I’m taking a look at a Pacino film from 2012. This is the Stand Up Guys blu-ray review, as a big Al Pacino fan I’ve seen pretty much all of his films. However this 2012 offering I’ll admit passed me by, that is until now. It’s time for a closer look…
- Stand Up Guys (2012)
- Genre: Crime, Comedy
- Directed by Fisher Stevens
- Written by Noah Haidle
- Music by Lyle Workman
- Cinematography by Michael Grady
- UK Rating 15
- Discs: 1
- Released By Entertainment in Video
Plot
After serving 28 years in prison Val (Al Pacino) is finally released and is met by old pal Doc (Christopher Walken). The two of them plus another friend Hirsch (Alan Arkin) used to carry out jobs and I mean the gangster kind.
When one such job went bad Val was sent down but kept his mouth shut, so all is good right? Not quite as the son of their former boss died in their last job and he wants revenge and Doc has to administer it on his behalf. The problem is that means killing his best friend Val.
With the three friends reunited their go for one last wild night out.
Style / Direction
This is a very well shot and good looking film and the pacing is just about perfect allowing enough time for the characters to reveal themselves. Director Fisher Stevens delivers a very accomplished piece of filmmaking.
Music / Audio Effects
The music feels right with songs coming from Jon Bon Jovi, such as Old Habits Die Hard giving a retrospective feel. Other times the music feels a little more bluesy at times.
Acting / Characters
The two main players in this film are without doubt Pacino and Walken.
Al Pacino is kind of exceptional in this role, he is a guy out to have some fun whilst accepting his fate.
This maybe a crime, comedy but don’t worry although there’s plenty silly situations the humour is delivered in a dry manner and Pacino shines in this role.
Christopher Walken delivers a calm and more reserved performance, interspliced with the odd scene of violence. Again the delivery is dry and plays his character to perfection. As they say sometimes less is more and that proves to be the case here.
Alan Arkin plays the third member of the team and is sprung from his nursing home, also puts in good performance. He is a slightly more humane character who just happens to be the driver, so what better way for him to enjoy himself than in a nice new muscle car, stolen of course!
The other performance of note comes from Addison Timlin who plays young waitress named Alex. Doc visits the dinner every day and likes talking with her.
Addison Timlin plays this role to perfection, it’s only a small part but she comes across as very natural. Her performance certainly adds warmth to the overall feel the film was aiming for.
The acting on show here is what really makes this film an enjoyable watch. This is in essence an actor’s film with some action thrown in to spice things up.
Conclusion: Stand Up Guys (2012) Film Review
I’ll admit I thought this was going to be one of those silly comedy crime films we see all too often. However Stand Up Guys whilst being silly does in a more intelligent way with the lines being delivered in a dry manner. Sure we still have scenes such Val and Doc breaking into the drug store to steal some Viagra as Val can’t get it up. The scene then proceeds to show Doc stocking up on his medication for his various conditions like hypertension.
I have the feeling if this film had starred Robert De Niro, of whom I’m a huge fan, this would of played out more like Analyse This or Meet The Parents in terms of style of humour.
Thankfully the film goes for the drier comedic delivery which is more to my liking.
I didn’t have high hopes for this one but whilst it won’t win any awards I actually found myself being thoroughly drawn in to this rather silly plot.
It simply works very well and the acting from Pacino and Walken is the key to this. Trust me this one is worth a watch it’s a nicely paced crime, comedy with plenty of action to boot.
If was to compare Stand Up Guys to another film it would be the British film We Still Kill The Old Way (2014). Both are about the old style gangster types who value loyalty and humour in equal measure. They are done in that retro meets the modern world kind of style.
Stand Up Guys is an extremely underrated film that deserves to be enjoyed by a wider audience than it’s had so far. I love the fact that films like these are still made, they may not make a hugh impact upon release but over time they gain cult status, which this surely will.
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Conclusion: Stand Up Guys Blu-ray Review
No need to mention sound and picture quality as it perfect being from 2012. So what about the extras?
A nice set of extras giving a little insight into the making of the film. Not every film requires hour’s worth of documentaries and what is included if fine with me.
Extras
- The Lowdown On Making Stand Up Guys
- The Stand Up Songs Of Jon Bon Jovi
- American Muscle: The Stand Up Stunt driving Scenes
- Deleted Scenes
- Audio Commentary from Director
Stand Up Guys (2012) Blu-ray is available now from Amazon.co.uk.
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Popcorn Cinema Rating: Stand Up Guys (2012)
MOVIE RATING: MUST SEE
BLU-RAY RATING: EXCELLENT
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
Stand Up Guys (2012) Film Trailer
For those of you yet to see the film I’ll leave you with a little taster with trailer…
Clip not representative of the Blu-ray version
That’s my Stand Up Guys Blu-ray Review, if you have any thoughts on this film leave them in the comment section below:
Summary: Stand Up Guys (2012) Blu-ray Review
Movie title: Stand Up Guys (2012)
Duration: 95 mins
Director(s): Fisher Stevens
Actor(s): Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin
Genre: Crime, Comedy
- Movie Rating
- Blu-ray Rating
- Extras
Summary
A Crime, Comedy with a sense of style and dry humour make for a appealing story well acted.
