Trespass (2011)

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

A different way of telling a story

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Joel Schumacher should not be making films anymore. He is outdated. He has expired. He is an amateur at best. Perhaps prominent in the late 80s, it seems he has turned his eye as of late to generic claustrophobic thrillers, after his success with 'Phone Booth'. Yet, unable to replicate that film's success, he continues to gnaw at my sanity in the darkest depths of Hollywood's basement with this atrocity. A married couple are taken hostage by a group of extortionists who believe there is a large stash of money and diamonds hidden in the home. Ninety minutes of Nicolas Cage shouting "Run Sarah! Run! Sarah Run! Runnn! Sarah! Run Sarah! Sarah! Sarah! Go! Run! Runnn! Go Sarah! Sarah! Gooooo! Run! Sarahhhhhhhhhh! Sarah Go Run Go Run Run Run!" as he exhumes a colossal amount of confidence given the situation he encounters. He didn't look remotely frightened in the slightest! Just breathing heavily with such excitement that eventually he exclaims (to the robbers) "A million dollars? Yes, that's right, kid! YOU DID IT! YOU HIT THE MOTHERLOAD!" in his usual Cage freaking out trademark. As I'm writing this, I'm crumbling into laughter at just how poor this thriller was. Gajdusek's screenplay consists of the same two scenes looping each other in what seems like eternal damnation. "I am not opening the safe" to "see if you can escape". Simply just calling each other's bluff and then attempting to flee, on repeat, for the whole film. The antagonists were less villainous than a swan. The plot "twist" had no impact and was utterly convenient. Where are the thrills to be had? Where is the onscreen chemistry? Why are Kidman and Mendelsohn in this abomination? Why is Schumacher still making films? Why am I watching this!? It isn't a home invasion film, it's a masterclass on how to overact. Scream, flail your arms around and breathe intensively whilst simultaneously crying. Poor direction, poor editing, poor script, poor performances and poor plot. Seriously, is there anything worth stealing from this poor film?

Trespass (2011) ** (out of 4) Kyle Miller (Nicolas Cage) and his wife Sarah (Nicole Kidman) find themselves being held hostage by four masked criminals who are demanding that he open the safe. The criminals believe that there are some priceless diamonds in the safe but Kyle fears that if he hands them over that they'll kill the family. Soon a cat and mouse game is going on.Joel Schumacher is a director that often leads to a large debate over the quality or lack of quality in regards to his movie. I personally think the man has messed up a lot of potentially good movies and this film owes part of the blame to him. However, the biggest issue with this movie is that it features one of the dumbest and most boring screenplays that you'll ever see. I mean, there are some interesting ideas scattered throughout the film but sadly they're all thrown away because of some really poor characters and some really annoying situations.I would have to give away several spoilers to really explain why this movie was so stupid but I'm going to avoid doing that. The biggest problem I had with the film is that all of the characters were so poorly written that I just wanted to jump through the screen and kill them all. Every single one of the characters did non-stop stupid things and after a while it just became really annoying. The screenplay tries to throw in one twist after another but none of them are well thought out and they too just become annoying.The films clocks in less than 90-minutes without the end credits and it's meant to be a tight thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Sadly, that never happens because Schumacher just doesn't bring any tension or suspense to the screen. Yes, the screenplay is partially to blame because do we ever really fear these crooks? I didn't because to me they weren't threatening and I'd argue that they were nothing more than a bunch of idiots.As far as Cage goes, he gives a pretty over-the-top performance at times with some of the screaming getting a couple laughs. With that said, he is Nicolas Cage and he is still good enough to hold your attention throughout all the camp. The supporting performances were mostly good but one does have to wonder why Kidman would attach herself to a film like this. She usually does much better projects so I'm going to guess it was due to a favor for the director? Either way, TRESPASS is a really silly movie that's mildly entertaining but it's so frustrating to sit through because it should have been better.

Don't know why this was put into the rubbish bin by people. Sure, it is no masterpiece, and nothing original, but movies are supposed to entertain and it does exactly that. I watched this with my missus when our first choice of a film did not work. but glad to see it instead.Almost all takes place in one location, but delivers. Do not get disheartened by the low ratings and give a chance when in mood. you won't be disappointed.Normally not keen on mr Cage, but he is rather superb here. Cannot decide whether the lady was really nicole kidman, or someone else, though. She looked very thin. and much older than i remembered.

First of all, let me inform you that this film holds the (dubious) honour of being the quickest cinema release to go straight to DVD (just over two weeks). The reason, sadly, was that it hardly set the box office ablaze and the filmmakers were desperate to try and recoup some of the money they obviously had to fork out for Cage and Kidman.Trespass is part of this new genre of thriller/horrors, known as 'home invasion movies.' Basically, a gang of unlikeables enters a lovable family's home and threatens them/robs them etc. Will Mr and Mrs Average survive and dish out some well-deserved retribution along the way? In the case of Trespass, who cares? It's a pretty basic film - basic plot, basic script, basic characters and even basic acting from two stars who should know better. The characters spout clichés - the robbers shout, the hostages scream and any small plot development or motivation you can see coming a mile off (I won't give anything away, just in case you don't).It's not the worst film of its genre by far. I didn't feel like I'd totally wasted an hour and a half of my life. It's just it should have been better, bearing in mind who was in it. I don't know what Cage and Kidman were thinking, agreeing to star in this.Bottom line - it'll never be more than 'just okay' (and there was something severely strange about Nicholas Cage's hair - I couldn't put my finger on it).