Foolproof (2003)

From my favorite movies..

Dreadfully Boring

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Computer hacking and corporate espionage aren't new plot lines to spy thrillers. Someone needs a specific item, so either they themselves or another skilled individual does the job. The idea of course is to get by without being detected and leaving no trace that anything had happened to begin with. When a trio of college groupies become a theoretical genius machine and figure out how to break into a jewelry store, they end up being blackmailed to perform a much bigger task. This particular idea isn't too extreme if it were not for such obvious plot holes. Surprisingly, the film entertains at a level that was unexpected.The trio of theorists that devise such an elaborate plan are Kevin (a before really famous Ryan Reynolds), Sam (Kristin Booth) and Rob (Joris Jarsky). And appropriately, these actors do look like college students for their age relative to this movie. Most notably, this is before Ryan Reynolds' got ripped for future comic book movies. It seems a little preposterous though that these three are the mega geniuses who create this perfect heist blueprint. No one really defined themselves as the brains of the outfit. The script provided the necessary dialog to make them sound smart but to look like they were real geniuses was another story. The man behind the blackmail scandal is Leo Gillette played by underrated actor David Suchet. This was also the man who played the leader of the hijacked 747 in Kurt Russell's Executive Decision (1996). Just like before, Suchet is able to pull off his character with such ease that it's difficult not to see the threat that he holds. However, some of his character's decision making is a slight bit silly. One of them is - why blackmail these theorists to actually pull off the heist? At the beginning of the film, the main characters demonstrate how breaking into the system is done but who's to say that they know every single tactic of espionage? That also includes gun use and cable suspensions? If this is the case, I'm not sure these college grads are as innocent as they appear to be. Nevertheless, sure these wiseguys can crack the code to a security system but could you really trust them to pull off a heist with expertise? I think it's expecting a little too much even though they did do it well.Particularly, the idea of having amateurs do professional work isn't a bad idea for a comedy, which is what this thriller is supposed to have in it. Director and writer William Phillips tried but there doesn't seem to be enough of a comedic angle to his direction. The majority of the qwerky lines come from Ryan Reynolds, respectively. But it shouldn't just be Reynolds carrying these moments. Plus, there could've been several funny scenes involving characters getting familiar with how to do espionage. Then, have them slowly grow and become more self- efficient. In spite of this though, Phillips produced a script that at least worked effectively at defining its characters and having them develop evenly,...for the most part. At points, there are twists in the story line. This isn't bad at all, but it then undermines a good portion of the character development.The quality to the rest of the production is adequately made but is nothing out of the ordinary or special. There doesn't seem much of any CGI but the practical effects used work and look real and that's good. The cinematography by Derek Rogers who also worked on Cube (1997) provided the right scenery but again nothing that stands out. Even Jim McGrath's music is a turn down. Mainly this reason is because his score is inaccessible. It still wasn't an amazing score, but it did provide easy listening. McGrath's themes contained jazz related instruments that attempted at lightening the mood of the story to a comical level. At times there were contemporary music inserted in various scenes and they too weren't bad, but didn't elevate the viewing. It's an OK watch but it's not worth a second view.The script has its moments of being clever and its cast works. Yet, the frequency at which it works at being a funny spy thriller is not very often. It's okay for a one-time watch.

It was a good idea, with good symbolism, with some excellent actors, but with a contrived Story. It started out as 'Ocean's 11' and just got more contrived until it was practically fantasy at the end. It was fun...if you didn't take it too seriously and just said:"eh...so what?". The movie is actually so good and so bad at the same time. It's because this movie exhibits the best and the worst qualities that we get passionately critical of it. It's like taking a '71 Hemi'cuda and painting it with a roller. Some of the acting was excellent and David Suchet blew my mind as 'Leo Gillette'. The intensity of that character kept me on the edge of my seat. The use of symbolism was a tasty touch as well. Unfortunately, Ryan Reynold's character; Kevin wasn't fully-realized and all exchanges between the two just seemed wrong. Van Wilder just didn't realize enough of his own talent potential at the time of this production. One of my own bug bears is weapon use. In this movie, Leo fired a .45 cal Glock like it was a cap gun; 5 shots (or so). He had "No idea" that he was firing blanks. He never even suspected. I've fired a .45 pistol. That thing is a beast! Blanks? Not even in the same postal code. How about falling 40+ floors and still being alive. I hate to be graphic but not only would you be dead...you would be in many pieces... non of which would have the intact bones to hold up a gun. Modern (within the last 40 years) elevators also have 4 independent brakes to prevent free fall. None of which occurred to this "Mastermind" and to the protagonists who predicted his elaborate plan to destroy them. In the end, the three turn the tables on Leo and run off with the diamonds with nary a care in the world. I'm sorry but Leo is 'Hannibal Lector' in everything but diet. A set of bars wouldn't make me feel safe enough. Maybe get a major tan and go live with a tribe in the Amazon?

The presence of usually dependable Ryan Reynolds might suck you into renting, or worse buying, "Foolproof". Unfortunately after watching it, the only conclusion one can draw is that Ryan Reynolds didn't read the script. He is totally out of his element here as a wannabe hi-tech thief. There is zero character development, an unbelievable premise, and everything, and I mean everything, about "Foolproof" is unbearably contrived. In addition there are other annoyances, including an abrasive soundtrack, and headache inducing split screens. I have seen cartoons that had more substance. Unbelievably contrived nonsense.....BEWARE... - MERK

Recently, I have seen this film, which is great combination of action and crime. Much better than Oceans 11 and 12...This movie also has one of the best actors working today. Yea, Ryan Reynolds, who also did a great performance on this one too. this film showed he could play in action stories, with his humor always presented in a right direction.The most valuable thing in this movie is it's plot. Kevin,Sam and Rob are three smart, young thieves and they have plan how to steal some diamonds from a high security building. But, much experienced criminal, Leo, steals it first with the assist of Kevin planes and blackmails them...The twist is really fantastic, when it turns out that Rob is on their side, after all...Highly recommendable, for all you good action kind a people.