The film takes time to set up the backstory and illustrate the setting of the new heist, but it eventually finds the right tempo and tone for the rest of the movie. The banter between the old friends makes the film very enjoyable, and Jay Baruchel delivers some memorable lines as Francie, the newest addition to the team. One particularly comedic scene involves Francie trying to cross the Canadian–American border and attempting to stay calm while in a very poor disguise. A side storyline involving two Interpol agents played by Jason Jones and Terence Stamp also adds an aspect of humor to the film.
Much of the plot is heavily influenced by similar movies, but there is enough originality to make up for it. While some of the twists are predictable—any non–movie character could have seen the unreliable criminals coming—the film does a good job of tidying up all the loose ends in a somewhat surprising way that makes the “The Art of the Steal” an overall enjoyable viewing experience. And although some of the plot lines and characters can come off as forced and unnecessary, they are all neatly resolved before the ending.
Ultimately, the bits of comedy mixed with the action of the heist make “The Art of a Steal” a pleasant, albeit forgettable, movie.
Grade: B Runtime: 90 mins See if you liked: “Ocean’s Eleven”
