Product Details

• Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Joris Jarsky
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Lions Gate
• VHS Release Date: February 24, 2004
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00013F2EU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,980 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Popcorn Heist Flick, April 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Foolproof [VHS] (VHS Tape)

(mild spoiler warning)
Foolproof aims for solid matinee fare, and while that's not a highbrow target, it is still a tough mark to hit. Foolproof succeeds with liberal doses of camaraderie, comedy and a clever heist replete with realistic technical detail.

The story begins as Rob, Kevin and Samantha put the finishing touches on the plan for their latest heist--their latest *pretend* heist. The trio comprised of grungy electronics repair guy Rob, insurance adjuster Kevin and, uh, blonde, Samantha, plan heists, to the last detail, for fun. Once they have convinced themselves the plan is foolproof, the game is over and they move on to their next virtual robbery.

Of course, there is a hitch. A folio containing the plans for the current round of foolproof finds its way into the wrong hands. With the threat of turning over the plans to the police, one "Leo the Touch" , played with seething menace by David Suchet, blackmails the three into pulling a very big, very real heist.

While blackmail is nothing new, in Foolproof it is a useful mechanism for forcing our three 'ordinary' protagonists into unusual situations. This conceit draws the viewer into the film, because we can't help but picture ourselves in place of the foolproof gang.

The heist isn't the biggest ever committed to celluloid, but neither does it go over the top with huge, gleaming vaults, laser security systems, or 'Mission Impossible'-style rope work. All of these make an appearance in the film, but in a low-key fashion that doesn't create a target so impregnable that the notion of successful robbery becomes incredible. Keeping the technology in the background keeps the focus on the Kevin, Rob and Sam.

Performances from the three leads are solid. Kristen Booth does her best with the weakest part. We don't know her job or anything about her except that she plays foolproof with the other two. She's the most aggressive of the three, easily incapacitating (at least temporarily) a goon whose hands wander during a pat-down.

Ryan Reynolds plays Kevin, the insurance adjuster. His character comes off as nerdy at first, but I think the nerdiness is a front designed to quell the suspicions of his co-workers about his sometimes odd behaviour.

Rob is played by Joris Jarsky. His part is the meatiest. Running a somewhat moribund electronics repair shop, his ambition-challenged character is sorely tempted by the payoff of a real heist. The growing rapport between Leo and Rob forms the heart of the film and gives this popcorn flick its darkest moments.

The snaky Leo is easily the strongest presence in the film. He is so enjoyably villainous, I felt bad for him when things didn't quite pan out as planned.