Casino Robbers Overtake a Bus in Action Thriller ‘Heist’

Jeff Beachnau

Likeable croupier Luke Vaughn (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) works at The Swan, a successful, albeit corrupt, casino run by Francis “The Pope” Silva (Robert De Niro). Vaughn’s young daughter is living with cancer, and being the low man on the totem pole, he has no way to pay for the $300,000 operation to save her life. After approaching Silva about a loan an argument ensues and Vaughn is not only denied the money but fired. On his last day on the job, he is recruited by fellow disgruntled employee Cox (played by professional wrestler Dave Bautista) to be part of his team planning to rob the casino of millions.

But it’s a robbery gone all wrong. Out of options the band of thieves hijack a city bus and take the passengers hostage. After the three masked men with guns board a city bus and take charge, “Heist” hits the ground running. However, for a film called “Heist” the heist itself is pretty short lived. Most of the action takes place after the team steals of the money. De Niro, as usual, is a force to be reckoned with, and pulls no punches. He sends his henchman, played by Morris Chestnut, to hunt down the suspected thieves. Vaughn and the rest of his team get desperate and hitch a ride with the first thing smoking. Unfortunately for them it gains the attention of the local news, the SWAT team and Silva himself.

The independent film directed by Scott Mann and starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Gina Carano and Robert De Niro gets right into the action and doesn’t let up. Though it’s not a big budget extravaganza and leaves something to be desired, what the characters lack in backstory and depth they make up for in action and on-screen chemistry.

This is an entertaining film and exciting to watch. The actors seem to be having a good time, the action is consistent, and it’s got a lot of tricks up its sleeve. Viewers will enjoy it, even if they’re wondering why the movie was called “Heist” and not “Hijack.”

“Heist” premieres both in theaters and on demand Nov. 13.