Heist 88 (2023) User Reviews

Did they runout of money at the end.

[efd-10467 · 4/10 · 3 December 2023]

Heist movies need that element of fun and adventure, this movie heads in that direction but doesn't quite get there.

The plot gets a little confusing and in trying to understand the moves involved it leaves the viewer lost at times.

It is also a little hard to believe that 3 people on the spot agree to help rob a bank when approached by a total stranger, it's just too convenient.

All if a sudden it's the heist day and the excitement builds and they are nearly away and then the movie ends ! I just sat there going, really ? Is that it ?

Either they ran out of money or the director got confused because it is too blunt and quick leaving many questions unanswered, very badly done.

.

Could have been better

[arsalanweb · 5/10 · 27 October 2023]

"Heist 88" is a film that struggles to reach the heights of a thrilling heist movie. While it has its moments, it falls short in several key areas. The storyline had the potential for greatness, but the execution left much to be desired. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to truly invest in their fates.

The action sequences were decent, and there were some tense moments, but the overall pacing of the film felt uneven. The editing and cinematography were passable, but they didn't stand out in any significant way.

On the positive side, the film did have a few twists and turns that added some intrigue to the plot. However, the predictability of some of the major plot points took away from the excitement.

In summary, "Heist 88" is an average heist movie that doesn't quite deliver on the expectations one might have for this genre. It's a watchable film if you're a fan of the genre, but it falls short of being a standout or memorable entry. I would give it a 5 out of 10, as it has its moments but ultimately fails to rise above mediocrity.

Testing the System

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 8 October 2023]

Jeremy Horne (Courtney B. Vance) is the Dude in Chicago 1988. He knows the world of finance and is going to prison in 21 days. He meets his struggling nephew Marshall (Bentley Green) and his three friends who are involved in the banking transfers of money. Computer systems will soon be introduced and this is the last few weeks of this old system which requires a code and a voice confirmation. Jeremy convinces the struggling black folks who work at the bank for minimum wage to do the wire transfer to an account in Geneva.

The film is inspired by a true story. There is a message about racial discrimination in the workplace which "causes" black people to be criminals. Easy to watch crime drama.

Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.

Weak script, dialogue, acting, ending..

[duhbearz-14594 · 3/10 · 6 November 2023]

This is like a high budget junior college film . There is A LOT of bad acting in this film, but it may not be the actors fault. I sat watching and often predicting what the next line would be. The script dialog is so weak, so bad, so trite, I was embarrased for the actors who are forced to regurgitate it. Simply awful. You never get to know more than one character well enough to care whether they are successful in this heist. It was also comical how many of the young people were against committing this crime ( and I have no problem robbing an American bank) and then, very suddenly all fear and scruples are laid aside and they're all in. Lazy writing and so what storytelling.. The ending was lazy and weak. I'm surprised Showtime ever let this see the light of day on their channel.

Good, but could have been great

[xirjvvk · 7/10 · 3 October 2023]

When I saw the cast included Courtney B Vance and Keith David, I immediately decided to watch it thinking it's gotta be a great movie! It was a very good movie with excellent cinematography, excellent acting by a group of eclectic characters And the backdrop was one of my favorite cities, Chicago. The movie at first was a bit plodding, but came together as the characters developed. The only reason I didn't give it an 8 or 9 was in my opinion, the movie lacked a "spark." There were some portions where the characters faced some real danger, but I didn't feel it. Bravo to Courtney B Vance for undertaking this project and adding an excellent cast.

Poor writing, simple story and abc ending

[Xavier_Stone · 1/10 · 19 January 2024]

After a few minutes into this film you get the idea that the writer is still stuck in high school. A quick review of his credentials and the directors and you'll see that neither of them can create anything above a 4.7 rating. Not much hope here.

I stayed as long as I dared, then started skipping. In heist films there has to be some sort of tension or creative characters or some risk involved. Mostly with this film we have high school kids acting tough and it just doesn't look natural against brain dead cops.

I guess the writer wanted to let everyone know that kids can be smarter than the police. Sure. Congrats. I got the ending and got the bare minimum of a payoff ending. Time wasted. 2/10 for some interesting scenes, not much else.

Left me feeling hungry

[durwardwhite · 7/10 · 17 January 2024]

This started out with so much promise. Courtney B. Vance played a masterful role. The ensemble cast was very believable and gave a very realistic performance. But... as the movie progressed I was waiting for the climax and kept on waiting. I understand this was loosely based on a true story but since they were already taking liberties with the plot they could have spiced it up. The ending was so anticlimactic it left me unsatisfied. Don't get me wrong the ending was a surprise but it could have given the audience more. There was no where are they now. There was no follow up on the money. It just ended.

Incomplete

[waynemubiana · 5/10 · 23 October 2023]

These movie need's a part 2.the movie is great but why did it have to ended at such a incomplete state ,leave me with a big question mark . The story line is excellent but the guy he played them well without knowing anything and how ge planned it with the cops he was shaking and.the preacher is an excellent master plans to take in action what was in is mind but I'm curious to how the next part is coming and how it is going to come to end,i enjoyed the movie with a lovely dace but how it ended i wasn't happy at all,too much effort is needed to complete the movie and you will always be the best planner.

A better than average film that could have been more

[Taco_Sanchez · 7/10 · 1 November 2023]

I'm afraid that this movie may suffer from unfair comparisons to the Ocean's films or other such films in the heist genre where the idea of realism is completely suspended.

This film is not that - instead, it's a semi-realistic look at three low wage overworked and under appreciated bank employees along with their friend who is a struggling music producer. Each has problems in their personal/professional life to overcome - be it having a pregnant wife and having to live with a brother in law, to having to take care of younger siblings, owing money to loan sharks or repeatedly being passed over for promotions.

They come into contact with a smooth talking, seemingly genuine yet ruthless criminal played by the underrated and supremely talented Courtney B. Vance - a man who has seemingly convinced himself and who persuades others (including the audience) that his criminal activity is justified. We see the planning of the crime.

It will make the participants multimillionaires but also put them on the run, forcing them to leave town and their families.

While I am not Black and can't know that experience, I could certainly relate to the message of economic inequality presented with the juxtaposition of the worker's struggles compared to the man born into wealth and privilege who bought his wife a BMW as a status symbol. I've also personally experienced something similar to the friend who found an error that saved his employer a tremendous amount of money, only to be awarded with a cheap gift card.

There were parts of this film that truly delivered, yet other areas where it didn't live up to the high bar it set. The ending, for such a great set up, felt a little rushed. I'd give it a 6.5 if I could, but since I can't it deserves rounding up.

As I've said - it's not an Ocean's flick where everything just magically works and the "thieves" get away. But it's an entertaining, heist based morality play which gets you thinking.

What is this BS?

[adycoro · 1/10 · 9 February 2024]

This movie doesn't make any sense. Why was he betrayed? By that 140 IQ guy? Not even 50 iq i would say. Jeremy Horne wasnt intending to screw them. Everyone would have got their share of the deal. So what was that low IQ guy problem?

I have no idea how such a disaster comes to life. Bad director, bad script, bad idea, nothing makes sense. Not worth watching.

This movie doesn't make any sense. Why was he betrayed? By that 140 IQ guy? Not even 50 iq i would say. Jeremy Horne wasnt intending to screw them. Everyone would have got their share of the deal. So what was that low IQ guy problem?

I have no idea how such a disaster comes to life. Bad director, bad script, bad idea, nothing makes sense. Not worth watching.

This movie is worth watching, dont be fooled by its rating!

[frederico_r · 8/10 · 1 October 2023]

Heist 88, has managed to keep me interested and its fair to say, the rating for this movie at 4.6/10 is misleading. Focused on the banking industry back in the 80's, the movie guides you through the gap in technology and security measures in relation to wire transfers. Most importantly it also highlights the struggle on African-Americans who although have the knowledge and experience and work in high risk security positions, still make minimum wage and have challenges in their lives due to low income. In the final scenes however, a powerful message that showcased how the thought of greed and wealth is no match against high moral values, integrity & loyalty in certain people.

Great movie.

The chemistry of a heist.

[tanamn-60899 · 6/10 · 5 February 2024]

The film works through a given opportunity for a criminal to strike riches ine last time and the only way to do it is with a team of young gullible inside employees willing to leave their ordinary day to day life for an escape to a hidden affair full of riches. The film story is built on the trust and bonding between the youths and their ability to coordinate with their new criminal tasks while the law seeks to prevail. The sequencing in the film is geared towards building suspense and tension on whether or not they will pull off the hiest. I would recommend this to anyone who like the Ocean's movies.

An hour & 23 minutes of my life I can't get back😖

[tiffanyrimmer · 3/10 · 18 February 2024]

Why?!?! Why would you end a movie like this??? Like, what the freak is this??? What were you thinking???

Really! Mad I even watched it just because of the ending!!! You're talking about anxiety. My roommate was so upset of how it ended that it F'd up his buzz. Just not nice at all. That was very mean and how rude. You don't need a part 2 for a true story... just tell us how everyone's life turned out after this! Literally 7 more minutes to make an even 1hour 30.

If you have not seen this already, then let me (along with many others) tell ya... DON'T. Do not waste your time. Watch something more suspenseful that won't piss you off with an unfinished ending. Geez. Piiiiised. Ugh! I KNEW I should have watched "13 minutes" Tornado movie and called it a night. Oh and ohhhh... Angela Bassett put her NAME on this crap. What. Angela? You agreed to this😲? Girl! 😳Smdh.

Not professional

[callmepaully · 5/10 · 2 April 2024]

An interesting story on this movie could not save it from the bad writing and flat acting. It feels like a film school project. Over emoting and corny dialog are a lot to try to escape.

The movie claims to be based on actual events. I was not familiar with the story, before watching the movie. The idea that a heist could be pulled of in such a manner is what made the film have any interest whatsoever. Because the events took place in the 1980's when banks were making the switch from humans and paper over to computers and bits it is hard to imagine that more people didn't try something similar. Sadly, the production value of this movie are nowhere near the money the robbers stole.

Not the type of black excellence you want to see.

[therealjaysmoke · 6/10 · 19 October 2023]

The saddest part of this movie is the fact that it's based off true events. For the longest time, all Heist movies are spearheaded by some smart white kid/guy who recruits other white peeps to carry out his foul proof plan. Most atimes, they succeed and when they don't succeed, it's because of greed, miscalculation etc, but never was snitching part of those reasons. So it baffles me that when it came to an all black heist, cowardice and snitching is the reason for their failure. Are they trying to tell us something about the black race?

I was really excited to finally see a Heist movie focused solely on black people only to be let down by such an embarrassing ending.

Acting was spot on, I enjoyed all the main cast. ABC I lived the 80s theme used. But the ending was just unfortunate.

Courtney Vance as a Criminal Mastermind is Dope!

[mariodrobinson · 8/10 · 3 October 2023]

I love Black movies that tell stories from perspectives that black people can relate to. Stories that are not about infidelity, selling drugs, or other stereotypical things that are sold to us daily. I found the struggle and enticement extremely relatable. Each character seemed to represent someone i knew in my family or circle of friends. I also love a film that keeps my attention without the use of overcharged sex scenes or forcing a love connection. Thank you to those involved in the making of this film. It was a thrilling ride from beginning to end. I didn't want it to end. I want to see the years afterward or even the story of how the uncle and his friends gained their wealth in detail. This movie opened up a world of curiosities and left me satisfied but wanting more, and i love it! An entire unverse has been created, and each character has a story worth telling. Well done and well played.

. Director: @directormenhaj Writer/producer: @dwaynejohnsoncochran Starring: @courtneybvance who also executive produces this with @im.angelabassett !

. #heist88 #courtneynvance #directedbymenhaj #directormenhaj #dewaynejohnsoncochran #blackmovies #storieswerelateto #bankrobbery #criminalmastermind #movie.

Not your typical heist movie

[ceciliasamartin · 10/10 · 2 October 2023]

I was drawn to the fact this film was inspired by a huge bank heist in 80's I had never heard about. I was even more intrigued that it was achieved by ordinary people who worked at the bank. I expecting a shoot em up, and was pleasantly surprised with something much more intriguing. More of a psychological thriller. I loved the characters and got totally caught up in their dilemma. I don't think I would ever dare do anything like this, but watching the film truly made me wonder. The acting was excellent. Vance was smooth, ruthless and likable all at once. There was never a dull moment. I cared about the characters and will be looking up happened to them in real life. Highly recommend.