Review: Masterminds BD + Screen Caps

THE MOVIE — 2.0/5

Loosely based on true events, Masterminds (originally titled Loomis Fargo then Armored Car), was in limbo following the bankruptcy of Relativity before being dumped into theaters nabbing a mere $17 million domestically. It’s easy to see why it didn’t catch on. Despite a talented cast, it’s a lackluster film where the majority of the jokes fall flat, though I did manage to chuckle a time or two…

The story takes place in 1996 and focuses on the hapless David Ghantt (ZACH GALIFIANAKIS), guard for the Loomis Fargo armored car company who gets roped into robbing the company by former employee and crush Kelly Campbell (KRISTIN WIIG) and her friend, Steve Chambers (OWEN WILSON). The job is relatively easy as David is able to load a van of $17 million but David is sent off to Mexico, leaving behind a fiancee (KATE MCKINNON), with only $20k while Chambers and his cohorts take the rest while Kelly strings him along. The remainder involves FBI agents (LESLIE JONES, JON DALY) investigating and, when David gets wise to the scheme, Steve hiring an assassin (JASON SUDEIKIS) to kill him.

I generally like Zach Galifianakis. No, he’s not a brilliant comedian and some of his feature film schtick can get old, but he’s shown he can be funny, ditto for Kirstin Wiig and Jason Sudeikis, the latter did at least breathe some fresh air into a stale plot and laugh-less humor. Kristen Wiig and Owen Wilson, like Galifianakis, are at the mercy of the screenplay and even with Wilson-isms (soft spoken, etc), it’s an all-out flat performance and Wiig serves fair as “The Bait” and/or love interest.

If you notice, being this is a Lorne Michaels production, we do get a few Saturday Night Live alums including cameo-like appearances by Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, though they add nothing although to be fair, like the main cast, don’t get a whole lot to work with.

Masterminds was helmed by Jared Hess best know, or perhaps only known, for Napoleon Dynomite and while I hardly can place all the blame for this film’s messes, mainly jokes that don’t land, and yet, he doesn’t take advantage of a talented cast. I’m pretty easy to please when it comes to comedy but even I only managed a couple chuckles. Also, it’s a bad sign where the outtakes, playing at the end to pad the running time, result in more laughs than the movie itself… I can’t say it’s a horrible movie, or anywhere close to the worst I’ve encountered, but unless you’re a diehard fan of this cast, it’s at best a rental.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.5/5

This release comes with a semi-glossy slip cover. Oddly, no digital copy was included.

Not much here except The Imperfect Crime (16:30; HD) featurette on the actual crime the movie is based upon, which was an interesting watch, and the film’s Theatrical Trailer (2:16; HD).

VIDEO – 4.0/5

AUDIO – 3.75/5

OVERALL – 2.0/5

Overall, Masterminds is a poorly made comedy-caper that has a respectable cast in Galifianakis, Wilson, Wiig and, in a limited role, Sudeikis but both director Jared Hess and the trio of writers can’t make use of any of them with the majority of the jokes failing miserably. This Blu-ray released through Fox offers good video/audio transfers and a so-so featurette.