BANDIT

                                                           Bandit

Story: "Bandit" is a depiction of the true story of Gilbert Galvan Jr, also known as Robert Whiteman, who achieved a historic feat in the late 1980s in Canada by robbing 59 banks, while being chased by a team of police officers.

Review: "Bandit" is an old-fashioned movie that offers a little bit of everything required for a crime caper. While it may not promise to be a solid crime thriller, the film still manages to entertain audiences with its blend of humour and action. Drawing from the real-life story of Gilbert Galvan Jr., who successfully robbed 59 banks and a jewellery store across several Canadian cities in the late 80s, this movie makes for a decent watch. Although it is a crime film, it does not heavily rely on gunshots or intense action sequences; instead, it is the charm of lead actor Josh Duhamel that steals the show. What is surprising about the film is that Mel Gibson, despite being a major presence, has relatively little to do throughout the movie.

"Bandit" begins in 1984 with Gilbert Galvan Jr.'s escape from a minimum security prison in Michigan. When the pressure mounts, he flees to Canada and assumes the identity of a beggar, adopting the name Robert Whiteman. Initially, to make ends meet, he sells popsicles, but when the business venture fails, he must search for other means of income. Eventually, he meets his future wife at a homeless shelter and turns to bank robbery with the help of his ally, Tommy, a local crime boss, to support himself and his future spouse.
Although "Bandit" offers a thrilling experience, it fails to keep the audience invested throughout the movie. The film lacks high-tension sequences that would leave viewers on the edge of their seats, and there are a few scenes that would make them chew their nails or bite their fingers. This can be partly attributed to the fact that the robberies portrayed in the movie are not excessively violent or incendiary in nature. However, what sets the film apart are its comical moments, particularly those that occur during the interactions between Whiteman and bank tellers.
Josh Duhamel is the standout performer in "Bandit". He delivers a sincere and charming performance as Robert Whiteman, and it is his charisma that steals the show rather than his 'looting tactics.' On the other hand, Elisha Cuthbert's portrayal of Robert's wife, Andrea lacks depth and purpose, merely serving as a supporting character. However, the biggest disappointment is Mel Gibson's role as Tommy Kay, a local crime boss. The character is poorly developed, adding little to the plot, and Gibson's talents are underutilized in the film.

Unlike typical caper films that involve intricate planning, this crime thriller lacks such sequences. The film fails to showcase the careful planning and execution of the bank robberies, which is a crucial element in this genre. Also, the film's pacing is sluggish at times, and it even feels like a made-for-TV movie. Overall, "Bandit" is a passable entertainment, but it falls short of being remarkable. It's an average film that is likely to be forgettable once it ends.