RIGHTEOUS KILL
RYAN: The masses were very excited for the onscreen reunion of Hollywood legends Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the movie, “Righteous Kill.” Did it live up to your expectations?
CAROLINE: I don’t know that I really had any because even though I appreciate the mad acting skills that these men possess, it’s not like I’m a huge fan of either one. It didn’t have quite the same resonance for me; which is a good thing because I thought this movie was pretty lame.
RYAN: I like De Niro but I’ve never much cared for Al Pacino. I had heard so much advanced buzz about how bad this movie was that I went in with lowered expectations, and I found it better than I thought it would be.
CAROLINE: It started out fine and I was kind of into it, but it petered out and then the last twenty minutes were so preposterous that I almost couldn’t believe Pacino and De Niro agreed to do this movie.
RYAN: It’s just not a very exciting or well done film. It’s almost felt like a B-movie or a directorial debut.
CAROLINE: Well, let’s not forget that it’s directed by the same guy who made “88 Minutes” with Al Pacino earlier this year, which was unilaterally panned by fans and critics alike. Plus the dialogue was terrible. This script was just not well written.
RYAN: One of my favorite things in a movie when it works successfully is a twist. But sadly, though this movie has one, I saw it coming from the minute the movie started. The movie just plods along and then it gets way too long and you’re like, “Wow, let’s wrap this film up!” But it keeps going.
CAROLINE: Even De Niro and Pacino’s acting can’t sustain it. Bobby D. is fine for the most part, but Al gets so hammy and over-the-top by the end. It was almost laughable. I didn’t believe any of their story. Normally I’d say “Who doesn’t love a thriller?” but this one was just trying way too hard… and not succeeding.
RYAN: There are also some supposedly sexy moments in the film because De Niro has a taboo relationship with his colleague, Carla Gugino; but it’s not hot at all and I was embarrassed for him. And with two of the most accomplished actors in Hollywood history working together there should be some amazing cinematic moments, but there was never a scene that truly bowled me over. I mean, at this point, these guys should be doing movies with powerful scenes that could earn them Oscar nominations. Not gonna happen with this movie.
CAROLINE: After all the speculation of whether they’d ever do another movie together especially since they barely had any scenes together in “Heat,” it makes you wonder why they couldn’t have held out for a better script. These guys aren’t spring chickens, but they’re not knockin’ on Heaven’s door either. I think they could have waited a touch longer and done a much better movie.
RYAN: The script was originally written to be played by an older and younger cop duo, but they rewrote it once Pacino and De Niro were interested and it just doesn’t work. The re-writers needed to work a little harder.
CAROLINE: Plus they just seemed to old to be active cops and partners. They would have been retired by now.
RYAN: Gosh, after discussing this movie with you I’m thinking I liked it less than I originally thought. Maybe I need to reassess. Bottom line?
CAROLINE: I won’t say it’s a terrible movie and you should skip it because I know real fans of these guys will want to see it, and they should. Just go in with dramatically lowered expectations. It’s a B-movie masquerading as a great film, and the only reason it’s getting any attention at all is because it stars these two great actors.
RYAN: So you’re gonna run out and buy the DVD the minute it’s available?
CAROLINE: [laughs’ Precisely.
RYAN: I think I liked it a little more than you. I was entertained. But I would have liked it to be a lot smarter with better dialogue. And I wish De Niro and Pacino had had some powerful, explosive scenes together. I’m lukewarm on it.