“It’s a bad world all around.” —Sinclair
Today’s quick review: The Last Heist. Sensing an opportunity, Paul (Torrance Coombs) leads his gang of thieves to rob what should be a soft target: a small bank on the verge of closing down. But the heist goes wrong when one of the customers (Henry Rollins) turns out to be a serial killer. With the police outside and a killer on the loose inside, the criminals must find a way to escape the bank with their money and their lives.
The Last Heist is a hybrid crime drama and slasher flick that pits an unhinged serial killer against a team of bank robbers who already have their hands full. The premise has potential, thanks to the cramped quarters, isolated characters, and unpredictability that the two genres share. But The Last Heist is simply not up to the challenge, and what potential the movie has goes to waste.
The Last Heist’s problems begin with its writing. The heist has no clear trajectory, even when it’s going according to plan, and the movie’s progression is thrown off badly by the killer’s activities and meaningless plot twists. None of the characters react the way they should, either. Basic interactions are packed with needless conflict, while serious events are treated with casual indifference.
The mechanics of the plot are broken as well. Nearly every event of the movie is driven by one bad decision or another, a fact that neither the characters nor the movie itself seem willing to acknowledge. The unforced errors range from Paul unmasking with no provocation to various characters allowing the killer to approach within knife range instead of shooting him. The plot hinges on the fact that none of its characters show common sense.
There are other issues that are subtler. Henry Rollins makes for a suitably disturbing serial killer, but his kills are random and have little dramatic effect. Paul’s crew are meant to be professionals, but they behave like amateurs. They also outnumber both the hostages and the first wave of police to arrive, an odd arrangement that raises the question of why they can’t simply leave.
Most viewers would be better off avoiding The Last Heist. Its failings are extensive, and even its value as a mindless heist movie is hurt by its bloody, slasher-style violence. Those hoping for a few laughs at the movie’s expense might find some enjoyment, but its issues are more pervasive than outrageous. For a more endearing heist movie of similar quality, check out Checkmate. For a higher-quality heist movie, check out Inside Man.
3.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 4.5 for weak characters, flimsy writing, and all-around poor execution.