Money Monster

Ein Thriller mit einem guten Gedanken, aber einem schwachen dramatischen Drive. Das emotionale Ende ist eindrucksvoll, aber alles davor ist nicht so spannend und dynamisch wie Howards Kopfgeld – Einer wird bezahlen und auch nicht so superschlau wie Lees Inside Man. Den Film vergisst man nur schnell wie Gavras’ Mad City. Es überrascht mich, dass es der ehrgeizige Clooney produzieren wollte. Vielleicht hat er sich auf ein größeres persönliches Engagement (und Talent) der Regisseurin verlassen. (09.08.2016)

Dieser Film ist ungefähr auf dem Niveau von Mad City – nicht besonders originell oder überraschend, dafür aber ein gut gespielter und ohne Probleme aufgenommener Streifen mit einem guten Gedanken. George Clooney und Julia Roberts sind eines der Traumpaare und sie würden die Aufmerksamkeit auf praktisch alles ziehen. Deshalb ist es gut, dass sie ihr Star-Potenzial nicht vergeuden. Beim Drehbuch gefiel es mir, dass sich alles in realer Zeit abspielt. Ich habe mich auch über all die schwarzhumorigen und satirischen Witze gefreut. (24.03.2019)

It seemed to me that I already saw something like this somewhere else and made better. A fine idea, but more work was need on the screenplay and it lacks an emotional climax. The kidnapper is unpleasant and O'Connell doesn’t have enough charisma to make up for the flatness of his character and his imperfect intentions. Clooney isn’t cast well even though he gives a decent performance, I could maybe imagine Downey in the role. Dominic West just turned up to pick up his wages, which is a shame. Foster isn’t good at drama and several times she spoils a perfectly good subplot which could have engaged the viewer. I liked the overall message, the realistic consequence of a cliché situations and the well illustrated corporate structure, but it had much more potential. (20.08.2016)

I contemplated why I shouldn’t give this movie five stars. It may give you the feeling of being seen a hundred times but if it keeps you in suspense for almost the whole movie, it is proof of quality. I would certainly also praise the premise, which appeared to be another one of the hyper-modern techno thrillers from the world of money initially only for it to become a completely simple and straightforward suspenseful movie that reminded me for the full one hour and a half of Phone Booth by Joel Schumacher. But it reminded me of it only because I couldn’t tear myself away from the TV. And if that’s the case, what other thriller deserves a better rating than this one? (24.12.2016)

Certainly less memorable than the similarly staged Phone Booth or the smart Inside Man. Jodie Foster does has experience with the material, the running time is short, so they produce and coax a fast pace and dynamic editing, but it needs more twists and adrenaline moments, which are basically taken care of only by a guy with a gun. A thematically interesting and certainly serious-looking affair with a solid narrative value that could be even spicier and have a more distinctive signature. (28.08.2016)