BAIT (2000)

 

Directed By: Antoine Fuqua 

Written By: Andrew Scheinman & Adam Scheinman and Tony Gilroy 

Cinematography: Tobias Schliessler 

Editor: Alan Edward Ball 

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Doug Hutchinson, David Morse, Kimberly Elise, David Paymer, Jamie Kennedy, Mike Epps, Nestor Serrano, Tia Texada, Robert Pastorelli, Kirk Acevedo, Jeffrey Donovan, Jason Jones, Megan Dodd 

An ex-con is used by police to lure a criminal out of hiding.

Though most of the film is a comedy it is filmed slick like an action movie with tons of style, but at turns seems to be more a comedy at heart with dramatic moments.

Hard to believe such veterans of the FBI would so easily get caught up In A drama they are watching, personally. Which offers up an interesting dynamic of how involved you get in watching reality unfold in front of you. So it was even a precursor to how Audiences would react once reality television seemed to take over the airwaves. At least it humanizes the agents involved. 

The film definitely looks state-of-the-art and big-budgeted. That truly showed off what director Antoine Fuqua could do. This is practically a calling card for him and Star Jamie Foxx. As the film is a visual delight, and definitely feels like a big-budgeted action extravaganza.

As it not only showed Foxx’s star quality. Even though not written to his strengths. It seems like the type of film he should be getting chances to star in. That eventually happened and worked out for him. Wish he got offered more films like this (only better written) 

The film also excels thanks to a good cast of veteran actors. Who goes well with the material and Foxx’s acting.

Even though it seemed to be released with little fanfare. It’s not the best but it is interesting and entertaining.

Doug Hutchinson as the villain comes off as if he is impersonating John Malkovich. 

The film has enough thrilling and laugh-out-loud moments of equal measure. That allows for some good action sequences. To live up to the promise of the presentation.

It’s the little movie that could. As it stays small scale due to its budget but feels like a bigger film that it is and where it deserves. 

Grade: C+