The Bounty Hunter (2010)

There are a large number of movies released starring big name stars that just never seem to quite live up to their potential. The movie that is, not the stars. And I don't think it's the fault of the stars either. Some would say it's a combination of script, direction and more but in general I don't think its any one item. It's a combination of them all and perhaps just a lackluster idea that seemed better on paper. Such is the case with THE BOUNTY HUNTER.

Gerard Butler stars as Milo Boyd, a down on his luck bounty hunter deep in debt to bookies who never seems to have much luck. Having just caught a bail jumper the end result is a night in jail for torching a parade float on accident while attempting to catch the guy.

Nicole Hurley (Jennifer Aniston) is a hot shot reporter who thinks she's on to a major story. An apparent suicide left behind too many questions that no one seems to be asking. As Nicole is about to go before a judge for an assault charge (what that involves is revealed later and it's not as funny as it should be) when she gets a call from an informant. Since she doesn't show for her hearing, her bail is revoked and she's a wanted fugitive.

Guess who gets to pick her up for jumping bail? Of course it's Milo, who also just happens to be Nicole's ex-husband. Yes the pair had a parting of the ways and one gets the idea that it wasn't an easygoing divorce. No, both parties seem to not think well of the other. And when Milo tosses Nicole into the trunk of his car to take her in, things don't get a lot better.

As the film moves forward, Milo eventually sees the problems that Nicole is having between trying to find clues to her story that might involve a best friend they both share as well as being shot at by someone who wants this story silenced. Along the way he keeps Nicole handcuffed to the bed at night and has to dodge his own problem, the bookies he owes money to. Somehow the only solutions to their problems is to stick together and figure things out.

This is the type of movie where you know from the first scene that a happy ending is just around the corner no matter how many guns are drawn and how many shots are fired. Goldie Hawn made several films in this genre including FOUL PLAY and BIRD ON A WIRE. A combination of agitation between the two main characters, remembering the past, romance, adventure and the chance that someone might separate the characters that were apart for good by the final reel. But that never happens.

Butler is coming along well with his career but his choices aren't always what he probably hoped for. He's taken a chance with comedy in a couple of films now and though he does an excellent job, he seems more suited for things like 300. Aniston has never seemed to make the leap from small to large screen like many actresses. Which is sad because she genuinely does a good job in everything she's done and this film is no exception.

So what's the problem? The directing is fine, the photography well done and the acting, as state, well above par. I think perhaps the problem lies in the script. The two characters reveal so little of themselves in a positive light that you tend not to care about them. You hope they get back together but know so little of them as the story unfolds. The small glimpses you get are very small indeed.

These are characters that we need to feel for, to understand, to want the best for and until late in the film we never have those emotions touched. Instead we witness two self absorbed people who whine about one another and blame each other for everything that went wrong. It's the Bickersons without the humor.

The laughs are short term and unmemorable. The action is predictable. And the whodunit that the movie surrounds itself around to make it all worthwhile isn't nearly as crafty as it would like us to believe.

All that being said, the movie isn't a bad film and definitely worth a dollar rental. Its just not one of those movies that you'll want to sit on the front shelf and pull down now and then. You may enjoy watching these two gifted actors perform well together once, but long term this isn't a movie you'll add to the collection unless you're a die hard Butler or Aniston fan. So enjoy the small amount of entertainment you get from this one and then let it fly. Perhaps the next movie that arrives in this genre will gel better than this one though.

Look, going into this you know what you're getting. It'll be a pseudo-chick flick in which Jennifer Aniston will be hot; Gerard Butler will be manly; the two will be forced to reconcile because of proximity; and the laughs as well as the action will be dwarfed by the attempts to tie everything into a happily ever after bow.

Milo Boyd (Butler) is a recently fired cop who has taken a job as a bounty hunter. His ex-wife, Nicole Hurley (Aniston), is a pouty journalist who has just skipped a court appearance and jumped bail for a hot story about a potential murder cover-up. Naturally, the paths cross in a soggy Mr. and Mrs. Smith impersonation without the on-screen chemistry. Except Mrs. Smith in this case desperately wants to be with Mr. Smith. And by Mr. Smith I mean Brad Pitt. Hijinks ensue, they reminisce, and yadda yadda yadda.

Watch it on an intercontinental flight and at least you'll pass about two hours. Nothing is really bad, per se, but nothing stands out either. I think I laughed once, and it might have been out of pity. A banal rom-com at best. A better option might be some Tylenol PM and two beers.

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I haven't quite figured out yet just why I like this movie so much but I think I found it to be kind of different, for one thing. Not the same old Jennifer Anniston, playing Rachel Green. Yes, she will always have that type of personality, 'cause that's who she is but I really like the chemistry between her and Gerard Butler for one thing. That's a big deal to me and I like a film where the characters actually grow, learn, change and move on-like they talked about when they had dinner together. Take responsibility for your #*%$ and move on. Also, I appreciated the fact that the few swear words were mild and the little bit of sexual innuendo was pretty tame. I also love Christina Baranski-she's fun no matter what she does but it would have been nice to see her and Anniston have a scene together (on the phone is not doing a scene together). The scene between Baranski and Butler was awesome, they even had chemistry. I also wonder how the actress who played Theresa managed to walk away without fainting when Butler dips her down for a passionate kiss after she hands him a check! Sigh! Now that was hot!

I really love this film. I have a copy that I just put in now when I'm doing other stuff and have it running in the background. It's fun, it's fast, it's clever, and it's crazy. Oh, and most of the violence, directed at Jason Sudekis's, Stewart, is comedic and besides his character deserves it, he plays a dope, but a hilarious dope! At one point, he congratulates himself for something and says, 'Stewart, you a tremendous stud!' Hilarious! He's perfect for the part.

This movie truely is funny and a little sappy. Give it a chance. Oh, and in the end, it also teaches us a good lesson in friendship, so there!

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The Bounty Hunter isn't even remotely funny. Even though it's not really a romance comedy, it sure *feels* like one because of how fruity and nonchalant the whole storyline is. The action bits feel like they were created by a bunch of 5 year olds, or rather, created by a group of writers that were going for something only a *very* select few would be able to appreciate.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised with the main character being Jennifer Aniston. She's not the kind of actress to star in really exciting action-packed films. No, this is definitely NOT a suspenseit's a really pitiful attempt at a comedy involving far-fetched and pointless "bounty hunter" *comedy* segmentscompletely unsuspenseful.

As soon as I found out there was no suspense, well, I said to myself "Maybe I can appreciate it as a comedy film". Nope. I couldn't. Not when I had to sit through one failed attempt at humor after another.

Just skip it.

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This could have been an enjoyable romantic comedy. Yet, so much went wrong with it. There is a lack of chemistry between the leads. The tone of their relationship is cruel, abusive, manipulative, and demeaning. The rest of the cast seems to be a collection of embittered people without even a hint of humanity. There is not one like-able character in the entire ensemble. The last minute "happy ending" doesn't compensate for the dreadful journey getting there. Don't waste your time (or money) on this one!

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