Criminal

Criminal is a compelling action thriller that debuted in 2016. The film boasts a star-studded cast of Hollywood bigwigs, consisting of Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot. Directed by Ariel Vromen and penned by Douglas Cook and David Weisberg, this compelling narrative draws us into a world of espionage, high-stakes risk, and intricate cross-continental intrigue.

The film’s narrative revolves around Jericho Stewart (Kevin Costner), a ruthless, hardened death-row inmate with no semblance of morality or humanity left in him. Jericho is bizarrely unique, owing to a severe childhood brain injury that left him with a frontal lobe defect. This defect makes him incapable of processing human emotions like fear or empathy but also leaves him with a heightened capacity for understanding and retaining knowledge.

Elsewhere, we encounter Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds), a valiant CIA agent operating in London. He falls into a horrid trap resulting in his untimely demise, taking with him critical information that could jeopardize national security. Herein lies the ticking time bomb—Pope was the only link to a hacker known as 'The Dutchman.' Disgruntled and with the threat of impending global catastrophe, the CIA is desperate to retrieve Pope's knowledge. This is where the worlds of Jericho and the late-Pope entwine.

In a desperate and audacious move, the CIA opts to perform an experimental neurosurgery on Jericho, transferring Pope’s memories, secrets, and skills into Jericho's brain. The success of this operation is crucial for global safety, as it is the only hope of preventing a bleak scenario that could trigger the third world war. Tommy Lee Jones plays the neuroscientist Dr. Franks, who carries out this ground-breaking procedure.

However, blending the consciousness of a cold-blooded convict and a devoted family man and spy is far from uncomplicated. The surgery is successful and Jericho begins to experience Pope's memories and emotions. He finds out about Pope's wife Jill, portrayed by Gal Gadot, and begins to develop an unusual attachment to her and her child, driven by Pope’s emotional memory.

Criminal becomes an explosive mix of rapid-fire action and shocking emotional complexity. As Jericho, Kevin Costner navigates the tumultuous waters of a violent criminal dealing with unanticipated emotions, surprising everyone with his intense performance. Amidst a high-stakes game of catch and kill, the narrative peppers in unexpected emotional depth as Jericho confronts his newfound feelings.

Ryan Reynolds also holds his own as Bill Pope, with a brief role that nonetheless carries weight throughout the film. Gal Gadot's performance as Jill, who must deal with the sudden loss of her husband and the emergence of a man who seems to be a piece of him, adds to the emotional depth of the movie.

Criminal also offers high-octane action sequences, evoking an adrenaline rush from the moment it begins. Shot across numerous international locations, the film takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through shootouts, car chases, and gritty combat scenes that keep audiences on the edge of their respective seats.

If action thrillers are a genre of preference, Criminal offers a grand banquet. With a unique premise built around cutting-edge neuroscience, fast-paced action, and an emotional rollercoaster thrown into the mix, it's a memorable film that stays with you long after the credits roll. It's proof that an action movie doesn't have to sacrifice character depth and emotional heft for thrills and chills—Criminal manages to deliver all of the above.

Criminal is a thrilling journey that keeps audiences guessing and demonstrates that even the most hardened criminals may just have a glimmer of redemption within. The movie begs the question of what makes us who we are - our memories, our actions, or something undefinably more profound. A worthy watch, penetrating the surface of a traditional action-thriller movie and diving into deep, thought-provoking nuances of memory, identity, and humanity.