Safe House (2012)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Mark H

  
  Safe House is a mixed bag. The film takes place in Cape Town, South Africa and the production was actually shot there. That's favorable. It boasts a solid cast. Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star, but it also showcases supporting players that include Vera Farmiga, Brendan… More
  Safe House is a mixed bag. The film takes place in Cape Town, South Africa and the production was actually shot there. That's favorable. It boasts a solid cast. Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star, but it also showcases supporting players that include Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Rubén Blades and Robert Patrick. It's a pity none of them were given a character they could really sink their acting chops into. These are stock characters in stock situations. I greeted the whole affair with a casual indifference. While it played out I admit I was mildly entertained. The actors kept giving me hope that something exciting would happen or develop. But when the story was finished, the plot revealed itself to be thoroughly generic. There are several scenes in which a gun goes off when you're not expecting it to happen. The sound was so loud I jumped out of my seat at least twice because it sounded like a gun went off in the theater. Other than that, I can barely remember anything about this film.

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] In his newest action conspiracy thriller, like in a majority of his films, Denzel Washington performs strong and does it convincingly and effectively. But the bigest surprise in Safe House is how well… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] In his newest action conspiracy thriller, like in a majority of his films, Denzel Washington performs strong and does it convincingly and effectively. But the bigest surprise in Safe House is how well executed Ryan Reynolds brings life to his cliched character. He's now redeemed himself after agreeing to do the terrible Green Lantern. The film as a whole has decent action sequences and the developed characters are present. Safe House overall isn't anything that hasn't been done before but it's very entertaining and is the action flick that it wants to be, except with better acting than your average action vehicle.

• Josh M

  
  Safe House is action packed and intense, but predictatable as hell. It benefits from the megawatt charisma of Denzel Washington, but it's a paint by numbers CIA corruption story, and suffers from a typically competent but featherweight performance by the luckiest man in… More
  Safe House is action packed and intense, but predictatable as hell. It benefits from the megawatt charisma of Denzel Washington, but it's a paint by numbers CIA corruption story, and suffers from a typically competent but featherweight performance by the luckiest man in Hollywood, Ryan Reynolds. This film is like a CIA Training Day, with Reynolds in the Ethan Hawke role, and Denzel reprising the grizzled, disllusioned old pro. However, Hawke is a vastly more interesting actor and that was a much more interesting script. The almost constant hand held and close up filmmaking style is somewhat fresh, but young director Daniel Espinoza does not seem to know when to keep the camera still and let us see faces and feel emotions. Denzel is a rogue CIA agent with super powers (think Jack Bauer in 24 with no friends) who is being chased by the CIA and a mysterious omipotent paramilitary army. Reynolds is a junior CIA guy who is babysitting a 'Safe House' in Capetown South Africa, and getting no spy action at all, much to his frustation. His boss in HQ Langley, Virginia is beloved Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, who gets do some acting aided the wonderful Vera Farmiga, who is wasted here. Oh, the CIA is a corrupt snake pit, did you know that? I was interested to see South Africa explored as a location, we don't see it in many flicks, but alas, Espinoza's camera is not interested in location, just in gun fights and car crashes. Safe House could have been shot anywhere. There are many illogical plot twists and turns, and Denzel chooses to let Ryan Reynolds live numerous times for no good reason, other than to keep the movie running to its full 2 hour length. I was mostly entertained by the action and Denzel, but it's a total time waster perhaps best ordered on demand on a rainy Sunday.

• Drake T

  
  I'm not incredibly well versed with the spy/espionage genre but even I wasn't very surprised or taken by the film's painfully obvious story. There wasn't much dimension built on top of the formula either! I mean, a little halfway through the film and there was… More
  I'm not incredibly well versed with the spy/espionage genre but even I wasn't very surprised or taken by the film's painfully obvious story. There wasn't much dimension built on top of the formula either! I mean, a little halfway through the film and there was still no plot development whatsoever, just unimaginative chase scenes following the next. When things finally start rolling you've pretty much guessed right off the bat who the players are and their motives leaving very little suspense or drama. In the grand scheme of things, it's a well-acted action film but with a terribly predictable plot, boring set pieces, poorly prioritized pacing and two dimensional characters with no chemistry.

• Scott G

  
  I suppose this doesn't help us in deciding whether Ryan is set for the action side of films, or the comedy side, or even both? Denzel doesn't seem to have any emotion but that's why he is seen as one of the best, because he is able to maintain that.

• Al S

  
  This is the real deal. An exhilerating and adrenaline-charged edge of your seat action-packed thriller. It explodes with pure star power as well as fire power and has lots of brute energy that will keep you hooked. An awesome and spectacular action film that both tough and… More
  This is the real deal. An exhilerating and adrenaline-charged edge of your seat action-packed thriller. It explodes with pure star power as well as fire power and has lots of brute energy that will keep you hooked. An awesome and spectacular action film that both tough and intelligent. It`s gripping, stylish, fast-paced and utterly breathtaking. It`s 16 Blocks meets Bourne on steroids. A wickedly entertaining and pulse-pounding thrill-machine that never lets up for a minute. It`s packed with non-stop explosive action and heart-pounding suspense all the way to the end. The all-star cast is first-rate and they deliver with pure power. Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds are at their very best. Washington is lean, charasmatic and truly brilliant mixing his action hero chops with his dramatic capability and totally owning the screen. Reynolds is terrific, he continues to impress with his much more edgy acting style and managing to prove worthy to stand present with his respected co-star. Even with all the chaos and twist, Washington and Reynolds manage to stand tall and put some meat on their characters. A pure high-octane cocktail of electrifying movie entertainment. It`s well-crafted and solidly character drawn.

• Eric A

  
  Descent. Not too bad, but not too good. I've seen Denzel is far better roles and in better films. I think that Ryan Reynolds should have been replaced with someone more uptempo, then the movie definitely would have been better in my opinion.

• Candy R

  
  Violent from the start. Really in your face action. Good cast. A turned CIA agent is chased out of the Safe House. The housekeeper has to bring him to another Safe House.

• Tired of P

  
  Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Universal Pictures, 2012 Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Robert Patrick, Sam Shepard, Liam Cunningham and Brendan Gleeson. Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery. Question: Do you like action packed movies? Well, Safe House… More
  Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Universal Pictures, 2012 Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Robert Patrick, Sam Shepard, Liam Cunningham and Brendan Gleeson. Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery. Question: Do you like action packed movies? Well, Safe House might be the exact movie for you. However, there wasn't much more to the film, which was a disappointment since it stars one of our greatest actors, Denzel Washington, and a decent actor on his own right, Ryan Reynolds. I know, I know. This review cuts to the bone a little bit, but I found myself sitting in the full theatre on opening day confused. Not with the number of people in the theatre but why such a predictable story-line was produced with some top-notch actors. And let me put it this way - one person left after about twenty minutes and four people left with about ten minutes to go in the film. I have never walked out of a movie, turned one off but never walked out. Back to my question: Do you like action packed movies? Well, if you do, and can put aside the predictable story, then I say watch Safe House because it is nearly non-stop action. I am not accustom to watching Mr. Washington in such a physical role, and he did a decent job as a rouge CIA agent on the run, but I suppose I prefer his more cerebral roles. He can manipulate anyone and their actions usually with his words or facial expressions; and he had some of that in Safe House. However, most of the film was filled with car chases, men beating the crap out of one another and gun fights. Now there is nothing wrong with a movie loaded with non-stop action sequences, do not misunderstand, but the Safe House preview displayed a different movie in my mind. I thought it would have more depth. Once the film started it was sort of obvious, though, that either the film-maker was inexperienced or perhaps they wanted to make the film in a Jason Bourne-style. One thing wrong with that is that Jason Bourne is an interesting, complex character that you want to know more about; however, neither the rouge CIA agent (Washington) or the CIA agent manning the safe house (Reynolds) were not developed enough to care about. With all that said, the acting was still pretty good. Seriously, did you think you would ever read that Denzel Washington did a bad job? He simply cannot, unfortunately, the script was just not up to his acting caliber. Shame. My favorite thing: Let me think on that for a bit....oh wait, there was a scene where Denzel Washington's character walks across the hallway and what he did and how he did it made me grin. It's brief but I wasn't expecting it. My least favorite thing: That the person behind me was overly vocal when all the actions scenes went on. Annoying. Rating: R Length: 115 minutes Review: 3 out of 10

• Thomas B

  
  Starting off promising this ends up pretty dull. One extra star for Denzel Washington though. Full review later.

• paul o

  
  It was decent. Denzel is just awesome as always but the story and ryan reynolds bring him down. Enjoy it as a friday night flick.

• Jason C

  
  "Safe House" is the new action movie starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. Safe, is actually an appropriate word to put in the title. This movie was about as paint-by-numbers as you get. Action movies are often predictable, but I consider it a step backwards, when… More
  "Safe House" is the new action movie starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. Safe, is actually an appropriate word to put in the title. This movie was about as paint-by-numbers as you get. Action movies are often predictable, but I consider it a step backwards, when I have the entire story solved within the first half hour. "Safe House" also lacked the balls to make up for the storytelling's short comings, with any compelling action whatsoever. Speaking of predictable, is it just me, or does Denzel Washington play the same character in every movie? To me, his performances are interchangeable. Maybe that's part of his appeal to the masses. It's probably why the makers of this film marketed his character as a "bad guy", hoping to ride the coattails of the superior, "Training Day" or "American Gangster". In the end, there's nothing offensive about "Safe House", but there's nothing worth throwing money at either. Wait for it to show up on cable.

• Matt G

  
  Tobin Frost: Remember rule number one: you are responsible for your house guest. I'm your house guest. Within every R-rated action movie, there falls impending qualities, and Safe House has quite a bit. It's not that I had a total hatred towards the film, I just felt that… More
  Tobin Frost: Remember rule number one: you are responsible for your house guest. I'm your house guest. Within every R-rated action movie, there falls impending qualities, and Safe House has quite a bit. It's not that I had a total hatred towards the film, I just felt that it had a premise which could have been labored to a greater extent. Safe House is gratifying for a few reasons: the well-done action sequences, scattershot editing, as well as the fitting bromance between actors Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, who manage to bring some fun into what would otherwise be a reasonably dull flick. However, Safe House includes enough flashy editing and fine sequences that keep the viewer entertained, which left me satisfied to an extent where I do not have to fully despise the film. Read the whole story at creedsdelight.com

• danny d

  
  the movie is ok, but when compared to other films with the same basic plot such as 310 to yuma, 16 blocks, and the gauntlet, this film files in behind all of those in effectiveness. the action sequence are good and the characters worth while but there isnt anything in this film that… More
  the movie is ok, but when compared to other films with the same basic plot such as 310 to yuma, 16 blocks, and the gauntlet, this film files in behind all of those in effectiveness. the action sequence are good and the characters worth while but there isnt anything in this film that helps it stand out from being just an entertaining action film and its filled with every cliche in the book.

• Kase V

  
  'Safe House' is guided by assuring leads Ryan Reynolds and the good as ever Denzel Washington, but it ultimately fails as a complete film. Action junkies will get their fair share of adrenaline, but those that enter the theatre looking for something they've never seen… More
  'Safe House' is guided by assuring leads Ryan Reynolds and the good as ever Denzel Washington, but it ultimately fails as a complete film. Action junkies will get their fair share of adrenaline, but those that enter the theatre looking for something they've never seen before will be sorely disappointed. Thoroughly unoriginal, over the top kinetic, and bursting with blandness, 'Safe House' feels like a film i've seen 20 times before.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"No One Is Safe"</i> A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
  <i>"No One Is Safe"</i> A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with his charge. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> In Safe House, Tobin Frost is one cool fugitive, but then he's played by one of Hollywood's coolest actors: Denzel Washington. Guarding him is young CIA agent Matt Weston played by the prominent film actor, Ryan Reynolds. Together they make good acting possible; if only this crime adventure would let them. Instead, their moments are mere interludes to the cacophony of guns and gore, a smorgasbord of thriller clichés planted in neat rows by director Daniel Espinosa and blossoming glass and guts ad nauseam. As the cool Frost escapes numerous captures and Weston follows him (they've discovered the "safe house" is not so safe), I wish they'd sit and talk for an hour because the older agent has much to tell the younger about love (Matt has a questioning girlfriend) and survival in the den of thieves known as espionage-global that is. Frost has a computer file with the names of bad cops, some of them friends and supervisors. So nobody's safe. Among the vulnerable are seriously good actors like Sam Shephard, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, and Robert Patrick. The shame is they have parts so formulaic as to obliterate their acting excellence. Anyway, you get the routine. The only surprise is that this type of film continues to entertain us even when we know the plot points. In part that's because we like to see good/bad guys played by the likes of Denzel work their way through some challenging puzzles and achieve some success just as we try to do in our daily lives. Also we get to see multiple car crashes without being in them, a wish we may have subconsciously when we experience road rage. I suggest you leave your rational hat at home (most of the plot makes little sense) and wear your thrill-seeking one because this film will fulfill all your demands for excitement without touching a nerve in your left brain.

• Liam G

  
  This movie must have been directed by the same guy who directed ''Contraband''. It isn't, but they are both forgettable, clichà (C)d, unoriginal and dull. At least ''Safe House'' had Denzel Washington.

• Cynthia S

  
  Action filled right from the start. Good movie loaded wth twists and turns, an interesting plot, and some great acting by Denzel and Reynolds. Mostly exactly what I was expecting, however, and the type of action thriller that has been done lots of times before. It's basically a… More
  Action filled right from the start. Good movie loaded wth twists and turns, an interesting plot, and some great acting by Denzel and Reynolds. Mostly exactly what I was expecting, however, and the type of action thriller that has been done lots of times before. It's basically a safe bet for success, but I enjoyed it in spite of that.

• Tyler C

  
  Denzel Washington kills it as always, but this film has been done so many damn times!

• Nate Z

  
  Safe House is an an action movie that has some nice above-average action sequences strung together by a very sub-average plot. Tobin (Denzel Washington) is a rogue CIA agent being hunted down by shadowy forces. Or is he? A young agent (Ryan Reynolds) was responsible for the safe house… More
  Safe House is an an action movie that has some nice above-average action sequences strung together by a very sub-average plot. Tobin (Denzel Washington) is a rogue CIA agent being hunted down by shadowy forces. Or is he? A young agent (Ryan Reynolds) was responsible for the safe house in Cape Town that was breached and now takes it upon himself to bring Tobin in for the agency. Or does he? If you've seen any spy thriller in the last few years then you'll recognize the glut of clichés and be able to ably predict the traitorous higher-ups using the economy of characters. Here's a clue to the villains of the picture: don't keep all your villainous deeds together on one computer file (and don't label it "All Our Evil Deeds," try instead, "Vacation Photos."). Washington and Reynolds are appealing actors even in ho-hum parts. Washington never seems as devilish or as clever as his character is billed to be. While the plot is bland, director Daniel Espinosa (Easy Money) knows how to shoot some thrilling action sequences. The style is a bit of a Bourne rehash, what with the jangly camera angles, but the movie has a surprising level of verisimilitude; when two guys fight it really feels like a couple guys beating the crap out of each other. The chase sequences are well staged and find smart ways to make use of its South Africa location, like a chase through the levels of a soccer arena or a race atop the rooftops of shanty homes. It's when the movie stops to catch its breath and the plot reemerges that Safe House becomes a snoozer. Nate's Grade: C+

Read all 20 featured audience ratings