Twist Blu-ray Review

THE MOVIE — 2½/5

Plot Synopsis: Set in contemporary London, the film follows the journey of Oliver Twist (RAFF LAW), a gifted graffiti artist trying to find his way after the loss of his mother. Lured into a street gang headed by the paternal Fagin (MICHAEL CAINE), Twist is attracted to the lifestyle – and to Red (SOPHIE SIMMETT), an alluring member of Fagin’s crew. But when an art theft goes wrong, Twist’s moral code is tested as he’s caught between Fagin, the police, and a loose-cannon enforcer (LENA HEADEY).

Quick Hit Review: Twist is a modern adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens’s novel. The movie is more or less a heist film however lacks a consistent identity. The film is rated R for some violence and language yet, with a mostly youngish cast, seems better suited for a PG-13 crowd. Beyond that, though, the film itself just isn’t all that enthralling. The set-up is messy and the acting was borderline subpar, even the usually charismatic Michael Caine seemed uninterested and likely did this perhaps to pay for a vacation home; Lena Headey meanwhile pretty much plays the villain and I suppose is effective though a little vague on the character and her background, but as she’s shown on Game of Thrones and in Dredd, does well in an antagonistic role.

The film is comprised of many twenty-somethings, headlined by Raff Law, who yes is the son of Jude Law; he might not quite have his father’s charisma yet but I thought was alright as the titular character. Sophie Simnett has her moments as the love interest and Rita Ora, who also served as one of 38 executive producers, shows some talent but the script doesn’t give her a whole lot. The remainder of the cast are pretty non-descript or noteworthy (Noel Clarke, who plays one of the inept London detectives, also was an executive producer).

Twist was directed by Martin Owen who previously directed a few other crime-centric films, none of which I had seen. I will give him some credit with a few interesting shots and parkour stunt work, although may make some people feel nauseous. Nothing particularly wrong as the bulk of the issues is with a half-baked script.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 1½/5

This release comes with a matted slip cover and inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. The only feature is The Artful Dodger: Twist’s Underworld featurette.

VIDEO – 4½/5

AUDIO – 4/5

OVERALL – 2½/5

Sometimes these modernized adaptations of classics can work or at least be bizarre and out there (see Romeo+Julet or 2000’s Hamlet) but it doesn’t seem Oliver Twist in this setting quite works on any level. As a heist film it’s bland and as suspense-thriller lacks any tension. The acting is fairly mundane from veterans Michael Caine and Lena Headey while the younger ones, headed by Raff Law, were nothing exceptional. This is a rental at best or pick up on the cheap down the line.