Gone in 60 Seconds
Director: Dominic Sena
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, and Giovanni Ribsi
Released: 2000
Box Office: $231,126,000 (Worldwide)
Throwback Review
Gone in 60 Seconds was one of the many films I initially watched because my brother wanted to see it and I was glad he did or I might not have watched it when it was released. It has become one of those films that whenever it is playing on TV, I can't help but watch it.
The film stars Nicolas Cage as Memphis Raines, an ex-car thief who is forced to return home and enter the car theft ring once again in order to save his brother, Kip (Giovanni Ribsi), from British crime boss Raymond "The Carpenter" Caltri (Christopher Eccleston - aka the 9th Doctor) who is threatening to kill him unless he delivers 50 stolen cars. Memphis gathers his old team (Chi McBride, Robert Duvall, Vinnie Jones, and Angelina Jolie) along with Kip's team in order to accomplish the seemingly impossible feat of "boosting" 50 cars in 72 hours. To add to their troubles, Detectives Castlebeck (Delroy Lindo) and Drycoff (Timothy Olyphant) begin investigating Memphis. As the group embarks on this difficult journey, Memphis must figure out a way to save Kip, stay out of prison, and break free from the underground world of "boosting" cars for good.
Cage is one of those actors that can't seem to maintain a career of doing good films. We (Don't Sit Next To Us) figured that about one in 10 films that he does is actually decent. This film definitely makes the "good" list. It is also an example of why audiences keep giving Cage a chance: when he does make a good film, he is extremely likable in it.
I am unsure why critics panned this film. I thought it was quite enjoyable. The story is decent, the acting is good and the action is entertaining. The cars are a plus, as is the music. Some times you have to learn to see a movie for what it is. Not every film can be epic, thought-provoking, mind-bending or Oscar-worthy. Some times a film can be highly effective as an escape from reality; what movies are suppose to be.
The cast is a great mix of acting talent. Jolie is great as the tough-as-nails Sway. McBride steals several scenes with his timely wit. Eccleston is excellent as the bad (possibly crazy) crime boss. Ribisi is great as the brother who can't stay out of trouble. (If he had more to work with, Ribis would be phenomenal but this character didn't call for much more). And Will Patton and Duvall round out the cast, providing an older brother/father figure type vibe for the group.
Final Verdict: See it. Gone in 60 Seconds is fun. Plain and simple. It's a great action/adventure film and I believe it is one of Cage's most enjoyable films. If you haven't seen it yet, it's a perfect film to watch on a lazy Saturday afternoon or a quiet Friday night.
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