Takeaway: A light caper flick that wants to be The Italian Job when it grows up, Man on a Ledge offers a enough tension to engage yet without so much as to be tiring (think the under-appreciated The Next Three Days, as it happens). However, it’s not as intricately woven as either of the other two. So is that an endorsement or an indictment? You decide ~ it depends on what you want from your movie. Think back (if you’re old enough, otherwise just trust me) to Ellery Queen vs. Agatha Christie. With Ellery, all the clues are present, so if you’re shrewd enough, you’ll solve the case right along with him; the final suspect gathering is all about watching the reactions and seeing if you got it right. With Agatha, her detectives often show up announcing offside activity: “I just came from the hall of records, and this document is the smoking gun!” The story holds, but we can’t play along; the suspect gathering reveals everything to us as well. So it is with Man on a Ledge. If you like Ellery, you’ll feel dissatisfied; if you like Agatha, you’re golden. Enough characterization to keep it moving, not enough to make you work, and plenty of action, minimal stress ~ you can “enjoy enjoying it.” Fun to see Jamie Bell, would definitely catch Genesis Rodriguez again, Mackie was underutilized, Worthington and Banks are a nice pairing.
Story: Former cop Nick Cassidy escapes from prison and seeks to secure a hearing to clear his name by threatening to jump from a 25th-floor ledge.
Starring: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Genesis Rodriguez, Edward Burns, Kyra Sedgwick, Bill Sadler
Directed by: Asger Leth
See it if: You want something fun, active, extroverted ~ good for a date or as a family outing (kiddos elsewhere, of course).
Skip it if: You’re in the mood for a delicious neural burn (in which case, opt for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). But do come back and consider it another day.
MPAA: PG-13
Running time: 102 minutes
Official site: http://manonaledge.com
Houston release date: January 27, 2012
Tickets: Check Fandango.com or your local listings
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