Movie Review: "Takers"

Seen on: August 10, 2010

The players: Director: John Luessenhop, Writers: John Luessenhop, Peter Allen, Cast: Idris Elba, Chris Brown, T.I., Paul Walker, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillon

Facts of interest: None.

The plot: A gang of bank robbers try to pull of a major heist. Meanwhile, two cops try to track them down and arrest them for good.

Our thoughts: It sure took a while for John Luessenhop’s “Takers” to find its way to theaters, but now it’s finally here and that means it’s time to decide whether the wait was actually worth it. Let me put it this way: even though “Takers” is by no means a memorable movie experience, it boasts a cool visual style and enough fast-paced action to keep cinemagoers entertained for an hour and a half.

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Exclusive Interview with Idris Elba, star of 'Takers'

John Luessenhop's action flick "Takers" opens this week, and lead actor Idris Elba recently stopped by in San Francisco and sat down with me to chat about the movie, his acting career and his passion for music.

Featuring a cast that includes Chris Brown, Paul Walker, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillon, T.I., Zoe Saldana and Jay Hernandez, "Takers" follows a gang of criminals trying to pull off the ultimate heist.

Elba shares his toughts on the genre, what it's like to play a bank robber, how he picks projects, how he prepares for gigs and what he would steal if he could. Check out our uncut interview after the jump.

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Six more go ‘Bone Deep’

Screen Gems’ crime thriller “Bone Deep” just started shooting, and the cast is still growing. According to Variety, Michael Ealy, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Zoe Saldana and Johnathon Schaech are the latest to jump on board.

Written by John Luessenhop, Gabriel Casseus, Avery Duff and Peter Allen, the plot enters on a gang of criminals who plan a tricky heist at a money depot. Paul Walker, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, Chris Brown and rapper T.I. (Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.) co-star.

Walker plays the head of the robbers, while Christensen jumps into the role of a young detective. Dillion stars as the detective who interrupts the criminals' plan.

Ealy‘s acting credits include “Barbershop” and its sequel, “Barbershop 2: Back in Business.” He will next be seen in Spike Lee’s WWII drama “Mircale at St. Anna.” Harris appeared in “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.” His next project is “Quarantine.”

As for Hernandez, he is known for his role in “Hostel” and "Hostel: Part II.” His upcoming projects include “Lakeview Terrace” and “Quarantine.” Saldana last starred in “Vantage Point,” while Schaech recently appeared in “Prom Night.” Jean-Baptiste will next star in “City of Ember.”

Walker, Christensen go 'Bone Deep'

Paul Walker and Hayden Christensen are the latest to join the cast of John Lussenhop’s upcoming thriller “Bone Deep,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In the Screen Gems project, a gang of criminals plan a tricky heist at a money depot. Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, Chris Brown and rapper T.I. (Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.) are already on board. 

Walker plays the head of the robbers, while Christensen jumps into the role of a young detective. Dillion stars as the detective who interrupts the criminals' plan.

Christensen most recently starred in "Jumper." He will next be seen in "New York, I Love You." As for Walker, he will next star alongside Vin Diesel in Justin Lin's upcoming action sequel "Fast & Furious."