“Missed at the Box Office”: Empire State - A Review
In our weekly “Missed at the Box Office” column, we highlight films that, for various reasons, didn’t make it to Russian cinemas but still deserve your attention. This week, we’re diving into “Empire State,” a crime drama that might have slipped under your radar.
The Setup
Chris (Liam Hemsworth) lands a job as a security guard for an armored car company. On his very first day, he narrowly survives a violent robbery attempt on his truck. Frustrated, his superiors reassign him to night duty at a warehouse, where a cool $25 million in cash sits under the watchful eye of an aging guard dog. Such a tempting target doesn’t go unnoticed by Chris’s street-smart acquaintances, whom he naively confides in, ultimately leading him into a dangerous and compromising situation.
A Solid Crime Drama
It’s somewhat of an injustice that “Empire State” never received even a limited theatrical release in the US, ending up as a direct-to-DVD and Blu-ray title. This is a well-constructed, gritty, and genuinely engaging crime action-drama. The film, partly set within New York’s Greek community, avoids cheap thrills and artificial emotions. While Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, despite his presence on the promotional posters, plays a supporting role that doesn’t stray far from his usual on-screen persona, Hemsworth delivers a surprisingly convincing performance as the naive and easily manipulated Chris. He truly embodies the character.
Michael Angarano Steals the Show
However, the real standout is Michael Angarano, who injects the film with a palpable energy and nervous intensity. His boundless energy and expressive range, without ever veering into caricature, elevate the film beyond typical “B-movie” fare.
Entertainment with a Message
Ultimately, “Empire State,” from the director of tough, “masculine” films like “Fighting” and “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” isn’t high art. Its primary goal is to entertain with action, shootouts, and colorful language, all of which it delivers in abundance. Beyond the surface, the filmmakers subtly weave in moral lessons relevant to a broad audience. These themes add depth to what appears to be a simple story, one that echoes the structure and tone of a classic epic poem.