Read Positive User Reviews for Criminal (2016)

8

toastedalmondMay 4, 2016

Well made action/thrillers don't come along very often these days. Most of them are B-movies or predictable rehashings of heist/revenge plots that I got bored of in the 80's. I appreciated the expense, acting, and editing of Criminal. TheWell made action/thrillers don't come along very often these days. Most of them are B-movies or predictable rehashings of heist/revenge plots that I got bored of in the 80's. I appreciated the expense, acting, and editing of Criminal. The story was far fetched but something different (Ryan Reynold's other memory switching movie aside). I enjoyed it more than Heist, American Heist, Takers, The Score, and most every movie of that formula since Heat set the bar. Critics were eager to trash it. The premise is unrealistic and the ending kind of funny but it was well made.

SPOILER: I would definitely watch a sequel in which the protagonist works for Gary Oldman on missions while struggling with the residual wildness of his host brain. And even better, watching his wife and daughter get used to life with a husband/father who is older than their dad/grandpa. Sounds amusing and entertaining.… Expand

22 of 22 users found this helpful220

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8

Tony1984Jan 30, 2018

This is probably the best I've ever seen Costner act. He really puts his heart and soul into this movie and it shows. Don't understand the critics disdain for it? Sure it's ludicrous but entertainingly so. The action is brilliant, theThis is probably the best I've ever seen Costner act. He really puts his heart and soul into this movie and it shows. Don't understand the critics disdain for it? Sure it's ludicrous but entertainingly so. The action is brilliant, the violence is in your face without being gratuitous. The English locations work very well and there is oodles of Sci-Fi to keep us happy. Also the narrative is compelling. I'm over scoring this to counter the silliness of the critics..yet again...… Expand

20 of 20 users found this helpful200

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10

Moby1682May 3, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Criminal has an intriguing concept of a dead man's memories being transferred into a living person.

A CIA agent is killed by a terrorist after he is on the run from them, Ryan Reynolds plays the agent and he is

effective although his screen time is very brief. The villain is played by the actor from Bad Boys 2 and Blow
where he also played the villain. Tommy Lee Jones is perfect as the doctor even though his role is minor.

Gary Oldman overacts in a few scenes by delivering comical dialogue instead of assertive dialogue. The
action is well shot and there is enough to keep you engrossed. Criminal is similar to movies like the Bourne

series and Self/less which is also a mind transference thriller but the twists are dissimilar. Kevin Costner
Costner delivers the most intriguing performance in the movie. He transformed himself into a criminal

for the role. His speech, actions, movements and criminal ideas all match how an unfeeling criminal
would behave. In the movie he suffered an accident at the hands of father. His father threw him through a

car window and that damaged the temporal lobe in his brain. In order for the procedure to work the memories
have to be implanted into a person with a damaged temporal lobe. Costner's Jericho is unfeeling because

of his brain injury but then he has emotions from Bill's memories in his brain. He feels exactly what Bill felt
towards his wife and daughter when he was alive. Gal Gadot from Batman Versus Superman also adds

to the movie and the cast acts well off of one another. The terrorist is after a man named the Dutchman.
The Dutchman has access to nuclear missiles and the terrorist wants control of those missiles.

Bill won't tell him where he is so he murders him. Once Jericho has his memories the terrorist wants him
so he can gain access to the missiles. The CIA were going to pay the Dutchman off so he wouldn't give

anyone access to the missiles. The ending of Criminal is perfect and very positive. This is Kevin Costner's wittiest, adrenalized performace since Mr. Brooks.… Expand

54 of 58 users found this helpful544

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9

lghulmJun 25, 2016

For me personally this film represents one of the biggest discrepancies between a meteoritic score and my own personal opinion. I don't like crap films - this film was great. Good music, good acting, good script, good action and believableFor me personally this film represents one of the biggest discrepancies between a meteoritic score and my own personal opinion. I don't like crap films - this film was great. Good music, good acting, good script, good action and believable story (given the genre) 9/10.… Expand

16 of 18 users found this helpful162

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9

JFTORTORELLAApr 15, 2016

The gruesome violence in the beginning caused me to close my eyes, and I was afraid I would be sorry I picked this movie, but my husband and I both enjoyed it immensely. The acting was superb, and the improbable plot captured and held myThe gruesome violence in the beginning caused me to close my eyes, and I was afraid I would be sorry I picked this movie, but my husband and I both enjoyed it immensely. The acting was superb, and the improbable plot captured and held my attention throughout. Costner really got into his character! Best of all, the ending was fantastic--very satisfying!… Expand

18 of 45 users found this helpful1827

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8

smiyamotSep 24, 2016

Don't know why the critics didn't like this movie. Had a different story line, had professional and personal life story tie ins, okay, was kinda science fiction and the computer stuff a little low budget, and a few gaffs in the story line soDon't know why the critics didn't like this movie. Had a different story line, had professional and personal life story tie ins, okay, was kinda science fiction and the computer stuff a little low budget, and a few gaffs in the story line so it was not a "10" for me, but still a good movie. Spies (CIA), terrorists, killers, computer hackers, maybe the critics thought the story line was just too complicated and unbelievable.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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8

ReceptacleJun 22, 2021

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4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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8

Parasol92Aug 11, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best films about crime & life.₩

I am amazed. Watched this movie a while back, and decided to do a rewatch on larger screen, and experience is exactly the same. Is this the best or perfect movie? No! But maybe best movie about crime and life together. When I say life I mean soul, emotions, humanity. There is all: from being wounded to being in love, from betrayal to having courage. All in authentic, 1st person experience, with all scientific details. Liked the stunts and technology too. Bit more amateur and typical than some best movies but still very good. Looks real. Similar bit to Prison Break, Jason Bourne, CSI, Replicas. Story is bit amateur and unrealistic, showing hacker and government making amateur mistakes, as if they are not trained, too unreal. But topic is the best. It shows possible use of science to turn bad into good, to exploit bad things so they become useful. End is the best, very positive and emotional.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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8

Castor600Sep 18, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Another underrated piece of art

I need to write 10 lines or more if i want this review to be published in this page, but i don't need to, this movie don't need that. I don't know why this movie have this bad rating and critics. I like the plot, the characters are amazing, the story line was good and Kevin Costner maybe with the greatest performance of his career. Right now we live in a world of copycats and directors and producers trying to make a movie of a movie of a movie, this movie make me have hope in better movies whit interesting plots in a future. The only think I don't like about this movie was the title. I have the feeling that this movie will be appreciated by many people in 10 or 15 years. If you're one of these guys that thinks that the ratings by the users on IMDb are always right, take a leap of faith and watch this masterpiece. You don't be disappointed.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

MLRJan 30, 2022

Never a dull moment... this was almost a modern retelling of Frankenstein, with a great twist. I really enjoyed this film, even though I am an actual neuroscientist.