Safe House (2012) Review

Ryan Reynolds plays Matt Weston, a stay at home CIA agent stationed in South Africa biding his time until he gets called into action, when Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington), an on-the-run international fugitive hands himself in to avoid being killed. Frost gets taken to Weston’s “Safe House” to be interrogated, which is then infiltrated by armed militia. Frost is now Weston’s responsibility, so to save Frost he escapes the Safe House and has to keep him Safe outside. The film tells the story of the two on the run, encountering obstacles and mysteries.

From the summary of the plot, you wouldn’t think you’ve seen this before, but you have. Although a film in it’s own right, the running undertone of this feature is what Denzel’s character has to teach Matt Weston. Matt Weston (A rookie) is charged with the care of Frost, but as the films progress’ you learn that it may not all be as it seems. Tobin Frost is pinned as an American traitor who sells government information to rival countries at a hefty price, but it was he who was double crossed and has a lot to teach the naive Weston. The reason I bring up these subtle roles is that Denzel has played these before in films such as Training Day and Unstoppable. Both of which I may add, are better films.
The acting performances here were mediocre, nothing more. You get what you expect with Ryan Reynolds while Washington pulls the whole film upward a notch as per usual. The whole way through it seemed as if the director (Daniel Espinosa) had decided safe was the best option, with the sets, camera angles, acting and screenplay. Nothing feels new or unique. And this is what you get, a cliche and semi-deep action film with well known actors that isn’t trying to be anything else. So on a rainy day when you have nothing to do but search netflix, if this pops up, watch it. In any other situation, unless you’re a massive fan of any of the actors, take a pass on this one.