Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Murphy Howard I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Janis One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Tss5078 It isn't fair and it isn't right, but in the minds of many moviegoers, certain performers will always be associated with their most memorable roles. For me, Hayden Christensen will always be Anakin Skywalker, and it's strange to see him in anything but a Science Fiction film, but that doesn't mean he's not capable of playing anything else, as he shows in American Heist. Christensen plays James Kelly, an man who became an ex-con, for simply looking up to and trying to help his older brother, Frankie (Adrien Brody). As James is getting his life on track, Frankie is being released from prison and is of course looking for one big score. Now, James has to decide what's more important, keeping his new life on track or saving his older brother. Hayden Christensen gives an admirable performance, once you get passed the initial shock of Anakin cursing and covered in tattoos, but it's Adrien Brody who steals the show. Brody isn't an Academy Award winner for nothing, as his character pulls at the heart strings and has you running the gambit of emotions. Everyone knows someone like Frankie and wonders which way they'll turn out. In this case, there is also the added incentive of finding out if he'll drag his brother along with him, either way. American Heist isn't the best film out there, the story has been done, and at times, it's a little dull. This film is more about the characters and their values more than anything else. There's a fair share of language and guns, but unlike many other thrillers, that's not really the focus here, which in the end, is appreciated.

JohnnyRoyce This movie was a let down, and had huge potential. The combination of Hayden and Jordana Brewster's romance could have been something memorable, and Adrien Brody's performance was outstanding. The bond between Adrien and Hayden's character was there, but wasn't executed properly due to the lack of a powerful story. The story and direction of the movie is what drove this movie into the ground. There's barely any motivation for the characters, and recurring cliché and predictable moments. There are a few moments were it is "supposed" to be comical, but due to the lacking nature of the third act, nothing is really funny. However, I'd love to see Hayden, Adrien and Jordana in another film together.

rinzler-16487 Action? Solid, but nothing special. Heist element? Lacking, but enough for fans of non-elaborate larceny. Neither of those things, however, take center stage for long. The movie wants so desperately to focus on the emotional aspect of the story...on the relationships. The problem is, it introduces these connections and backstories one after another without REALLY giving any depth to a single one. Moments that, if developed properly, could be sincere and truly emotional are rather just "out of left field" scenes that just waste screen time with a story that doesn't make a lot of sense. On a more technical note, it almost gives the feeling that the cinematographer got switched out halfway through the movie. The beginning is filled with erratic zooms and cuts, standard cheap action movie stuff, while the mid-to ending is much more characteristic of...well...a GOOD, professional movie.The drama is definitely the focus of the movie, but even some halfway-decent action and a plot twist or two along the way couldn't save this movie from it's nonsensical emotional story, with some awkward dialogue to boot.

jamesdarcycba Generic plot line and characters, it starts out fairly watchable but then just descends into an absolutely awful movie, not only is the script generic and badly written, but the movie glorifies violence as usual, and perpetuates the African-American stereotype on screen - in the final scene, all the cops and snipers are white and the two criminals are black (typical), the other two brothers played by Hayden Christensen and Adrian Brody are obviously portrayed as heroes. I'm really surprised any of the actors agreed to do this movie because they're all talented, as I'm sure the director is. Easy paycheck I guess. How do movies like this get made? Complete trash.