By Ruth Ferguson
NDG Editor
Denzel Washington does bad boys with a twist very well.
In Safe House Washington plays Tobin Frost, a rogue CIA agent who went off the reservation nearly 10 years ago. However, when some very heavily armed killers are in hot pursuit he turns himself in. Frost clearly figures better to deal live another day to deal with legal consequences than face the ruthless killers on his tail.
At least that is what Frost wants the government to think.
Frost is taken to a “safe house” for his interrogation in South Africa where a rookie agent named Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is anxious for his first real assignment. Instead, for the last 12 months Weston has been twiddling his thumbs in what his beautiful girlfriend thinks is a hospital. After complaining about wanting a job opening in Paris, Weston settles in for what he thinks is going to be another mind numbing day in this complex alone.
However, shortly after a team of agents lead by Daniel Kiefer (Robert Patrick) show up with Frost at the proverbial safe house, so do the killers and a bloodbath ensues. Before Weston realizes it he is on the run with Frost to stay alive. A partnership Frost is not very keen on.
Safe House excels in two areas: action packed and the relationship between Weston and Frost. The car chase scenes are on the edge of your seat good, which thrilled the pre-opening screening audience.
In addition to the top notch, chase scenes and shootouts, the audience will delight with the cat and mouse game. Washington and Reynolds have a good chemistry of as the wise old pro and the new kid still wet behind his ears.
Back at the “farm” which is Langley the home of the CIA, there is a bit of a power struggle going on between David Barlow (Brendan Gleeson) and Catherine Linklater (Vera Farmiga). Managing the team is Sam Shepherd’s Harlan Whitford, who is keeping his eye on the political fallout at all times too.
This flick is not quite Training Day, Washington is not even in it as much, but it is a flick that provides solid entertainment. The movie should help Reynolds rebound from a few recent disappointments. The final scene especially seems to leave the door open for the possibilities of a sequel.
It is rated R for strong violence and language.
