When a CIA agent named Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) dies before he can reveal the secret location to a hacker named The Dutchman, the CIA implements a desperate plan to find his whereabouts. They turn to an experimental neurosurgeon who can transfer memories from one brain to another. The guinea pig picked for the procedure is Jerico (Kevin Costner), a dangerous death-row inmate who now possesses Pope's memories and abilities.
The synopsis above might seem familiar, especially if you have seen Reynold's previous film Self/Less, but let me assure you that the only thing this has in common with the previous film is the idea of transferring memories. Once you hit that point you are in for a whole different beast of a film. Unlike the other film, that see Reynolds as the star, where it's a good man trying to do a good thing, we see a bad man struggling internally with doing good things while wanting to do bad.
First and foremost, Costner steals the show and proves, once again, that he is incapable of giving a bad performance. From the caged, animalistic demeanor of Jericho to the kinder, gentler Pope, never once does the performance falter or seem unrealistic. Costner has raw talent and at the the age of 61 is still razor sharp.
The supporting cast of Gal Gaddot as Jill (Bill's wife), Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones round out a group of principle players who deliver on screen as we have become accustomed to. Gaddot is excellent in the role of the grieving wife who sees a glimmer of her husband in a man who is foreign to her.
Overall the film is an amazingly fun ride that balances action with a story of redemption and the battle to do right when all you have even know is wrong. If you enjoy Kevin Costner films, then this is one to see as he is on his A-game here.
Rating: 8.5/10 Stars
Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1