How to Rob a Bank Review

"How to Rob a Bank" is currently playing in theaters, starting on November 13. In a world filled with various frustrations, it's understandable that people may feel discontented with the system, especially when the wealthy continue to accumulate wealth while the majority struggle financially. This movie attempts to address these issues, but it ultimately falls short of making a significant impact.

Nicholas Hoult plays Ryan, the leader of a group of masked bank robbers who share their crimes through elaborate online videos. These videos have made them popular online figures, as they aim to "stick it to 'The Man' and strike back against a world that's made it hard to achieve financial stability. While it's plausible that videos of such heists would go viral, the movie feels overproduced and annoying due to its excessive animation overlays, loud sound effects, and blaring music.

Directed by David Leitch, who is also known for "Deadpool 2" and "The Fall Guy," the movie features a group of bank robbers - Ryan, Emi (Anna Sawai), Vince (Pete Davidson), and Hugo (Rhenzy Feliz) - who release their crimes through internet videos. However, the movie's over-the-top style and lack of explanation for their parkour-style heists make it feel more like Hollywood trying to create youthful, attention-grabbing content rather than genuine filmmaking.

The movie introduces FBI Agent West (John C. Reilly), who recruits Reagan (Zoë Kravitz) from home arrest to help catch the robbers. While Reilly and Kravitz's characters bring a fun dynamic to the film, the movie ultimately fails to follow through on its themes. Reagan's anti-establishment attitude is clumsily represented by progressive cause stickers on her laptop, and we don't see her or West grow or change much throughout the film.

The movie also fails to delve deeper into the crew's motivations, despite the interesting potential for exploring their personal stories and how they impact their actions.

Despite its attempts to address financial inequality, "How to Rob a Bank" feels like it was produced by a corporation like Amazon. The movie takes the typical turn for crime films, with the "Robin Hood" crew eventually giving some of their stolen money away. However, the late reveals about their motivations and the darker aspects of the story feel forced and rushed, leaving the film feeling thin and lacking depth.

While there are moments of enjoyment and impressive performances, the movie ultimately fails to convincingly tackle the issues it aims to address.