Following the underwhelming ‘Cult Killer,’ director Jon Keeyes fails to deliver an enjoyable action film with ‘The Clean up Crew,’ released by Saban Films. The screenplay, penned by Matthew Rogers, features a cast including Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Swen Temmel, Ekaterina Baker, Academy Award winner Melissa Leo, and Antonio Banderas, who previously collaborated with Keeyes on ‘Cult Killer.’
On the fringe of London, the film introduces us to aspiring boxer Alex (Rhys Meyers), his boss, Siobhan (Leo), and other co-workers, who clean up crime scenes for a living. One day, during their latest assignment, they inadvertently discover a case filled with money and think it may be an answer to all of their problems. However, unbeknownst to them, the money belongs to crime boss Gabriel (Banderas), who needs it to pay off corrupt law enforcement officers. Naturally, this leads us to a series of misadventures for Alex and Siobhan, as heroes trying to keep the money, take down Gabriel’s crime syndicate and stay one step ahead of the dirty cops who want their piece of the pie.
“The Clean up Crew’ is a film with a straightforward concept that needs to deliver the expected level of entertainment. The introduction sequence must genuinely captivate the audience while setting up the plot involving Banderas’s character. Banderas’s prime is a thing of the past, and his participation in the film seems driven solely by financial gain. Moreover, the film’s action sequences fail to leave a lasting impression and suffer due to the excessive use of shaky camera work. The hope of witnessing Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ boxer character engage in a tightly choreographed altercation with a similarly skilled opponent remains unfulfilled throughout the film.
I want to bring attention to the character portrayed by Melissa Leo in the film. Melissa Leo’s portrayal of Siobhan, the blunt owner of Good Life Cleaners, stands out. Unlike Banderas, Leo’s performance exudes a sense of enjoyment and adds complexity to the character. Notably, her character’s background becomes significant when faced with challenging situations. Leo’s performance is a standout element in the film. Additionally, Rhys Meyers deserves commendation for deviating from his typical roles. In previous comedic performances, his delivery often felt contrived. However, in this film, his portrayal of Alex exudes an entirely natural and amusing vulnerability, showcasing his versatility.
Despite the best efforts of two cast mates, “The Clean Up Crew” has the pitfalls of a movie you’ve seen before and a phoned-in performance from Banderas.
Final Grade: D+
“THE CLEAN UP CREW” IS Available on Digital and On Demand on August 20
Music fans in the DMV area are in for a treat as Season 2 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard brings his Masterpiece tour to America’s Legendary Music Hall, The Birchmere, in Alexandria, VA. The concert will take place next Sunday, September 15th, and will promote his eighth studio album, “The Way I Remember It.”
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This weekend is about celebrating the King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson, and his legacy. For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to highlight his debut solo album, “Got To Be There,” which was released on January 24th, 1972.