The Outlaws
Just how far are you wiling to go for love?
Initial release: 7 July 2023
Director: Tyler Spindel
Screenplay: Ben Zazove, Evan Turner
Distributed by: Netflix
Produced by: Allen Covert; Adam DeVine; Adam Sandler
Production company: Happy Madison Productions
Cast: Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Nina Dobrev, Ellen Barkin, Lauren Lapkus, Poorna Jagannathan, Richard Kind, Lil Rel Howery, Laci Mosley
Summary
The Outlaws attempts to deliver a comedic drama about a bank manager whose future parents-in-law turn out to be estranged bank robbers with a shady past. Somehow this past comes back to haunt them and he finds himself needing to do very questionable things in order to save his future bride.
Story Line
I thought it was particularly hilarious that in the scene right after the robbery, one black person was giving the cops all the information, and another was staying true to their unwritten code of not talking to police. “I ain’t see shit, I don’t know shit, I don’t talk to cops”, while an apparent snitch is mouthing off in the other corner of the same room. I thought that was a hilarious depiction of the dichotomy of black people.
The movie gets an extra star for comedy. I had quite a few laughs throughout the course of this flick. The snot scene during Owen’s first interrogation with the smiley face in the handkerchief was totally hilarious. Tyree admitting that he hasn’t bought toilet paper in seven years cos he steals too from the bank. The degree of awkwardness at the table when all 4 parents got together was so tense you could cut through it with a knife.
Costume and Setting
I think when I created this category, I had superhero movies in mind. Because I tend to rate regular movies down when the costumes are not over the top. However, if I’m being honest, the wardrobe was pretty decent in this movie. Billy and Lilly McDermont, for example, always looked so suave and sophisticated. You can just tell they were the reason the movie was so titled. The ad placement for Stetson Cologne was pretty subtle, but extremely apt.
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The idea of getting away from the cops by driving through a burial ground was just absolutely sinister stuff. It was hilarious watching the robbers pray for themselves while performing the act. That setting was weird, but I have to say, it was horrifyingly brilliant.
Cinematography
Okay, not bad for an everyday, Adam Sandler flick. Pretty decent, actually. I liked the traffic scene where Owen was trailing his future in laws, because of the aerial shot. The cake shop scene was total chaos, but the second bank robbery scene was even better. That was it, as far as I’m concerned. That was the highlight.
Visually, the film offers some striking scenes, but the overall cinematography and production design feel underwhelming and fail to create a truly immersive world. The action sequences, although frequent, often rely on generic tropes and lack the creativity and innovation needed to stand out in the crowded genre. Furthermore, the pacing feels uneven, with moments of unnecessary exposition slowing down the narrative momentum.
Acting
To be honest, most of it seemed a little forced. Adam Devine did an incredible job of playing the class clown, but it still seems unnatural, albeit true to Adam Sandler movies. You know how Chris Pine was just naturally funny in Dungeons and Dragons? Yeah, don’t expect to see that here. The movie is funny, but the characters aren’t. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s pretty solid acting, to be honest, it’s just nothing spectacular.
I did particularly love Lauren Lapkus as Phoebe King. She was positively over the top. I also liked Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty as Neil and Margie Browning, simply because they were very oblivious and unobservant as parents. Some beautiful stuff.
Rating
2D
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Drab. Delirious.
Okay, like I said, one extra star for comedy. It made me laugh quite a few times. I liked the James Bond reference Pierce Brosnan made in the second act. Very on-the-nose. But asides that…
Totally bland movie.
Right up there with Ghosted on the forgettable scale. I will say that the music is really dope, though. I got Jay-Z-in-The-Great-Gatzby vibes. But I’m not sure I’ll ever be watching the movie again. In this day and age where we are oversaturated with choice, not every movie will make it past the memorable line.
