Genre: Crime/Bank Heist/Thriller

Director: Spike Lee

Certificate: Inside Man was rated 15A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 15 years of age or upwards. Persons under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = strong. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = mild. Language = strong.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Inside Man

Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) and his partner Detective Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejiofor) get the job of dealing with a bank robbery that has turned into a hostage situation.  The robbers, lead by Dalton Russell (Clive Owen), are highly organised and don't seem too perturbed with their predicament.  Detective Frazier finds that his negotiation skills are not getting him anywhere, and it's as if Dalton is in control of the situation, not the police.

Inside Man brings something new to the bank heist story. The film is well paced and builds up plenty of intrigue to keep things interesting.  It transpires, as the story unfolds, that this is no ordinary bank job. This suspicion is strengthened when the Mayor involves Madeline White (Jodie Foster) in the negotiations.  She is a powerful player, with "friends" in high places.  She also has her own hidden agenda.

The story is told by jumping forward, from time-to-time, into the future, and this actually gives clues to what is going to happen, but enough is left untold to keep the audience guessing. These little teasers - glimpses of the outcome - add a little something different to what could easily have become mundane.

It's not all good news however, as there are a couple of scenes that looked a little staged.  For example some of the shots of the police surrounding the bank didn't always look realistic. There are also one or two improbable bits that need to be overlooked.

The film is undoubtedly helped along by the great cast. Denzel Washington and Clive Owen are very good in their roles and an interesting battle of wits develops between their characters.

Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Willem Dafoe and Chiwetel Ejiofor make for a very strong and talented supporting cast.

Bottom Line: An entertaining film that brings plenty of intrigue to the familiar bank heist story. If you enjoy Inside Man you might also enjoy Ocean's Eleven or The Score.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2006.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:

DENZEL WASHINGTON: Man On Fire,  Out Of Time,  Remember The Titans,  The Manchurian Candidate.

CLIVE OWEN: Closer,  King Arthur,  Sin City,  The Bourne Identity.

JODIE FOSTER: The Panic Room.

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER: A Beautiful Mind,  Cold Creek Manor,  National Treasure,  Syriana.

WILLEM DAFOE:  Finding Nemo,  Once Upon A Time In Mexico,  Spiderman,  The Aviator.

CHIWETEL EJIOFOR:  Love Actually.

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Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Willem Dafoe, Chiwetel Ejiofor

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