MOVIE OF THE WEEK (10/19/12) ALEX CROSS
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Ed Burns, Rachel Nicols, Carmen Ejogo, Giancarlo Esposito, John C. McGinley, Jean Reno, Cicely Tyson and Yara Shahidi
WRITER(S): Marc Moss and Kerry Williamson (screenplay); James Patterson (novel on which the movie is based)
WRITER(S): Marc Moss and Kerry Williamson (screenplay); James Patterson (novel on which the movie is based)
DIRECTOR: Rob Cohen
THE PLOT: Taking over the role first made famous in Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider by Morgan Freeman, Tyler Perry stars in Alex Cross in the titular role of a Detroit Cop/certified doctor who's mental acumen is second to none. Working with his long-standing partner Tommy Kane (Ed Burns) and their young cohort Monica Ashe (Rachel Nicols), Cross is set to join the FBI once he wraps up is latest case.
Problem is, his latest case might just wrap him up first.
You see, Cross and his crew are called in to a crime scene that is not your run-of-the-mill murder. No, this one involves a high profile young woman of prominence named Fan Yau (Stephanie Jacobsen) and her entire entourage being laid out execution style. Steadfast in his belief the crime is the work of just one man, Cross notices a drawing at the crime scene and dubs the suspect "Picasso." Deciphering a clue in the drawing, Cross is able to determine where his suspect will strike next, piecing together that his suspect is eventually going to come after business magnate Leon Mercier (Jean Reno).
But in true artist fashion, Picasso (Matthew Fox) doesn't like anyone interrupting his work – and since Cross has interfered in his personal affairs, he decides to interfere in his.
Now more up close and personal with Picasso than he ever imagined, Cross embarks on a path of revenge that will result in blood being spilled, bones broken ... And his life never being the same ever again.
Problem is, his latest case might just wrap him up first.
You see, Cross and his crew are called in to a crime scene that is not your run-of-the-mill murder. No, this one involves a high profile young woman of prominence named Fan Yau (Stephanie Jacobsen) and her entire entourage being laid out execution style. Steadfast in his belief the crime is the work of just one man, Cross notices a drawing at the crime scene and dubs the suspect "Picasso." Deciphering a clue in the drawing, Cross is able to determine where his suspect will strike next, piecing together that his suspect is eventually going to come after business magnate Leon Mercier (Jean Reno).
But in true artist fashion, Picasso (Matthew Fox) doesn't like anyone interrupting his work – and since Cross has interfered in his personal affairs, he decides to interfere in his.
Now more up close and personal with Picasso than he ever imagined, Cross embarks on a path of revenge that will result in blood being spilled, bones broken ... And his life never being the same ever again.
THE TAKE: As anyone who is a regular reader of this blog (and/or has seen me do stand-up and/or knows me personally) knows, I am not a Tyler Perry fan for a variety of reasons – the majority of which were summed up succinctly on June 20, 2010 by this popular television show (link is NSFW or people lacking a sense of humor). Thus, as opposed to ranting and raving about Perry's prior film work which, again, if you need to understand my dislike for, this interview with Spike Lee and this article should explain it in full detail. Got it? Good, moving on ...
Cross is being billed by many – and likely rightfully so – as Perry's big chance to break out, silence his critics and possibly establish himself as a new force of acting to be reckoned with. So, the question remains – does Alex Cross feature a breakout performance that audiences will be talking about long after the movie is over?
Well, kinda – problem is, it's Matthew Fox that has it.
Now, don't get me wrong – Cross isn't a bad movie, in fact, it's very watchable thanks to decent acting by the film's supporting cast, Burns in particular who delivers cool, calm and collected dialogue with ease. However, the film's overall feel is much more akin to a typical episode of NCIS or CSI than say the previously mentioned films featuring the Alex Cross character. The most interesting scenes all involve Fox's character setting up his hits or intimidating Cross and the ones where Perry's character is supposed to control the scene instead end up feeling like he's reacting to the actions of everyone else around him. Perry – who lost a significant amount of weight a la Anthony Anderson – is committed to the character, however, making the picture work overall as a whole. At least he's not coasting awkwardly through scenes like Reno (you were The Professional, man!) or seemingly imitating what other movies have depicted a character in his position is supposed to act like (McGinley).
While some may lament the fact that Idris Elba, for reasons unknown, dropped out of starring in the titular role that eventually went to Perry, they should have no fear that crashes the movie. No, the thing that murks the movie up a bit is the overt foreshadowing that occurs under director Rob Cohen's watch that eliminates any real suspense one might feel. Again, the film is a decent watch, but it's not the type of film that's going to stick with you the way another film of its ilk might. To use a food analogy, it's a decent meal, but nothing you really sink your teeth into and savor the flavor.
Cross is being billed by many – and likely rightfully so – as Perry's big chance to break out, silence his critics and possibly establish himself as a new force of acting to be reckoned with. So, the question remains – does Alex Cross feature a breakout performance that audiences will be talking about long after the movie is over?
Well, kinda – problem is, it's Matthew Fox that has it.
Now, don't get me wrong – Cross isn't a bad movie, in fact, it's very watchable thanks to decent acting by the film's supporting cast, Burns in particular who delivers cool, calm and collected dialogue with ease. However, the film's overall feel is much more akin to a typical episode of NCIS or CSI than say the previously mentioned films featuring the Alex Cross character. The most interesting scenes all involve Fox's character setting up his hits or intimidating Cross and the ones where Perry's character is supposed to control the scene instead end up feeling like he's reacting to the actions of everyone else around him. Perry – who lost a significant amount of weight a la Anthony Anderson – is committed to the character, however, making the picture work overall as a whole. At least he's not coasting awkwardly through scenes like Reno (you were The Professional, man!) or seemingly imitating what other movies have depicted a character in his position is supposed to act like (McGinley).
While some may lament the fact that Idris Elba, for reasons unknown, dropped out of starring in the titular role that eventually went to Perry, they should have no fear that crashes the movie. No, the thing that murks the movie up a bit is the overt foreshadowing that occurs under director Rob Cohen's watch that eliminates any real suspense one might feel. Again, the film is a decent watch, but it's not the type of film that's going to stick with you the way another film of its ilk might. To use a food analogy, it's a decent meal, but nothing you really sink your teeth into and savor the flavor.
PARTING SHOT: An opportunity to branch out and showcase a different side of his movie talents that is not fully utilized, Alex Cross is a decent film but far from the classic the people behind it likely hoped it would be.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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