Mr. Movie: ‘Criminal’ is an over used premise, but fun enough to recommend
Sporting the worst haircut in movie history, Kevin Costner plays Jericho Stewart. He’s a sociopath, and the perfect candidate for a brain procedure to let him house the memories of an American CIA spy with critical information on an anarchist out to destroy the world.
What the CIA spy was doing and its importance is locked in Stewart’s brain. Only Stewart doesn’t really want to play the game and escapes. But two personalities are at war within him, and things get a bit confusing.
Sounds like a bunch of other sci-fi combination thriller plots and — in reality — it is.
Three things to really like about Criminal. First, it is written by The Rock’s Douglas Cook and David Weisberg. Second, it’s directed by Ariel Vromen, who did the little seen and most excellent, The Iceman in 2012.
He’s a master storyteller.
Third, Costner — who really isn’t a good actor — just grunts most of his lines. It’s the perfect role for him, and he’s pretty good. His supporting cast — Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones and Gal Gadot — is equally good. Ryan Reynolds plays the CIA spy.
This one rates high on the guilty pleasure meter.
You Vs. Mr. Movie class planned April 23
Learn how to review movies at a You Vs. Mr. Movie class with the Herald’s movie reviewer, Gary Wolcott.
You will start by watching The Jungle Book April 23 at Carmike Cinemas, 1380 N. Louisiana St., Kennewick.
Afterward, the class will convene at Southridge High School, 3320 Southrdige Blvd., also in Kennewick. There, Mr. Movie will go through the ins and outs of how to review a movie.
It costs $23 and includes the ticket.
Register at bit.ly/MrMovieClass. When you register, Kennewick Community Education will contact you with the movie times and what time to be at the school.
Criminal
Director: Ariel Vromen
Stars: Kevin Costner, Gal Gadot, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Ryan Reynolds, Michael Pitt
Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars
Rated R for violence, language, mature themes. It’s playing at Regal’s Columbia Center 8, the Fairchild Cinemas 12 and Queensgate 12, and at Walla Walla Grand Cinemas.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it’s your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.
2 stars to 1 star: Don’t bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
This story was originally published April 14, 2016 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Mr. Movie: ‘Criminal’ is an over used premise, but fun enough to recommend."