Where to watch Criminal
3 Stars
Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) is a CIA agent on a mission in London tracking down a shadowy hacker nicknamed “The Dutchman” (Michael Pitt). When he gets mysteriously ambushed and killed, an experimental procedure is used to transfer his memories into dangerous convict Jerico Stewart (Kevin Costner). When he wakes up with the CIA agent’s memories, his mission is to find The Dutchman and make the deal with him before the hacker launches ICBM’s and starts World War III. But complications soon arise and the mission turns personal.
If ‘Face-Off’ and ‘Memento’ colluded with Jason Bourne, then ‘Criminal’ would be the by-product. The film is a mid-range action thriller— the type of movie that requires a serious amount of suspension of disbelief. If one can accept the film’s concept and some glaring logic gaps, they’ll be free to enjoy another good performance from Costner. Gary Oldman hams it up as the law enforcement agent, while Tommy Lee Jones goes for a subtle approach in a thankless role. The supporting cast, all of whom regularly headline films themselves, are well cast and suited for their roles.
‘Criminal’ features foreign locations, glossy photography, and plenty of action. But it also drags in the second act when it should be gaining momentum. The script offers some offbeat moments that explain character; I’m glad they have been left in the final cut, and the film is a richer experience because of it. Costner’s character, adorned with a crew cut, sporting a cruel nature, and delivering his dialogue in an octave one step above a growl, is able to hone an on-screen persona previously unseen. Ariel Vromen, whom I was not previously familiar with, gives the film a somber and deadly serious tone, which is the right choice because adding humor to this story could have veered the project into parody easily.
Directed by: Ariel Vromen
Written by: Douglas Cook, David Weisberg
Starring: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot