Run-of-the-mill, lazily scripted, indifferently acted 'thriller' featuring Justin Timberlake as hard-done-by, on-line student gambler who loses lots of money in one go to Costa Rica-based casino king Ben Affleck. Convinced that he was cheated, he decides to go and face down the latter himself. Bringing Affleck to justice gets him involved in shady shenanigans, playing the law (with a good dose of predictable corruption) against the casino world.
Gemma Arterton provides the regulation female 'decoration'.
Can't really be bothered to put in the effort say much more (rather like the film-makers), except to mention that we've seen it all before, but handled with more imagination and aplomb. Yet there's also nothing here to take really exceptional dislike to either,..............
4/10.
hmm Maybe Justin should go back to the mickey mouse club
ReplyDelete: - 0 That might sum it up, Sol.
DeleteI figured that with Timberlake and Affleck it would suck. But I'll give you props for enduring the pain to spare others!
ReplyDeleteNot so much pain as a soporific effect, Bob. Maybe a film to have on in the background and to accord a bit of attention only when some 'action' happens.
DeleteOh shame, I had high hopes for this, sadly it seems not to have hit the marks.
ReplyDeleteChacun a son gout, Jase. It's not quite a BAD film. Just unexceptional (in my opinion).
DeleteIt's so disappointing. I really, really want to like Ben Affleck films.
ReplyDeleteMitch, if this is anything to go by, it could be that after his triumph with 'Argo' he might now be thinking that he can do no wrong. I hope I'm mistaken but my feeling was that his heart wasn't in this. No, he's still got to WORK for his millions. Having said that, die-hard fans of his might get more out of this than I did.
ReplyDeleteThis is a film I wouldn't pay any attention to. Your post prompted me to read the review in today's paper. Here is how the critique began: " 'Runner Runner' is less than mediocre, but it's not repellent, which means you'll root for it only to be disappointed." Rating: one star and a half.
ReplyDeleteThe film I am looking forward to seeing is the French film "Populaire" with the handsome Romain Duris. Eagerly awaiting your review on this one. Please see it soon.
Paul, 'Runner X 2' is getting a number of defenders here and I may be lucky that there hasn't yet been someone denouncing what I say - though it's still early days. I think anyone who sees it who also happens to be star-struck by either of the two male leads might wear rose-coloured specs through their viewing. If one is talking about stars out of five I'll go as far as awarding it a full two (saving you the trouble of doing the maths!)
DeleteI missed 'Populaire' when it came, but it was mentioned by one of the bloggers whom I follow a few days ago. He writes just a few words at the beginning of his post and I add a comment at the end:-
http://sfchapman.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/this-week-i-have-been-22/
I see on IMDb that it's average rating as at now is 6.7. Must say that in view of what you've just said I wish I'd gone when I had the chance. Afraid I'm unlikely to get another chance but will look out just in case.