Safe House (2012)

A Brilliant Conflict

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

You'd have to be that new to think there's any originality in Daniel Espinosa's Safe House, a movie that is so painted-by-the-numbers they even got Sam Shepard to play the CIA deputy-director.You'd think he would have had enough of playing a dirty-cop/executive crap-weasel in 1992's Thunderheart.Anyway, Safe House is the sort of spy movie where, if you actually have seen a spy movie, you can peg the bad guys before they're done speaking their first lines. Also, if you've ever heard of Wikileaks or Anonymous, or Watergate or the Pentagon Papers (should I continue?), you know the movie before it starts. Well, almost.I was impressed by Ryan Reynolds' physicality. He actually did seem to be in pain after being punched, gouged, slapped, tickled, and stabbed by a shard of glass. Since I am straight, I don't think of him as dreamy, just possibly something more than another vacant Hollywood prettyboy. But, I digress. I taped Safe House a year ago off of one of the Fox movie channels. I got around to seeing it today. If I pretend not to have seen another spy movie in my almost 60 years, I guess the flick is okay. But, I digress.I have chores to do, ones that I put off for a couple hours. I could use some of Reynolds' physicality helping me rake up the pine needles around the house.Now that would be dreamy.

I'm having trouble finding anything I want to watch on Netflix these days. As I get older, I get pickier with my time. I.e.: I stopped watching the first Captain America partway through and have never resumed it. I'm like that with TV shows too. Sometimes you have enough and are unwilling to put in the time to see how it ends.I decided to give this a go. Realized partway through that I'd seen it previously, but it was good enough to finish til the end.I'm not Ben Aflecks biggest fan, but he was alright. This wasn't perfect, but it was pretty watchable.One of the better action movies I've seen in awhile.

I have read the comments here and was shocked, and not so shocked at some of the negative reviews. The movie is well written, dialogue and character development is superb. Not to mention, while albeit somewhat predictable, the plot progression is perfectly paced. Tobin Frost, played by Washington, was slightly disappointing in that he does not get into the heads of others nearly as well as his reputation would have suggested. The depth of his character only comes into play after a majority of the movie is completed, but the depth is extreme to those that have the mental capacity to understand it in it's stoicism. He needs a little work on his action sequences in this film, nowhere near up to par with previous performances this phenomenal actor has portrayed. Matt Weston, brought to life by Ryan Reynolds, green and ambitious agent that he is brings a dynamic that would be hard to replicate. His side-plot with the girlfriend was woefully lacking but it did not detract from the movie. The surprise was how well he enacted the hand to hand combat sequences, I am a trained martial artists of over 14 years in direct instruction and, I could only take a couple exchanges apart and find major flaws. Now to touch on the pseudo-buddy cop dynamic between these two, it is quickly established and honorably brought into the light. Without going into my past, I can say that I have had similar, albeit under very different circumstances, friendships of necessity that came into existence in very nostalgic to myself ways. The dialogue between these two is not award winning, but is completely believable and realistic. While the plot points have been done before, this movie still does them well. It did not bring anything new to the genre but it exemplified it with great care and nearly flawless execution. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants an endearing and entertaining ride. I know a couple guys that have worked on the covert side of the military, each of them said these two reminded them of one CIA guy or another they met throughout their careers which to me is high praise for this type of movie.

'Safe House' is a fast-paced action-thriller, that works at most parts. It entertains ably & doesn't leave you bored even for a minute. 'Safe House' Synopsis: A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge.'Safe House' has a consistent fast-pace, which frankly is the best aspect of the enterprise. It doesn't waste time & progresses with its story, efficiently. Of course, there are clichés & even the villain's identity doesn't come as a shock, its a tad predictable. But keeping aside a few flaws, 'Safe House' weights heavier on merit.David Guggenheim's Screenplay is well-done, although a few clichés act as a deterrent. Guggenheim's Direction, however, is top-class. He's handled the film exceedingly well. Cinematography is edgy. Editing is twisted, yet crisp. Action-Sequences are super-effective.Performance-Wise: Denzel Washington is powerful, yet again! He steals the show. Ryan Reynolds displays intensity. Vera Farmiga is fantastic. Brendan Gleeson is alright. Sam Shepard is capable. Nora Arnezeder is very good in a brief role.On the whole, 'Safe House' is a good watch!