Simply Perfect

A Major Disappointment

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

If you rated this movie any less than 7/10 then your not sure what a good movie is. The storyline isn't exactly perfect but it works simply because of the characters. The three main characters of Joe Blake, Terry Collins and Kate Wheeler are impossible not to fall in love with. Bruce Willis as Joe Blake, though one of his least action packed roles is easily one of his most menacing, but funny and charming at the same time. Billy Bob Thornton as his high strung paranoid partner Terry Collins is unforgettable and hilarious, and it works great with Bruce. I've watched this 100 times and still watch it whenever it's on. Funny, smooth with a little action, a little romance and a very nice twist at the end. Watch this movie, if you don't enjoy it then like I said you don't know what entertainment is.9/10 stars. Anyone smell burning feathers?

Joe Blake (Bruce Willis) and Terry Lee Collins (Billy Bob Thornton) are a bank robbing team. They break out of prison and come up with a different scheme. This time around they kidnap the bank managers and rob the bank before it opens. They become known as The Sleepover Bandits. Everything is going well until bored housewife Kate Wheeler (Cate Blanchett) runs over Terry.This should be much better than it actually is. It has veteran director Barry Levinson, and great actors. But something is missing. There is a lack of energy. There is action but they're shot weakly. There are jokes but they lack the punch. Maybe they needed a real comedian in one of three lead roles. The three leads are great actors who sometimes do a few jokes in their roles. They aren't actually comedians.

"Bandits" is one of those comedies where everything is so perfect that it is just a joy to watch. That feeling of enjoyment is from a clever plot, and acting and directing that never lets the story become a farce.The writing, directing (Baltimore's Barry Levenson) and acting are all superb. I particularly appreciated Cate Blanchet's performance as Kate Wheeler, an unappreciated gorgeous wife in despair because she has prepared a fabulous gourmet dinner and then her dolt of a husband decides to skip dinner. (I recently saw a serious drama, "The Man Who Cried," in which Cate Blanchett was also terrific. She hadn't come to my attention previously.) Billy Bob Thornton also was great as a neurotic convict/bank robber, and Bruce Willis uses a tough guy persona that has worked exceedingly well in such previous films as "Pulp Fiction." The plot, derived from a true criminal case, is about a pair of convict buddies who break out of prison and begin robbing banks to finance their dream of a plush retirement in Mexico. But they don't like the dangers that ordinary bank robbers risk, so they come up with a novel approach of getting the bank managers to let them into rob the banks in the morning before the bank is open to customers. But when Cate Blanchett's character enters their life, a romantic conflict ensues. Troy Garity is very good as an easily distracted movie stunt man (I don't recall if he was a friend or relative) in need of some excitement who jumps at the opportunity to drive the bank robbers' get-away-car.The story is told as a narrative reflecting back on the events that led up to the narration's current time. The end has a surprise twist that I was able to guess because of something included earlier in the film.If you are old enough or fortunate enough to have seen Alex Guiness' 1950's era classic crime comedies, "The Ladykillers" and "The Lavender Hill Mob," I think you will find that "Bandits" brings them to mind, despite "Bandits" being a less broad form of comedy.

I don't know for how long, but my mom has been begging me to watch Bandits, I think because I keep telling her how gorgeous Bruce Willis is, she just knows what I will normally like. So, I finally broke down and watched Bandits last night and over all, I'd have to say that I did like it. It was a different kind of story that was refreshing to be honest, it had an interesting story that really has not been done before. It also has some terrific actors not to mention that all present the story very well. Bruce, Billy Bob, and Cate all had a great chemistry that made the story funny and lovable. But for me, as much as I am a fan of Billy Bob and Bruce, I think Cate was the one who stole the movie and really made the story just such a pleasure to watch.Terry and Joe are two bank robber bandits on the run from the law. They're not your average bank robbers, they are charming and usually get their way with robbing every bank. They are also combined the perfect man: Terry is smart and sensitive and Joe is adventurous and spontaneous. One day when they have to meet each other, Terry hijacks a car with a unhappily, depressed married woman, Kate, who begs them if she can stay with them. Joe decides to let her stay, and they both end up falling for her. But she loves them both and is now on the run with them instead of being their hostage.Bandits is just a fun film over all. I'd say that it's enjoyable and tells the story very well, it has some dark humor in it as well that makes it in some ways light hearted and gives you a breath as well as a laugh. Cate was so beautiful and proved that she could also do a comedy as well as she brilliantly acts in drama's. Bruce and Billy Bob were so much fun to watch, especially in their final bank robbery scene, you'll see what I mean, it's a cool ending. I would recommend Bandits, it's a good film with great actors, just sit back and enjoy.6/10