Inside Man [Blu-ray] [2006]

In the tense thriller INSIDE MAN, a bank robbery leads to a number of people being taken hostage and it’s up to NYPD hostage negotiators Detectives Keith Frazier and Bill Mitchell to secure their release. The detectives are sent to the scene with orders to contact the ringleader of the gang, Dalton Russell (Clive Owen, SIN CITY), and ensure the release of the 50 bank staff and patrons taken hostage. However, things fail to progress as smoothly as the duo had hoped, with Russell proving to be an intelligent and calm operator that is able to stay one step ahead of the police. The situation is further complicated when power player Madeline White (Jodie Foster, PANIC ROOM) requests a meeting with Russell. Acclaimed director Spike Lee (DO THE RIGHT THING, MALCOLM X) stamps his own individual mark on the action thriller genre--a genre that he doesn’t normally work in--with INSIDE MAN, a film full of smart twists, snappy dialogue, and interesting character developments. However, the reoccurring theme of ethnic politics displayed in Lee’s previous work is once again prevalent and he once again decides to use New York as the backdrop for the action. Lee manages to turn what could have been a standard thriller into a stylish, kinetic and ultra-sharp film. Denzel Washington (TRAINING DAY) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (KINKY BOOTS) produce sterling performances as the two detectives attempting to control the volatile situation, while the film also greatly benefits from the skills of Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, and Willem Defoe (SPIDER-MAN). The dense, multi-layered, yet always entertaining plot combined with Lee’s adrenaline-fuelled style makes for a superb and breath-taking film.