Today’s quick review: Inside Man: Most Wanted. When a gang of robbers takes hostages at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, Agent Brynn Stewart (Rhea Seehorn) of the FBI and Detective Remy Darbonne (Aml Ameen) of the NYPD must work together to resolve the situation peacefully. The negotiation gets more complicated when they meet “Most Wanted” (Roxanne McKee), the mastermind of the robbery, and learn that there’s more to her plan than meets the eye.
Inside Man: Most Wanted is a crime drama about a bank robbery with an ulterior motive. Most Wanted is a loose sequel to the original Inside Man, featuring a new cast, a new robbery, and several connections to the events of the previous film. The movie’s main draw is the robbery itself, a complicated plan that involves manipulating Brynn and Remy in specific ways. However, the movie fares worse when it comes to its characters and payoff.
Inside Man: Most Wanted takes its cues from the original Inside Man. The core of the plot is a bank robbery where nothing is as it seems. The title character attempts to manipulate and misdirect Brynn and Remy, while they try to uncover her true motives and the escape she has planned. There are enough twists and turns to make the film interesting to follow. Even so, the mystery isn’t as tight or as clever as it’s trying to be.
Most Wanted also runs into issues with its characters. Each one serves the plot well enough individually, but they don’t have much chemistry together. Their character arcs are also underdeveloped. Remy remains a constant throughout the film, a smooth-talking hostage negotiator with a positive attitude and boundless confidence, but Brynn’s attempts to prove herself to her bosses and Most Wanted’s ulterior motive for the robbery both fall somewhat flat.
The end result is a crime drama that goes through the motions well but ultimately rings hollow. Inside Man: Most Wanted is a decent pick for those who are interested in the heist itself and a disappointing one for those looking for a complete package. It also spoils the plot of the original movie, so new viewers should approach it with caution.
For a crime drama with a similar premise and better plot, acting, and presentation, try the original Inside Man. For a more thrilling take on a hostage crisis, try The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. For another bank robbery that takes a turn for the complicated, try Chaos.
5.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for an interesting robbery let down by mediocre characters.