They say there’s very little that can keep a good man down, but not even a good man can keep a mediocre movie from going straight to DVD. Or something like that. This seems to be the calling card of writer/director Dito Montiel who clearly is more skilled as a blackmailer than filmmaker as he somehow keeps attracting A-list talent to his B-list films.
Robert Downey Jr, Al Pacino, Channing Tatum, Shia LeBeouf, Terence Howard, Rosario Dawson and many more have made films with Montiel, and now it’s the turn of Liam Hemsworth, Michael Angarano and Mr Franchise Viagra himself, Dwayne Johnson, to not only take each other on but also vie for shelf space at the local Mr Video.
Based on the true story of an $11 million cash heist in 1982, considered the largest cash robbery at that time, Empire State is a drama focuesed on two childhood friends who plan to rob an armored car depository, and the NYPD officer who stands in their way
Just like most of Montiel’s most recent films, there’s nothing wrong with the setup of the film, and as can be gauged from the trailer, he’s not committing any serious film felonies either. The problem is that just about everything has a been there, done that feel to it. And even with all his physical prowess, it seems that not even Dwayne Johnson can drag his way out of the middle of the road.
After starting off his career reasonably decent enough with A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Montiel has been on a downward spiral of reviews and box office revenue (which is more than likely what prompted Lionsgate to kick this one to the home release curb), and if this trend continues it will only be a matter of time before he’s directing Cynthia Rothrock in something.
Empire State hits DVD and Blu Ray on September 3, 2013.
Last Updated: June 25, 2013
