Stolen

Everyone has a guilty pleasure. At some point, we’ve all rolled up the car windows and sinfully partook in a horrible pop song, or sat through a really bad show simply because we can’t turn away. This is a fact of life; look at the ratings for Jersey Shore! Well, I’m here to admit it: I love Nicolas Cage films. Yes, even Wicker Man (how could you not?! His daring escape plan involved a teddy bear suit!) Since the 80’s, I think I could only pick out a half dozen films he’s done that I didn’t enjoy. Not that they were all good films, but the majority have been thoroughly enjoyable, at the very least watchable on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

“Nothing to eat…no one to drink.”

Welcome to Stolen. I’m not saying this is a great film. Point of fact, its relatively forgettable, but (!) it has Nicolas Cage, a few bank robberies, and at least one car chase. It doesn’t break any new ground. Actually, a lot of the elements of the film felt like old Nicolas Cage movies, but in my admitted bias, I’ll accept repackaged material for a new entry in the Cage catalog. The plot is simple: big elaborate bank robbery with a small team, Will Montgomery (Cage) is the mastermind of the operation. They steal $10 million, in their escape, one of the team goes Rambo on the group, and Montgomery is the only one caught. He goes to prison for eight years, and comes out ready to start a new life. In trying to patch things up with his estranged, rebellious daughter he gets caught up with his old crew who wants the money from the bank robbery.

There are heavy doses of Gone in 60 Seconds, Taken, The Score and a slew of other cookie-cutter action flicks peppered in for good measure. The plot direction is predictable, and the ending foreseeable. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a decent sit, and a fun action movie. As is necessity for all bank heist films, there are interesting methods to get what’s in the vault out of the vault, some tense moments with police, and everyone’s under a tight countdown at all times. At just over an hour and a half, Stolen doesn’t require much investment of time.

“I’ll return to my life now.”

Besides Nicolas Cage (did I mention the film has Nicolas Cage?), Stolen also stars some familiar faces in Malin Akerman, probably best known for her role as Silk Specter in Watchmen, as well as Danny Huston (Children of Men, the Aviator) and Josh Lucas, who has his own impressive résumé including Stealth, Hulk, A Beautiful Mind, and American Psycho. Directed by Simon West, who also had directorial credits on:

• Expendables 2
• The Mechanic
• Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
• The General’s Daughter
• Con Air

West is no stranger to action film, and this is up to par with the above list. Now, that’s not to say that Stolen is for everyone. Stolen, and other mediocre action films are not a genre for everyone (and by this point, they should be a genre to themselves), but for those that enjoy a bit of brain-candy, and simplistic bravado in their cinema experience, here’s your next serving. Stolen had an extremely short run in theaters on September 14th 2012, where it was up against The Master, and Resident Evil: Retribution; both of which had far more marketing and promotion. In total, Stolen was a box office flop, earning just under $200,000 of a $35 million budget. Currently available on Netflix Instant, under New Releases, as well as DVD and Blu-ray home media, where it was released on January 8th 2013.