Plot: What’s it about?
I’ve remarked in some of my previous reviews at how some actors appear in films that, well, most of us have never heard of. There are a few exceptions, of course. I think it’s safe to say that every movie Tom Cruise has appeared in is somewhat noteworthy. That aside, hopefully I’ve made my point as I’d not even heard of Crime 101. It’s got a star studded cast with the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan and Mark Ruffalo to name a few. But switching gears to the movie itself, I think comparisons will aboud to two “Los Angeles” films – Michael Mann’s 1995 thriller Heat as well as William Friedkin’s 80’s saga To Live and Die in L.A. Both are great in their own right, but still pay tribute to the City of Angels and all it stands for. Is Crime 101 the second-coming or just a blatant rip off? Let’s find out.
Mike (Chris Hemsworth) is a jewel thief who chooses his targets systematically – along Route 101 in California as it allows for a quick getaway. He’s non-violent in his approach and his thefts are carried out in the most meticulous of manners. The film follows Mike along with some others who enter his life in one way or the other. There’s the obligatory police officer, Lou (Mark Ruffalo) who’s trying to track him down as well as an insurance agent, Sharon (Halle Berry) whom Mike tries to get involved in one of his heists. Then, we’ve got a biker with a temper in Ormon (Barry Keoghan) who’s been hired by a fence (Nick Nolte) to sabotage things. Lastly, we’ve got Maya (Monica Barbaro) with whom Mark begins a relationship with and their story adds to the tension and unpredictable nature of the film.
It might not sound like it, but that’s the plot of a 140 minute film. I think what caught me off guard, and after reading a few internet forums, is that people expected this to be another Heat. It’s not. It’s good and it’s watchable, but if you wan to watch Heat – watch that. It’s been said that Shakespeare covered every plot out there with his works. So, in essence, every single movie that’s ever been made has been around for centuries. While that’s not entirely true, it does help when watching this film. Is it derivative of other crime/heist films – of course. But it does enough to stand on its own as well. If these kinds of films are your thing, then this is a well-told story with a great cast that’ll certainly get (and keep) your attention.
Video: How’s it look?
The HEVC 2.39:1 4K image certainly looks the part. When looking at Chris Hemsworth or Halle Berry, we’re reminded of how unattractive we all really are. Kidding aside, it is a good-looking transfer and one that’s indicative of a new-to-the-format disc. Films about Los Angeles can either be bright and cheery, or go the other way looking rather dark and sinister. This one seems to have elements of both. Given the razor sharp detail in some scenes, I found others a tad bit soft. It’s not distracting in the least, but it also prohibits the film from getting that perfect score.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The film’s Dolby Atmos sound mix makes use of what it can and the pulsing musical score from Blanck Mass adds to the effect. By and large, this is a dialogue-driven film but there are a few spots when the Atmos track really shines. I “felt” a bit from the LFE in the third act, though the front stage handles the mix with absolute ease. It’s a nice, well-rounded mix that certainly contributes to the film’s overall architecture, but I found it oddly forgettable as well. Make sense?
Supplements: What are the extras?
Sorry folks, nothing to see here.
The Bottom Line
Good heist films don’t come along too often. This one has flaws, but then again most films do. I enjoyed the movie and was pleasantly surprised that I’d not heard of three major stars in this project. Go figure. This one will be a hard sell, though as it’s got no supplements. It’s for true fans only.
