Gone in 60 Seconds

Gone in 60 Seconds
by Dominic Sena

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DVD Cover Information

• TESTED OK
• 2000 DATE ON THIS DVD

Movie Reviews of Gone in 60 Seconds

Movie Review: Cars have never looked so sexy!
Summary: 5 Stars

Nicolas Cage is Randall "Memphis" Raines, a retired car thief persuaded to come back for one last boost to get his younger brother Kip out of trouble with the local gangsters. His objective is to steal fifty cars in just one night, including his unicorn; a 1967 Ford Mustang named Eleanor which he has never been able to get away with before. It's not long before he has assembled his old gang (along with a few new members) and they begin to work out how exactly they are going to pull this off. Pursuing them every step of the way is grizzled Detective Castlebeck (Delroy Lindo) and a gang of rival car thieves angered that Raines got the big job instead of them.

The cast is large and varied. Nicolas Cage (The Rock, Con Air) is perfectly at home as Memphis Raines, at first reluctant to take on the job but gradually warming to his old life. As he brushes off his old car-stealing gear and holds up his leather jacket, he says with a touch of vanity and self-mockery, "I am a ba-ad man."
Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider) is the token love interest Sway, who is included in the group because she's an expert with Ferrari's. In reality, she doesn't really do much except stand around and pout quite a lot.
Former soccer hard man Vinnie Jones (Snatch) is the silent but hard-as-nails Sphinx. Although he only actually says one sentence at the end of the film, his mere presence provides some great moments. Note his reaction when he finds a dog has eaten his car keys.
Robert Duvall (Falling Down, Sixth Day), as old mechanic Otto, brings more dignity than the film really deserves, with his usual quiet and understated performance. Out of all the characters, his is probably the only one which bears a resemblance to a real person.
Giovani Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan) plays young Kip Raines. To be honest, he's quite annoying, both as an actor and as a character, consistently squelching through his lines. It's to Cage's credit that he manages not to look too annoyed with the guy.

But for all the characters in the film, they are more or less superfluous to the cars themselves. That much is obvious when we first see Eleanor, as the camera pans lovingly over the cars bodywork.
The first half of the movie is mostly exposition, with Memphis being incredibly organised and clever. There is a fairly standard chase and fight scene early on, just to keep the action level up. It's a Bruckheimer film, don't you know! It's really the last twenty minutes where the film really, please excuse the pun, shifts into top gear.

As Memphis desperately tries to steal Eleanor (the last car on the list) with Castlebeck and an army of cops in hot pursuit. The final car chase is truly a job to behold, perfectly staged and executed, long and varied, and underscored with the ultra cool music score. Cars crash, but interestingly do not explode, which is rare for a Bruckheimer film. Still, it also ensures that none of the good guys get hurt.
It's kind of a shame that after such an adrenaline fuelled burning of rubber, the film ends in a fairly standard gunfight that lacks any sense of tension. After all he's been through, you know that Memphis won't come to harm.

I gave this film five stars because, even though some of the characters grate and the plot isn't very strong, it's just impossible not to love this film. Although Bruckheimer has never been one for deep characterisations or subtle sub-plots, by God he knows how to get the pulses racing. This movie is an essential buy for anyone that knows a quality film.

Summary of Gone in 60 Seconds