient. Where are the thrills to be had? Where is the onscreen chemistry? Why are Kidman and Mendelsohn in this abomination? Why is Schumacher still making films? Why am I watching this!? It isn't a home invasion film, it's a masterclass on how to overact. Scream, flail your arms around and breathe intensively whilst simultaneously crying. Poor direction, poor editing, poor script, poor performances and poor plot. Seriously, is there anything worth stealing from this poor film?

Don't know why this was put into the rubbish bin by people. Sure, it is no masterpiece, and nothing original, but movies are supposed to entertain and it does exactly that. I watched this with my missus when our first choice of a film did not work. but glad to see it instead.Almost all takes place in one location, but delivers. Do not get disheartened by the low ratings and give a chance when in mood. you won't be disappointed.Normally not keen on mr Cage, but he is rather superb here. Cannot decide whether the lady was really nicole kidman, or someone else, though. She looked very thin. and much older than i remembered.

Wealthy married couple with a teenage daughter (and a wall safe potentially filled with cash) have their home invaded by thugs posing as cops. Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman take turns being kicked around or begging for mercy, with the plot-twist being that they're cushy union is all a sham (what a revelation to get after an hour of f-bombs!). While the viewer waits for something to happen, jewelry drawers are emptied, guns and knives are brandished, and director Joel Schumacher does everything he can to make these thieves as dangerously charismatic as possible. Schumacher wants to make a point--that there's a fine line between the 'good' guys and the 'bad' guys--but since he obviously relates more with the thugs than the family, his picture just seems lurid and full of bombast. An expensive production is frittered away on a masochistic scenario with enough tired tread on it to halt nearly all interest after the second act, while everyone panics with painted-on hysteria. *1/2 from ****

Kyle Miller (Nicolas Cage) is a fast talking diamond dealer. There is friction with his wife Sarah (Nicole Kidman) and their rebellious teenage daughter Avery (Liana Liberato). They live in an upper class high security home. Avery sneaks out to a party with her best influence friend Kendra. Elias (Ben Mendelsohn), his stripper girlfriend Petal (Jordana Spiro), his younger brother Jonah (Cam Gigandet) and Ty (Dash Mihok) are a gang of home invaders masquerading as police.There are a lot of questionable motives coming from Kyle. I don't understand why he won't open the safe. I don't understand why he tells them about the fake diamond necklace. The most obvious play is to plead poverty and hope the necklace is enough to get rid of the robbers. So they saw him with a bag of cash. Unless they're following him 24/7, he could always say that he already paid somebody else. It's ridiculous to fight them on opening the safe. Looking back on the film, I don't see what his play was at the time. They could have chopped off his fingers one at a time until he opened it. And this also has one of my personal worst pet peeves. Why doesn't criminals ever wear gloves? Director Joel Schumacher tries to amp up on every ugly thriller move. That would only work if the script works and this script doesn't.