I attended a preview screening of this London.
Its not a riotous comedy but it is a charming funny Sunday matinée sort of film with very likable stars.
Eddie Murphy is looking more energetic and revitalised close to what he used to be in the 80s which is great to see. He isn't at his funniest but he was still entertaining, playing a hoodlum thief. You wouldn't think he is 50 years old.
Ben Stiller...well he was never the funniest guy in the world so recently, he seems to like to play it straight and likable with the odd subtle comical reactions which he does well. And I like it. He plays the mastermind of the heist and is confident he can pull off a mission impossible heist with his rather incompetent friends. But we as an audience are not so confident in him, particularly as he cant win a chess game with his boss. This gives the mission more excitement as they are prone to tripping over their own plans.
But there are points where some comical dialogue falls flat and thats where I would drop my rating slightly. It tries too hard sometimes. There was some promising chemistry between Murphy and Stiller but that fizzled out quickly. However there is a nice rapport between Tea Leoni and Stiller but that also does not get enough screen time. Leoni is excellent and adds a little gravitas as an FBI agent. And the reliable Alan Alda stamps his authority on the cast with aplomb.
This is a fun and entertaining movie with a little demand for suspension of disbelief. Has a nice story and doesn't try to be too smart. You will probably forget this movie next week but as long as you are not expecting too much, you will leave the cinema with a smile on your face.
Its not a riotous comedy but it is a charming funny Sunday matinée sort of film with very likable stars.
Eddie Murphy is looking more energetic and revitalised close to what he used to be in the 80s which is great to see. He isn't at his funniest but he was still entertaining, playing a hoodlum thief. You wouldn't think he is 50 years old.
Ben Stiller...well he was never the funniest guy in the world so recently, he seems to like to play it straight and likable with the odd subtle comical reactions which he does well. And I like it. He plays the mastermind of the heist and is confident he can pull off a mission impossible heist with his rather incompetent friends. But we as an audience are not so confident in him, particularly as he cant win a chess game with his boss. This gives the mission more excitement as they are prone to tripping over their own plans.
But there are points where some comical dialogue falls flat and thats where I would drop my rating slightly. It tries too hard sometimes. There was some promising chemistry between Murphy and Stiller but that fizzled out quickly. However there is a nice rapport between Tea Leoni and Stiller but that also does not get enough screen time. Leoni is excellent and adds a little gravitas as an FBI agent. And the reliable Alan Alda stamps his authority on the cast with aplomb.
This is a fun and entertaining movie with a little demand for suspension of disbelief. Has a nice story and doesn't try to be too smart. You will probably forget this movie next week but as long as you are not expecting too much, you will leave the cinema with a smile on your face.