Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Matt Dillon | ... | Mike Cochrane | |
Jean Reno | ... | Quinn | |
Laurence Fishburne | ... | Baines | |
Amaury Nolasco | ... | Palmer | |
Fred Ward | ... | Duncan Ashcroft | |
Milo Ventimiglia | ... | Eckehart | |
Skeet Ulrich | ... | Dobbs | |
Columbus Short | ... | Ty Hackett | |
Andre Jamal Kinney | ... | Jimmy Hackett | |
Andrew Fiscella | ... | Dispatcher #1 | |
Nick Jameson | ... | Homeless Man | |
Glenn Taranto | ... | Joe the Cook | |
Lorna Raver | ... | Child Welfare Agent | |
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Garry Guerrier | ... | Federal Guard |
Robert Harvey | ... | Bank Guard |
The war veteran, Ty Hackett, is hired to work as security guard by the Eagle Shield Security where his old friend Mike Cochroone works. Ty is having financial difficulties after the death of his father, and is raising his brother Jimmy alone. He teams up with Mike's brother-in-law, Baines, and their coworkers Quinn, Palmer and Dobbs. One night, Mike invites Ty to join in the robbery of two armored trucks transporting forty-two million dollars. The reluctant Ty accepts after Mike promises that nobody would be hurt in the heist. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I had been amazed by director Antal's Kontroll back in 2003. His first American project, Vacancy, was less impressive but a decent start. Armored is his second feature and while the visual signature is recognizable, the film never rises above the level of a B movie.
It's a shame because the main premise has all the ingredients for twists and turns and the ensemble cast featuring many quality actors should be able to deliver. Antal could have made a great heist film but instead goes for an action flick. Then again he could have shot a cool action flick but it doesn't really deliver in that department either.
What you are left with is one implausible situation after another, a group of poorly sketched characters bicker and fight over a sum of money. If you look past the sharp cinematography, cast and the tight music score, you're left with what could have been a below average direct-to-video featuring Van Damme or Seagal.
This was probably the most disappointing movie for me in quite some time.