2012 Review #4: Man on a Ledge

 Man on a Ledge

Rated PG-13

1 Hour 42 Minutes

Starring:
Sam Worthington
Elizabeth Banks
Ed Harris
Jamie Bell
Anthony Mackie

MY GRADE:
B-

Preposterous is a word critics drool over when reviewing movies such as Man on a Ledge. Unrealistic is probably in second place. They LOVE to say it. Critics just love to think they are to smart for movies like this. Can a man jump off a building 200+ feet in the air and land on one of those inflatable catchers from a long distance? No, of course not. Can two people who have no prior experience committing a single crime pull off a high risk, high security diamond heist? Don't make me laugh. But this ladies and gentleman, is what we call a fictional film. It's implausible from the moment the credits begin. If people can't go into a theater, and just shut your brain off for a movie you already know is going to be ridiculous and just be entertained.

That being said, there isn't much to say about Man on a Ledge. It has a pretty complicated plot which does make sense for the most part. It jumps back and forth between multiple plot lines that all tie in together and are all relevant. There's nothing that happens that could have been omitted, as "preposterous" as it was. The story wasn't stupid and dumbed down. Sure it was silly at times, but hell, it was fun to watch. I was never once bored watching the movie. It was fast paced, and for the most part, it was crafted well by a first time non documentary director. There were some pretty tense moments where I didn't know what was going to happen.

I liked the performances. Sam Worthington is finding himself a nice niche in the action film world. I'm guessing he's the new bad ass. Even though he doesn't do a lot of tough guy stuff, like bashing heads in or blowing people to kingdom come (with a gun, I mean). But he gets to dangle on a ledge (yes, he actually stood on a ledge, this was no CGI or studio work) and make it believable. Elizabeth Banks was good, but it's still weird seeing her in a non comedic movie. She held her own though. Ed Harris is so good at playing a creep, and no different here. Jamie Bell was good but I didn't care for his partner in crime, Genesis Rodriguez. I didn't like their chemistry, but whatever. Their story was the silliest, but not for unbelievable reasons (because it was INSANELY preposterous) but it was because the way they bickered while all this crazy stuff was going on. Oh well, not that big of a deal.

I won't really remember this movie by years end I'm sure. But for now, for the time being, this was a high octane, fun, slick movie. I rather enjoyed it.