SYNOPSIS: An ex-cop and now wanted fugitive (Sam Worthington) stands on the ledge of a high-rise building while a hard-living New York Police Department negotiator (Elizabeth Banks) tries to talk him down. The longer they are on the ledge, the more she realizes that he might have an ulterior objective.

REVIEW: Even the title is cliché. Yes, it’s a heist, it’s predictable, it’s the same old formula, and it’s cliché but you know what, the movie is actually not that bad. One of the best things its got going for it is that it’s a heist with a twist so it’s not THAT typical. Even not-so-great heist movies are always going to be at least a little fun and thrilling and in those categories this movie does not falter. By adding the twist you can bump it up a notch. The first heist with a twist movie that comes to mind to compare this one to is Inside Man. Now that movie is an instant classic that was very well made all around. This one is not as good but it can fall in the same general category though. It is quick from the get go and gives you very little time to blink. The plan is elaborate enough to almost confuse you at some points. It was executed quite well both in the story as well as cinematically. So don’t let the title turn you off because it is better than that.

The setting, appropriately so, is New York City and the Big Apple looks stunning as always. Speaking of looking stunning and before I forget to mention it, Genesis Rodriguez gives an eye-popping performance for someone new to the big screen. The cast as a whole is pretty solid with respectable performances throughout. Ed Harris is sharp as always. He is one of those rare actors that are equally talented at being a good guy as well as a bad guy. There is something about Anthony Mackie’s acting that makes it seem very sincere and to me that’s a good thing. Both Jamie Bell and Elizabeth Banks contribute effectively to the flow of the film. I was most surprised by Kyra Sedgwick’s role as a news reporter. Her performance was okay but the character did not add much to the story. She is over qualified for that role which could have been played by anybody and been just as effective. I did get a kick out of her character’s name, Suzie Morales, for personal reasons. And then there’s Sam Worthington in the lead role, the Man on a Ledge. He was sharp and carried the film well enough but I’ve seen better work from him elsewhere. There is no doubt he is becoming one of the new leading men of action films. But even though the performances were decent, the characters were about as cliché as the title, or at least as typical as a movie of this genre would call for. The cinematography was well done though and it helped. For Director Asger Leth it’s not a bad job overall considering it is his first major motion picture direction. So in summary, the movie is not exactly great but it will entertain you.