REVIEW: ARMY OF THIEVES

3/5

Den Of Thieves. 

127 Mins. Starring: Matthias Schweighöfer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Guz Khan & Jonathan Cohen. Director: Matthias Schweighöfer. 

Listen like thieves, like Michael Hutchence of INXS once said. How about this for a franchise, world building left turn? Who would of thought that after the May day release of '300' and 'Watchmen' director Zack Snyder's 'Army Of The Dead' on Netflix that it would be one of his and the worlds biggest movies of the year and it would lead to all this? I mean it was mere months after years and years of fan-petioning finally serviced us with the four-hour epic 'Snyder Cut' of the 'Justice League' which served exactly that to the league of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. Who would of thought that in a crack cast enlisted for this walking dead zombie film that recruited the likes of 'Dune' and 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' star Dave Bautista, the soul of this picture Ella Purnell, the 'Power' of Omari Hardwick, classic comedian Tig Notaro (digitally pasted over a disgraced cast member and who could tell until they were actually told?! Not me! (Paul Rudd meme voice)) and Japanese legend Hiroyuki Sanada ('The Last Samurai', 'The Wolverine') on the 'Mortal Kombat' month of his life, it would be then a little known Matthias Schweighöfer (one of the actual only German's in Tom Cruise's lazy, even accent (forget language) turning in the first scene, 'Valkrie' (there's nothing like saying "for Germany" in an American accent)) and his cracking safe snatching character that would steal the show? What a find, tinkering between the gears and listening in through cold hard steel and his last keepsake to hold with the very safe he keeps socially distant from others for in this time of rampant spreading. Now Netflix are throwing more money at something that was streamed like a controversial Chappelle Show, we have more bite in store. Albeit with different teeth. It's not chomping at the bit of this one and done movie. An anime series is on its way, but first Schweighöfer takes us back to his native gorgeous Germany with Paris and Prague punctuations for a prequel as 'Army Of The Dead' becomes 'Army Of Thieves'. And this battalion is about to have a following like BTS. 

Delightful and as charming as its lead character who is hilariously spilling, screaming shocked hot drinks on himself with Chaplin slapstick when he's not saying "gulp" whilst drinking them (who does that...this throwback does. And it's a joy to watch). Whilst as aesthetically pleasing in Autumn colours this fall and as stylishly suited and booted as the vintage European fashions to match. This prequel practically H.G. Wells takes you back in time.  'Army Of Thieves' is the gentle fun and relief from the hordes of darkness you get in Snyder's sensational chapters and verse. Still stylized in the same typography and tattooed caricature way, Schweighöfer's picture still has much more substance. Oh, that's right he may not be the leader of this money heist for Netflix with everyone dressing up in boiler room red this Halloween (leave that to 'Game Of Thrones' and 'Fast and Furious' franchise vehicle star Nathalie Emmanuel), but he is this movies actual director aswell as the star of the show. Is there nothing Schweighöfer can't do? Steal the show in Snyder's world war Z. Lead and direct his own movie from the cuff of his exquisite style. Fresh from the overkill undead, flesh eating filmography. Make safes sexy. Make nerds sexy. Maintain those immaculate blonde coiffured curls which you just know is going to make this writers hairline jealous. Perhaps hold his drink...at least when it's hot. That's something he needs to work on. God, what a failure! Schweighöfer's fond film and ransom note love letter to the vault of history and legendary locksmith Hans Wagner is outstanding and operatic (and how about fellow countryman Hans Zimmer coming up behind the notes with another sublime score?). The key to it is how different it is from the zekes that came before him this Halloween weekend, were Michael Myers is again causing "groovy baby" confusion like masking up in 'Last Night In Soho' director Edgar Wright's 'Baby Driver'. But it still has its pound of flesh to the strain that started everything off with news report references and nightmares that will still give you a scare behind the couch this smashing pumpkin holiday for extra spice in your gulped lattes. Get 'em whilst they're hot! 

Safe as houses, the rest of this ensemble knows how to work the locks unlike Bad Boys street team (check the Kanye rhyme, we don't have the time. The clocks ticking. Ring the alarm). Emmanuel is in a league of her own. Stepping out of the fire of dragons and exhausts to shift gears to her own star vehicle that puts her on the throne and in the driving seat. Now we just want another prequel...her one. Or some sort of way to bring all these characters back together. Hey, they do it in the 'Fast and Furious' movies. Just look at Han, Letty, everyone else. Probably even Gal Gadot if they can pony up that 'Wonder Woman' money and bring the Princess back to the original model were it all began under the hood. Whilst speaking of the future, 'Polar's' Ruby O. Fee on her own steal is a star up next. Meanwhile 'Babylon' and 'Jamestown' star Stuart Martin and his Pitt and Nic hybrid action star, Brad Cage looks like he muscle bursting through vest is trying to jack huge Hugh Jackman's Wolverine grooming style. And if you need some comic relief from that Logan like anger management then lucky for you it's time to 'Turn Up Charlie' like Idris Elba as another Netflix favourite Guz Khan is simply hilarious...especially over sandwiches. Add French, 'Budapest' actor Jonathan Cohen as an Interpol agent on this crews taillights and oh brother, we have quite the set-up. All to a thrilling climax and emotional end that matches the funny with more bones to pick at in this undead franchise that refuses to die on the vine. When it comes to this thief's theme army and the dawn of the dead, these two very different movies are as thick as thieves. GULP! TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Army Of The Dead', 'Den Of Thieves', 'Money Heist'.