The Take (2007)

The Worst Film Ever

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

There is a time and a place for shaky, hand-held camera work. This irritating technique continues to be the most over-used in Hollywood. I nearly turned this film off after the first 4 minutes because I was experiencing motion sickness. And this was all while the protagonist was getting up and getting ready for work. Even when you are trying to show action as it might be seen from a live news camera I would still make a case for trying to show the action as it might be seen by the human eye -- steady and focused even when the viewer is moving. My perception is that shaky camera work is used in the same way that too much background music is used -- to compensate for mediocrity in the film itself.I stayed with the film to the end because a lot of others felt it was a good film and John Leguizamo can be counted on for a fine performance. I thought the movie itself was only OK. Story line developed slowly and often tediously to a somewhat satisfying conclusion. I would have rated it a 5 to 6 with better camera work. I'm glad I saw the whole thing but I will never need to see it again.

This is one of the lowest-rated action films, that i found to be highly entertaining, and a gem in my eyes. Its the story of an armored truck driver, who is wounded in a heist, and battles rehabiliation and trying to track down the person who committed the crime. Leguizamo shines in the lead, while Tyrese, although not entirely convincing, does better than his previous work in Baby Boy and 2 fast 2 furious...Meanwhile, Bobby Cannavale was very good here. I thought the music was well incorporated, and Lukas Ettlin did a good job with the cinematography, and the editing was also good. THis is one of the better Hollywood low budget b-movie esquire films i have seen. It may not be Oscar-worthy, but as far as a high- paced action flick, i thought it got the job done better than a lot of films with 3 or 4 times the budget, i would almost forget at times that the films estimated budget was less than a million. --IMDB Rating: 5.2. MY Rating: 9/10

Felix De La Pena (John Leguizamo) works as a bank driver, and he lives in the slums of Los Angeles with his wife Marina (Rosie Perez) and his two children. He's caring, compassionate and the perfect husband and father.Until he's threatened by Adell Baldwin (Tyrese Gibson) and is shot and left for dead. When he awakens from his coma, he's a different man - angry, vengeful.Agent Steve Perelli (Bobby Cannavale) is trying to solve the case, and realizes that it might've been an inside job, so he immediately suspects Felix. Felix then goes out and tries to find the people really responsible for what happened, before he takes the rap for it."The Take" is different from most action movies, because it focuses more on Felix's relationship with his family rather than the intense hunt for the people responsible for changing his life. It's not about big car chases, huge explosions and mob war - it's about a man faced with a new outlook on life, struggling to clear his name and find out who is really responsible.

John Leguizamo is known as a great character actor, but in THE TAKE he is the perfect lead man. He shows all of his many talents in the film as Felix, the lead, in this gritty Indie movie. Leguizamo grasps the opportunity and gives the best performance of his wonderful career. Additionally, Rosie Perez, as his wife, complements him perfectly. One of the things that elevates this film from the typical heist movie is that the viewer genuinely cares for Felix's family which is being torn apart by his tribulations. You feel the pain, torment, and absolute hell that Felix, his wife and 2 kids are living through as a result of the consequences of the vicious and callous shooting by Adell(Tyrese Gibson). The family just really fits and is real. Director Furman's casting was right on in putting this family together. Adell is one scary guy. The scene with his child on his lap beside a gun says it all.That vision will be embedded in the viewer's mind for quite some time. Furman uses classic 70s verite film making style and you feel like you are really right in the middle of Boyle Heights. The surrounding scenes and people are alive. The little girl crying and the crowd watching in awe as Leguizamo is led away by the police at the end is another unforgettable vision. The grittiness of the film sets the mood for a true Indie movie where the actors put us in a hellish like fantasy for 90 minutes.