Blu-ray Review: FLYPAPER - Hilarious Crime Caper

With two simultaneous bank robberies going on at the same time, Flypaper is a real hoot! Check it out on Blu-ray and DVD now and read on for our review... Tripp (Patrick Dempsey) strolls into a bank to get some change and finds himself ending up as a hostage for two bank robbing gangs that are holding up the bank he€™s chosen to use. With an almost Sherlock Holmes like intelligence, Tripp decides to try and solve the Agatha Christie inspired mystery, whilst trying to protect and win the affections of bank teller Kaitlin (Ashley Judd), who he€™s irrationally fallen for! But not everything is at it seems, and Tripp may just have a hard time trying to solve the multiple twists and turns that keep coming his way... Flypaper is a brilliant blend of action, drama and laugh out loud comedy, with an underlying mystery thrown in for good measure. Although the plot is rather predictable at times, it never fails to be engaging or enjoyable and the central mystery is not easily figured out. The multilayered twists and turns keep viewers interested and the plot moving at a fast pace. There are a number of red herrings that will keep viewers€™ minds ticking over, whilst ensuring that the identity of Vicellus Drum is never obvious as the narrative constructs everyone as potentially not being what they seem. There€™s some solid action sequences within the film €“ blazing gun fights and humongous explosions predominantly €“ but the film is less an action adventure and more an intelligent crime comedy, so viewers hoping for something along the lines of Die Hard in a bank will be sorely disappointed. However, for those who enjoy a rather light-hearted approach to the heist caper, Flypaper will be right up your street! The ensemble cast are well chosen, with leads roles for Ashley Judd and Patrick Dempsey. Dempsey gives an excellent performance as Tripp, a character who resembles a more humorous version of Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock in the eponymous television show. Tripp is irritatingly observant and socially awkward, but Dempsey still makes him likeable and viewers will find themselves rooting for him in his attempts to investigate the murder of Hayes. Judd gives a strong performance as the sarcastic and rather aloof bank teller that Tripp has the hots for, but she's rather underused. She remains a figure of calm and collect whilst Tripp enthusiastically goes about his enquiries. Pruitt Taylor Vince,Tim Blake Nelson, Mekhi Phifer, John Ventimiglia and Matt Ryan hilariously play the antagonists. The first two play southern hillbillies who have no idea how to rob a bank and the actors' performances brilliantly capture the comedy of the characters' ineptitudes. The interplay between Vince and Nelson verges on the edge of slapstick, but helps provide some genuine laugh out loud moments. The latter three are more serious criminals, but comedy is generated through their frustration with the other robbers, Tripp and the gang of hostages. Solid support comes from a host of other talent, with Octavia Spencer as a sassy bank teller and Jeffrey Tambor as an incontinent and unpredictable bank manager being the highlights.

QUALITY

Visually, Flypaper is very impressive. Lionsgate's transfer is virtually free from any blemishing, unsightly grain or other visual distortion. Definition is proficient, but lacks enough clarity to pick up the smaller details. The colour scheme is rather basic, with multiple shades of grey, brown and cream being the predominant hues. Glimmers of colour permeate throughout the narrative and these are rich and bright when on screen. The audio is also solid, with dialogue clean and clear throughout. The musical soundtrack is suspenseful and expressive, without being overpowering. Ambient and special effects sounds are good, with the latter being full and robust in a bid to put viewers into the centre of the action.

EXTRAS

There are no extras housed on the release unfortunately. Flypaper is available now on Blu-ray.