See it at the Movies

MONEY MONSTER

By Joyce and Don Fowler
Posted 5/18/16

* * * ½

(Tense drama)

If you like tense dramas along the lines of Dog Day Afternoon and Network, you’ll enjoy Money Monster.

George Clooney plays Lee Gates, host of the TV show “Money …

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See it at the Movies

MONEY MONSTER

Posted

* * * ½

(Tense drama)

If you like tense dramas along the lines of Dog Day Afternoon and Network, you’ll enjoy Money Monster.

George Clooney plays Lee Gates, host of the TV show “Money Monster,” where he gives his readers financial advice and tips on the market. Gates is an over-the-top showman, dancing around the set, wearing ridiculous costumes and prompted through is earpiece by his director (Julia Roberts) constantly telling him what to do and say.

A “computer glitch” happens in one of his tips, resulting in an $800 million loss. As Gates starts his show, a suspicious deliveryman is seen lurking behind the set, interrupting the show by waving his revolver and forcing Gates to don an explosive vest. Chaos follows, as Gates panics, hyperventilates, sweats and ends up further irritating the gunman with his glib comments.

Jack O’Connell is great as Kyle Budwell, the angry viewer who lost all of his money after taking Gates’ advice. He holds the detonator switch nervously in his hand, threatening to blow up the building and killing himself and Gates in the process unless he gets answers.

We do learn a bit along the way about how the stock market works, and how a corrupt businessman can beat the system.

Clooney is very believable as he goes from panic to fear to sympathy for a loser who just wants to know how a computer glitch could ruin his life and who should be held accountable. The search is on to track down the corporate head as the tension builds.

Gates, determined to find answers, begins to help the distraught but dangerous man. The cops and snipers are everywhere. The closing minutes are filled with surprises, twists and turns, and an action-packed ending.

While not an Oscar contender, “Money Monster” is exciting enough to warrant your attention at a time when people are asking us, “Isn’t there anything out there to see?”

Rated R, with lots of profanity and some violence.

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