Crime 101

Crime 101 could indeed be called ‘Crime Movie 101’ instead but should also be celebrated for being a slick, watchable and star-packed crime thriller all too often lazily thrown onto streaming services these days.

There was once a time where this sort of film was Oscar bait and theatre filling and whilst this particular example does nothing new with the form, it is a thoroughly enjoyable throwback.

It feels hefty at nearly two and a half hours but never dull and keeps the plot fairly lean and matter of fact.

It also looks impeccable. Some dreamy shots of LA at night, some decent car chases and interesting shot choices (the ‘stick the camera to different parts of the car’ bits are nice.)

Filled with movie star power, feeling slyly modern as well as a little old skool, and keeping things thoroughly on the ‘straight ahead, logical, smart’ side it all just works to offer a nice and tidy Sunday evening watch.

It’s nothing you won’t have seen before, and you could arguably play a drinking game to some of the script and plot choice cliches, but it earns points for feeling surprisingly fresh despite its obviousness.

Perhaps that says more about cinematic trends than anything else but a solidly made, crime-oriented action film of this type attached to the requisite star power is always a winning formula.

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