Review Heist 2015
The movie Heist from 2015 left quite an impression on me, especially the characters Francis ‘The Pope’ Silva and Luke Vaughn, brought to life by seasoned actors Robert De Niro and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Their compelling performances kept the film intense throughout. However, the storyline, which revolves around family love—particularly for children—and the mutual understanding between a cop and a criminal, has its flaws. This focus prevents Francis ‘The Pope’ Silva from fully embodying the ruthless mafia boss archetype, creating a noticeable imbalance. The film leans heavily into themes of justice rather than exploring the darker side of the underworld. This is both a strength and a weakness for the movie.
As a result, you might feel something’s missing. But upon reflection, it becomes clearer. The action and heist elements fall short—Jason Cox, one of the robbers, feels like an amateur. Right from the start, you can tell their plan is overly simplistic, lacking any intricate details beyond rushing in, grabbing the loot, and escaping. Even though the casino boss isn’t someone to be trifled with, the plan feels underwhelming.
The plot heavily emphasizes parental love, drawing parallels between the casino boss’s child and the young daughter of a former officer, both showcasing boundless devotion, no matter the sacrifice. While this makes the script emotionally engaging, it might disappoint those expecting a gritty mafia action flick filled with shootouts. If the film leans too hard into sentimentality, it risks losing viewers who crave action. For instance, the protagonist, Luke Vaughn, goes so far as to shoot Jason Cox to stop him from harming a driver, reinforcing the idea that justice always triumphs over evil, right?
Still, Luke Vaughn is portrayed as a righteous man forced into crime out of desperation. His plan is far more detailed than Jason Cox’s crew, who come across as cowardly and shortsighted. At the bar where Luke and Cox’s group meet, Cox’s team suggests a simplistic “run in and run out” approach, which Luke rejects as naive. He insists on a more calculated strategy, highlighting his intelligence and ability to handle even the worst scenarios. By the end, it’s revealed that both Luke’s crew and the casino boss fall for a clever twist, though one scene leaves you puzzled. The moment where Luke and Pauline’s paths cross on the bus and with the police feels oddly ambiguous, leaving viewers with a vague sense of unease.
Emotion in the Story
Conveying emotion is always a plus—most films rely on a bit of heart to make action scenes and feelings memorable. In Heist 2015, the father-child bond is depicted vividly, even if it overshadows the action. The fast-paced action sequences don’t leave a lasting impact, but the emotional pull compensates. The downside? The story moves too quickly, and the “righteous criminal” trope—where the hero robs but spares innocent lives—earns points for heart but not for complexity.
Thrills and Action
I can’t deny the action feels a bit lackluster. By the final moments, the film doesn’t leave a strong mark, aside from a scene where the casino boss shoots a loyal employee and the former officer has a conversation with him. There’s also a brief exchange between the officer’s sister and a female cop, and then it’s over. The tension is there, but it’s sparse and doesn’t deliver many surprises. Still, it’s decent enough, unlike the action, which feels flat.
The action and thrills are present, but visually stunning moments are sorely lacking. There’s nothing to make you gasp or marvel, unlike other action films that leave audiences in awe. This is perhaps the biggest letdown—no breathtaking scenes to elevate the experience.
In Conclusion
Overall, Heist 2015 accomplishes what it sets out to do. It has suspense, a solid and humane story, but it lacks jaw-dropping visuals, and the ending is predictable—a drawback for a film aiming for greater success. The former officer leaves an impression as a just man who loves his daughter, driven to crime by desperation. That said, the movie hits the essential marks and earns a certain level of audience support.
It’s worth watching. The story might outshine something like Don’t Look Back, and the action edges out Force of Nature slightly, but its heist crew doesn’t hold a candle to even a third of Force’s. In short, Heist isn’t bad—it’s fairly good and meaningful. If you’re after a mix of action and heartfelt storytelling, give Heist a shot.
