Review: Marauders

There have been a string of bank robberies committed at banks owned by bigwig Bruce Willis, and the FBI (including Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista, and newbie Adrian Grenier) are pretty much stumped, making Meloni incredibly pissed off. Somehow tied into the plot of the film are Willis’ dead soldier brother, as well as a seemingly shady homicide detective (played by Jonathon Schaech), who may or may not be as bad as he initially seems, but is definitely a bit of an arsehole. Keen viewers and WWE fans may be able to spot former ‘Diva’ Torrie Wilson in a small part (I wasn’t watching wrestling during that era so I wouldn’t know her if I fell over her).

This review was originally posted before the announcement of Willis' illness/retirement and certain comments are obviously no longer relevant. Nonetheless I'd rather add these words than subtract anything, perhaps as a reminder that we don't know someone's personal circumstance.

Director Steven C. Miller gets yet another pay check performance out of Bruce Willis in this direct-to-DVD “Heat” from 2017 (They’ve made at least three films together, including the sub-par “First Kill”). Willis is in typical non-committal mode here, save for one scene involving an Edgar Allen Poe reference where it appears he’s at least half-invested. You’ll know it when you see it. I know a lot of people see their job as just the thing they do for money, but part of the job of any actor is to hide that from the audience. Willis has stopped giving a shit for the better part of two decades now. He gets his cash, he’s fine with whatever you think of him. Whatever, Bruce.

Otherwise, the film’s actually not half-bad actually. Christopher Meloni can be a bit much sometimes, but in the lead here he gives a really solid performance, just reining it in enough not to be too hammy. Former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista isn’t bad either, though his role isn’t terribly complex. Jonathon Schaech plays the film’s most interesting character, a total a-hole cop who is possibly dirty…but also a loving husband to a terminally ill wife. It might be his best performance that I’ve seen.

For a while, I was actually enjoying the film, even with Willis dragging it down somewhat. Aside from Willis, what ultimately lets the film down is how the story is told. As directed by Miller and scripted by Chris Sivertson (director of the infamous “I Know Who Killed Me”) and Michael Cody (his first and so far only credit), the plot is a little difficult to follow at times. Also, the ‘surprise’ bad guy shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. I picked them out from almost their first scene. The finale is also a bit of an unconvincing mess, to be honest. So one big casting issue and a couple of nagging storytelling issues pull this one back a peg. It nearly comes off, but not quite.

A well-utilised Christopher Meloni and a really heart-breaking Jonathon Schaech very nearly make this cops and robbers film work. Unfortunately, Bruce Willis doesn’t give a crap, and the story is simultaneously confusing and transparent. So close to being recommended but not quite, and a long way from being “Heat”. 

Rating: C+