Safe House

If you happened to catch the trailer for Safe House then you probably realised that it pretty much gives the whole film away. On now seeing the film I can confirm that this is the case and even a few of the twists that weren’t shown in the previews are badly telegraphed in the film as well. Does this kill the film? Not as badly as you may suppose. When you think about it certain film genres (OK, rom-coms) lend themselves to standards and it’s fair to say when you go and see an action film starring Denzel Washington then a similar parallel can be applied. Also, this is director Daniel Espinosa’s first mainstream film so perhaps he can be forgiven for not picking anything too strenuous plot wise. Shot on location in Cape Town this has Washington as Tobin Frost, an ex-CIA agent turned criminal, who enters a safe house for protection, but soon finds himself and the ‘housekeeper’ Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) under attack. Frost and Weston go on the lam together and the rest is a bit of Bourne, a bit of Midnight Run and a lazy MacGuffin in the shape of some computer files containing shadowy information (how original!). Washington and Reynolds are both fine, but Espinosa gives with one hand and then takes with the other. Most of the action scenes are badly shot and edited and the shaky cam effect doesn’t add anything to the mix. It’s clear Espinosa’s strengths lie when the pace has been turned down as there’s a great scene of dialogue between Frost and Weston where they discuss the realities of having to kill someone and a foot chase in and through a football stadium is the smartest moment in the film (though why half the crowd is outside the stadium when the match is going on is perhaps harder to explain). Overall, this is as average a thriller you’ll see these days and if you know what you’re letting yourself in for then you’ll probably get the most enjoyment out of it. It’s just a shame that there isn’t a bit more imagination in the screenplay as this could have meant a tenser and more enthralling film.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Way too long and the thrills are at a minimum, but Reynolds and Washington as the anti-buddies keep this in check. Rating: 6/10.