'Going in Style' Movie Review

Hello, fellow moviegoers!
   Going in Style is directed by Zach Braff, and it stars Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin. It tells the story of three older gentlemen in New York. After losing their jobs and being scammed by their bank, they decide to do something big so they can live the rest of their lives in happiness. They decide to rob a bank. 

   Going in Style was a pleasant little movie that I believe you can have fun with, but it’s not going to be one of your favorites of the year by any stretch of the imagination. This is one of those movies that for some odd reason you’ll randomly see on Netflix a couple years from now, and you’ll think “Oh yeah, I saw that didn’t I? That was good, maybe I'll watch it again”.
   The premise behind Going in Style was a very original one. The plot of this movie didn’t remind me of any other movies that I’ve seen before. That’s good because it makes this movie stand out a little bit more. There weren’t a lot of clichés or plot points to follow from previous films. By having an original plot, Going in Style was given the freedom to be a completely unique film.
   As I’m sure you’ve guessed, this movie is a comedy. It is directed by Zach Braff, who most people will know as the main guy from the hit TV sit-com Scrubs. Most of the comedy from this film derives from the ridiculous situation that these characters are in. Most of the jokes and gags involving their heist and its preparation actually work fairly well. It’s when the film forces in unnecessary jokes that are irrelevant to the plot that the humor doesn’t work. Luckily, for the most part, the film doesn’t do that, but there are a few points where it’s extremely noticeable.
   The biggest surprise about this film, to me, was the heart. I couldn’t help but actually care about these three old guys. The film did a great job selling their friendship. I was convinced that these three guys were best friends and had been for quite some time. There’s a subplot in this film involving the son-in-law of Michael Caine’s character, and that story also worked pretty well. It wasn’t necessarily a key part of the story, but it added another layer of depth to the story, and at times you might be a little moved by it emotionally.
   An integral part of what makes this film work was the cast. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin all work very well together. They are the reason why their characters are so believable. While their performances were nothing extraordinary, they weren’t cashed in either. The actors gave enough to make the characters interesting; granted, they didn’t have a lot to work with. These characters, on paper, aren’t interesting. However, Caine, Freeman, and Arkin elevate these characters with their performances, which in turn, elevates the film as a whole.
   At the end of the day, your life isn’t going to be affected by Going in Style in any way, shape, or form. That being said, if you’re looking for just a fun little film to watch, this film might be the one for you. It’s got a great cast, an interesting premise, and it’s decently fun. It has a surprising amount of heart to it, and it plays up its ridiculous premise well. Going in Style is by no means fantastic, but it is good.

6.5/10

   So what did you think of Going in Style? Can you imagine yourself watching this movie again? Let me know by commenting on this post! Also, if you enjoyed this review, share it on Facebook and Twitter. It really helps! Don’t forget, I post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so check back then for more movie reviews and other miscellaneous movie thoughts!

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