Massive explosions of CO4, sleek cars swiftly swerving through traffic and well-dressed, good-looking men exchanging lukewarm banter characterized what some of have called “the summer’s hottest action film.”
“Takers,” features acting veterans like Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, Hayden Christiansen, Paul Walker and Michael Ealy, and music crossovers T.I. and Chris Brown. The movie follows five close-knit, clever professional thieves as they undertake the most daunting heist of their careers in the course of a week.
Singer Chris Brown held his own as one of the least experienced members of the cast, but did not stray far from his traditional roles, depicting the playful juvenile delinquent Jesse Attica. Brown performed the extremely demanding stunts, including jumping over cars and out of stories-high buildings, seemingly with ease. Brown even managed to competently maneuver his way through the movie’s slightly heavier emotional scenes.
T.I., who is also fairly new to the big screen, stood out as one of the stars of the film. He stole the screen as a recently released convict, Ghost, who returned to the group after five years in prison seeking compensation and, ultimately, revenge.
The calculating Ghost kept a well-groomed image throughout most of the film before finally betraying the group. The actor showed off his ever-expanding range, as his role swept from the comic relief during the most intense scenes to the conniving deviant consumed with greed and determined to settle his score.
Idris Elba also had a standout role as Gordon Jennings, eldest member and leader of the pack. As the steady, reliable hand who guides the group through their operations, Jennings also serves as a paternal figure to his older, drug-addicted sister, Naomi.
The fast pace of “Takers” keeps viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from excitement to fear to anxiety to relief, all building up to the final disappointment at the tragic downfall of the majority of the characters. According to Jennings, however, the reward far outweighs the risks when he utters,”We’re takers, gents. That’s what we do for a living: We take.”