Review : Runner Runner

 

Hey Everyone, guess what? there's a new Brad Furman movie out called 'Runner Runner.' it's one of those high tense action thrillers, about gambling. It stars Justin Timberlake , Ben Affleck and Gemma Artatan. What's it about? It's a film which had the exact premise of a previous film of the same gambling story line "21". oops. 

Welcome Film Fans, to my newest Dr Film review. In today's review, I will reveal my thoughts on the new Brad Furman film 'Runner Runner' which hit UK cinema's on Friday the 27th of September 2013. It isn't going to be in cinema's long, so one can guess the success that's it had in the box office, das far.

Justin Timberlake plays a light hearted, yet skint college student who cracks an on line poker game and goes completely bust over night. When he decides to do something about it, he arranges a face-to-face encounter with the man he thinks cheated him, a sly and offshore entrepreneur who is played by Ben Affleck.

The moral message of 'Runner Runner' is play or be played. That very message is printed on some the publicity posters, it conveys a sense of seriousness of the areas of taking risks. If your going to play, you will be taken for a fool and all of that.

The film starts of brilliantly with a little pre-title sequence which draws you into watching the film, through a couple of words from Justin Timberlake's voice. Justin Timberlakes character starts this film off by getting us into a story, and he describes the backgrounds into gambling, what it means to gamble, what his character does in the film, how taking risks is gambling, etc. That is all relevant to the story and sets up good atmospheric tension amongst it's audience.

The title sequence itself, I like a lot. I thought it was very impressive. It's a line of cards which incidently flip, to form into each letter of the title. That is a very clever and dynamic idea, very neat and quick, and again had relevance to what the stories about.

Justin Timberlake's character has tremendous knowledge of blackjack gaming , that knowledge of course gets him to where he wants to be, out on top working for this big entrepreneur. That happens and it's when he gets more involved, the heavier things start to get, and more serious matter get. What I like about Justin Timberlake's character is, he guides you through the film. He is the one that always lets you what's happening, where abouts in the plot. That sort of narration is helpful to the viewers because it just means that they don't get lost part way through, they got a little tour guide to help them along the way.

Anyway, here's a quick clip from You Tube.

What is bad about 'Runner Runner' and what I picked up after watching it, was this thought of "wait a minute, that was sort of like the exact premise of the film 21". If you've seen 21 and compare it to this, you can stop and think well, Justin Timblerlake he's playing a character who has interest in the game, so he gets mixed up with some guys who turn out to be bad, and its because of that he get mixed up with some other guys who look bad, but are good. Together they take down the real bad guys, and live happily ever after'? coincidence much? I'd say so. It's not copying, just a recycle of ideas off another success film.

There's quite a bit of snappy dialogue in this, especially in scenes with Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck. I don't understand the medium of blackjack or any of those sort of risking games, so mu understanding of what was being said was a bit hazy. I would of liked those scenes to have been a lot more clearer.

But  'Runner Runner' has a bit of a double meaning to it. If you can spot it, good for you for spotting it. Those who haven't will learn something, I thought that 'Runner Runner' the clue was in the title. It was about Justin Timberlake running from his problems, and running from the police. It's a sort of a two way thing, both of which present themselves very well.

So scores, what should I give this film? I'm going to give it a 6/10.

Thanks for reading this review.

NEXT TIME : I will review 'The Green Mile' starring Tom Hanks. I will review that incredible film on Friday the 18th of October 2013.