REVIEW: SAFE HOUSE

3.5/5

It 'Aint Safe No More .

117 Minutes. Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga & Brendan Gleeson. Director: Daniel Espinosa. Screenplay: David Guggenheim

Denzel really is the man. From film to film, whether it be 'Inside Man' or 'Man On Fire' this actor is among the hottest talents of all leading men in Hollywood circles. With a legendary filmography this modern day icon and great of our generation just keeps going. Like his last incredible movie he's 'Unstoppable' and now it's up to Hollywood heartthrob/funny man turned older, serious A-list actor Ryan Reynolds to try and catch and contain him.

Now what a task that is for poor Ryan Reynolds who plays a low-level agent assigned to one of the CIA's Safe Houses as its housekeeper. His latest house guest is Washington's Tobin Frost and if you thought Denzel's Academy winning turn in 'Training Day' was one bad to the bone character, then you 'aint seen nothing yet. It is Oscar weekend after all and the Best Actor winner awards himself with another hit.

No one plays it safe in this movie as Reynolds and Washington trade blows, bullets and mental torment like Denzel's character in 'Training Day' picked up 'Collateral's' Tax-cab stalking, hit-man Tom Cruise character. With raw power, emotion and hand-to-hand, heart-to-heart combating passion and smarts Washington gives another trademark terrific performance but this time it's with even more hard-worked finesse. While Reynolds is no slouch either, rubbing the 'Green Lantern' one last time to prove that he really can help carry a big-name, big-budget picture like this. Even whilst standing next to and against a true superhero in Washington.

As Reynolds has to protect his house and ex-CIA now rouge criminal Washington what results is more action and thrills and spills than you'll see all decade in a seek and destroy/cat and mouse thriller that looks incredible over the beautiful backdrop of South Africa's Cape Town. Everyone is on the hunt for Washington like scriptwriters and directors as Vera Farmiga, Robert Patrick and Brendan Gleeson all bring their A-game to an A+ of a movie.

Dark, desperate and determined this is a dominating picture to start the year. Sure this film is long, but it helps with the frustrating drawn out nature of Ryan Reynolds characters manhunt for Denzel Washington. There's a lot of blood, sweat and tears in this one and what results is the perfect portrayal of just how much this agent wants to get his man. With corruption and hard truth's with every twist and turn this is one film you'll really want to fathom and figure out. Catch it if you can. TIM DAVID HARVEY.