The 15:17 To Paris

When I first heard of this movie, I thought that it had everything that I like in a movie:

1) Road trip theme (well, train-road-trip theme).
2) Based on "true events" that I can actually recall.
3) Foreign backdrop (Italy, France, Netherlands, Germany, etc.)
4) Okay, I have to admit, "pride of our countrymen".
5) Directed by Clint Eastwood.
6) Storyline of ordinary people put into extra-ordinary situations that are believable.
7) It actually stars the real life heroes of the event that were involved. A first, I believe, outside of the world of docu-dramas.

 Right out of the starting gate, I was hopeful. As we all knew the story, due to the facts that it all unfolded in front of our eyes due to our and other nation's (BBC, Al Jeezera,, etc.) 24 hour news channels that crave content such as this because we, the people, crave it. There is no mud-slingign here.

(Quick note: This movie review will not contain any spoilers, plot point or any story aspect that would in anyway prevent you from experiencing the movie as unknown entity (other than what you are likely to know because it's in the public domain.

 To further my point, I believe that "trailers" often ruin the experience. As such, I will keenly keep my reviews void of even anything the even trailer might reveal. I will, of course, have to describe some scenes or actors to illustrate a point. But not much more than that.

 The purpose of my review is how I reacted to it and if it's worth your hard earned money and more importantly, your time. The most valuable commodity on Earth.

 Opening shot: Train Station in Europe. The frame consists of following a regular-street-clothing male walking between train tracks tugging roller bag just behind him. It is only until he boards the train does he face the camera. A young middle-eastern man with a beard and sunglasses. Then we cut to a classroom in the United States, where our heroes are having career day.

 Okay. Enough. The stage has been set. That is the first 90 seconds of the film. There are no surprises in the film, nor did I expect any.

 What I did enjoy was the fact that these were the same people who made international new by thwarting a feeble attempt to terrorize France via the the man I described at the top of this review. I was watching more in a "What if I were in one of [the heroes'] shoes?

Would have I done X or Y?

So, while yes, their acting (or lack of it) slightly pulled oneself out of the film. But in the end, I'm truly happy for them.

For the bravery I am not sure I have. My only other "ding" is the overuse of flasbacks. But when all considered, I understood why they were present. It's a 90 minute movie. And they were stretching too get there.

 7/10