The Vault (2021) – Review/Summary (with Spoilers)
The Vault may not be competitive in the heist genre, but It does work as something to watch when nothing else is new or on.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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The Vault may not be competitive in the heist genre, but It does work as something to watch when nothing else is new or on.
| Director(s) | Jaume Balaguero |
| Screenplay By | Rafa Martinez, Adres Koppel, Borja Glez. Santaolalla, Michel Gaztambide, Rowan Athale |
| Date Released (Digital) | 3/26/2021 |
| Genre(s) | Action, Crime, Young Adult |
| Duration | 1 Hour 58 Minutes |
| Rating | R |
| Noted Cast | |
| Thomas | Freddie Highmore |
| Walter | Liam Cunnigham |
| James | Sam Riley |
| Simon | Luis Tosar |
| Klaus | Axel Stein |
| Lorraine | Astrid Berges-Frisbey |
This content contains pertinent spoilers. Also, images and text may contain affiliate links, which, if a purchase is made, we’ll earn money or products from the company.
Film Summary
22-year-old Thomas, often called Thom, is considered a bit of a genius after inventing a concrete bell that lessened an oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. With that, so many oil companies are after him but with Thomas wanting to do something which helps the environment, not protects oil companies, he finds himself bored by their proposals, no matter how high the salary.
Enter Walter, James, Simon, Klaus, and Lorraine, who salvage goods from various places, like the ocean, and have lately focused on Sir Francis Drake’s lost treasure. In partnership with Lorraine, Walter recruits Thomas to break into the Bank of Spain for the coins that contain the coordinates to Sir Francis Drake’s treasure. However, with the vault having impenetrable security and Walter relying on the distraction of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Thomas’ days are numbered to find the problem Walter knows exist and solve it.
Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Reason(s) for Film Rating: Cursing, smoking, drinking, but nothing shocking.
- Jump Scares/ Laughs/ Tear-Jerking Moments: N/A
Review
Highlights
A Complex Problem With the Right Team
What makes The Vault entertaining, despite it being nearly 2 hours, is that it has the right cast to handle such a lengthy movie. Between Highmore and Cunningham, they make the perfect duo to play the leads that are trying to get Simon, James, Lorraine, and Klaus prepped and able to execute the plan. And even outside of their leadership, you have to appreciate Riley as James for being the group’s pessimist. Mainly because most of what Thomas says doesn’t make sense. So having someone question it makes you feel less alone in not understanding how certain things work.
Then with Lorraine, while this is something flirty going on between her and Thomas, it isn’t 100% clear if it is something romantic or her doing what she needs to get the best out of him. For example, Thomas is someone who overthinks to the point he stays up 40+ hours trying to solve a problem Walter has tasked him with, and Lorraine is the one who helps him calm down and inspires a solution. And repeatedly, it is her advice and presence which seems to bring Thomas to finding a resolution to whatever problem he, or the group, is facing.
As for the rest of the group? Klaus is your general hacker, who is cool enough, and thankfully not so geeky it’s like he is speaking a foreign language, and Simon? Well, he just comes off like that cool uncle who gave you your first taste of liquor when you were 12. And while we don’t have much to say about these two, don’t think that is downplaying how much they keep things moving in the film. We have no problem omitting characters if they didn’t feel necessary to mention.
Lorraine
Easily Lorraine could have just been one of two female characters, amongst the whole 2-hour film, and have just been Thomas’ love interest. However, they give her a backstory, make her into this talented pickpocket, and make her essential for the job to go well. Making it so, by the end of the film, you get why many posters have Berges-Frisbey as top billing.
On The Fence
The Reasoning Behind People Being Part Of The Heist Isn’t Strong
Perhaps the main issue that we have with The Vault is that no one has a compelling reason to be part of this job beyond loyalty or Thomas’ claim of wanting a challenge – though we know it was really Lorraine. And because of that, when you see all that they go through to pull the job off, it makes you think, “There isn’t this much loyalty in the world.”
Add in money doesn’t appear to be an issue for anyone involved, except maybe Lorraine, and it really pushes you to wonder if this is all done for a thrill or not?
Overall
Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
While by no means complicated or trying to compete with Oceans 11, or other heist movies, The Vault keeps you entertained for two hours. Not to the point you’ll be begging for a sequel, but for a Sunday afternoon, this is definitely something worth watching.
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