Movie Review: Paranoia (2013) (** out of 5) - If you want to watch this film because it stars Gary Oldman or Harrison Ford, you may be in for a disappointment, Im sorry to say. Firstly they dont have much screen time and the time they do have seems to have been filmed in a hurry with little effort put into it by anyone. With a title like Paranoia, I expected suspicion, suspense, or even a little intrigue, but this movie not only lacks the characteristics its title suggests, its really devoid of any depth or originality. It only seems to be a vehicle to see Liam Hemsworth shirtless as much as possible. A great cast does highlight this totally forgettable crime thriller from director Robert Luketic (who also directed the better 2008 crime thriller 21 and the much better 2004 romcom WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTION!). It was written by Jason Dean Hall and Barry L. Levy and based on the book by Joseph Finder (who also wrote the crime thriller book turned 2002 movie HIGH CRIMES). The cast includes Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Richard Dreyfuss, Julian McMahon, Embeth Davidtz, Amber Heard and Josh Holloway (of LOST fame). It stars Liam Hemsworth as an up-and-coming tech employee whos blackmailed into stealing information from his bosss rival. The movie is mildly entertaining while youre watching it but instantly forgettable. Hemsworth plays Adam Cassidy, a wannabe inventor who dreams of making it big in the corporate world. While trying to impress his boss, Nicholas Wyatt (Oldman), with a new cell phone invention (his team came up with) hes fired (along with his friends). He uses a corporate credit card to treat all his fellow fired employees to thousands of dollars in drinks that night (at an exclusive club) and is caught by his employers. His boss then blackmails him into being a corporate spy for him and stealing information from his rival Jock Goddard (Ford). Cassidy gets close to a girl he met at the club (Heard), who works for Goddard, in order to get the information he needs. He then unwittingly puts himself (and his friends) in grave danger as he realizes Wyatt will stop at nothing to make sure Cassidy gets the info he wants. The film is as routine as they come and plays out just like every other B movie crime thriller out there. Ford and Oldman are a lot of fun to watch though and chew up the scenery every chance they get. Dreyfuss is good as well as Cassidys lovable dad. Everyone else in the film is wasted though and Hemsworth definitely isnt a very impressive lead in this movie; however, the film IS watchable (on TV or as a cheap rental) for Ford and Oldmans performances but thats about it.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 02:24:57 +0000