Safe House
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Starring: Denzel Washington, Robert Patrick, Ryan Reynolds
Details: US/114mins 15A
Reynolds is ambitious rookie CIA Agent, Matt Weston. Stationed at a safe house in Cape Town South Africa, he has been hoping for a more exciting reassignment - pleading with his boss (a growling Brendan Gleeson) to move him to Paris. Just as he's settling in for another night full of boredom, he receives a call to let him know that dangerous wanted traitor, Tobin Frost (Washington) is to be housed there until he can be escorted back to America. When a heavily armed team turns up and attempts to extract Frost - killing a bunch of agents in the process - Weston must get him to another safe house before they're both killed. Meanwhile political red tape is causing havoc in CIA headquarters as the rookie agent struggles to control the situation.
Washington doesn't move outside of his comfort zone much these days; generally it's a Tony Scott production, where he plays an old fashioned, noble character of some sort - then watches the film rakes in the dough. With the odd exception that has really been the latter part of his career, so it's good to see him use his considerable charisma playing a villain - all be it a multifaceted one. Reynolds was another guy looking for the right kind of role, and while he's been better in less successful films, it's great that he gets to showcase his physicality in a grittier production.
Helmer Daniel Espinosa obviously had a stylistic mandate given to him by the upper brass at Universal and they quite probably had 'MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A BOURNE MOVIE' written across the top of it. And it does move and generally feel like it's in the same universe. But Safe House is still its own beast and it's plot, while fairly simplistic, allows the action to grow organically as it builds towards a fairly blistering conclusion.
A very well made and acted popcorn movie that hits fourth gear early on and rarely slows down.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
FilmBuff76
Denzel Washington continues to mine his many talents for another morally ambiguous role in Safe House. It's a solid, slickly efficient action thriller that starts quickly and doesn't slow down until the last few minutes. He plays a rogue CIA agent who turns himself in after disappearing for a number of years. Ryan Reynolds is the rookie CIA agent assigned to take him to a safe house. Then all hell breaks loose, as both men are hunted down by shadowy operatives. Making excellent use of his colourful Cape Town and South African locations, director Daniel Espinosa crafts some blistering fight sequences and shoot-outs. There's also some fine rapport between the two leads, as we wonder if Reynolds will "turn" and go rogue himself. As Claudia Winkleman and Danny Leigh pointed out on Film 2012 this week, you may feel exhausted by the end of it. However, that shouldn't put you off what is otherwise an enjoyable and worthwhile trip to the cinema.
Posted 25/02/2012 12:13:43
Slick
Don't waste your time - there has to be a story to engage your interest - buy Modern Warfare 3 if you're into this predictable nonsense
Posted 26/02/2012 21:59:25
ellegibbons
It wasnt the most gripping action movies, but still some nail biting moments, and sure its worth a look for Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds alone.
Posted 27/02/2012 10:36:43
Wheelz47
4 stars??? Very boring film...didnt care what happened to any of the character's in the end...just wanted it to be over. Could have waited for this to come out on the DVD.
Posted 27/02/2012 12:51:14
critical mass
Nodded off for a couple of minutes near the start. The whole thing was 'Bourne' too late really although Denzel and Ryan give good performances and I did actual quite enjoy it.
Posted 29/02/2012 01:25:37
Eve
Does exactly what it says in the ad. I enjoyed it, nothing ground breaking, just action packed entertainment. Just what I go to the cinema for.
Posted 29/02/2012 15:45:08
ifollowillingly
again impressed by FilmBuff76's review.. Thats 3 reviews now Ive read and trusted in. seen the movies then agreed with him. give him/her a job!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 03/03/2012 15:59:55
Linda
Great Film Denzel plays a great part in this and ryan reynolds is easy on the eye well worth going to see
Posted 23/03/2012 17:08:25
theotherguy
Denzel reprises the same role he has been playing for the last 10 years (the badass with a conscious) and no doubt he plays it well. The film thrums along at a frenetic pace and while containing the usual implausibilities it manages to hold your attention, so if you just want while away a couple of hours with a solid thriller then Safe House could be just the one for you.
Posted 26/03/2012 12:41:38
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you will be knackered by the end - mart1n
This film is pure Friday night entertainment, a good action thriller starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, the... MORE03/03/2012 14:45:39