Kevin Costner’s ‘Criminal’ Was a $31 Million Sci-Fi Box Office Bomb

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  • So Many Stars, so Little Depth in Kevin Costner’s ‘Criminal’

In 2016, Kevin Costner and Ryan Reynolds featured in an action movie titled “Criminal”. Despite having the potential to be a good science fiction thriller, it ended up being a flop both financially and critically. With a talented cast and intriguing concept, “Criminal” had the potential to be far superior.

In this movie titled “Criminal,” Kevin Costner portrays Jerico Stewart, a character with a criminal background and sociopathic tendencies. To his surprise, Jerico gets enlisted by the CIA for an experimental procedure that transfers the memories of a deceased agent named Bill Pope (played by Ryan Reynolds) into his mind. Bill is crucial to locating a hacker who has created a software capable of seizing control over global nuclear defense systems.

Despite an unsuccessful start, Jerico ultimately succumbs to Pope’s recollections and absorbs his abilities. Facing the imminent danger of a nuclear conflict and haunted by another man’s memories, Jerico struggles to clear his mind and rescue Pope’s loved ones before time runs out.

So Many Stars, so Little Depth in Kevin Costner’s ‘Criminal’

The movie features several prominent actors in key roles, including Kevin Costner and Ryan Reynolds (who essentially has a brief appearance). The film also stars Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Alice Eve, Scott Adkins, and Gal Gadot (who is set to become Wonder Woman). Despite the impressive cast, the movie feels shallow with minimal depth or tension. The character development of Jerico, from a ruthless criminal to a troubled man tormented by Pope’s memories, is somewhat muted due to Costner’s stoic performance.

Despite the reemergence of Pope’s memories apparently shaping Jerico’s violent behavior, there’s no genuine transformation in his character. He remains unlikable throughout, being self-centered, hazardous, and brutally violent – traits that are incompatible with typical action heroes. Furthermore, Jerico exploits innocents without any noble purpose. The narrative may progress beyond this point, but Jerico’s character does not undergo a significant change that would justify the peril of the journey.

In the genre of action movies, Criminal disappointingly lacks substantial action scenes. Although it features gunfights, explosions, and car chases, these sequences are underwhelming at best. The car chases are fleeting and unexciting, leading to dull shoot-outs and a solitary explosion. If you’re searching for hand-to-hand combat, this film may not deliver; it would be wiser to seek action elsewhere. A concept with great potential, Criminal falls short due to its superficial execution, as the main character also lacks proper development.

‘Criminal’ Put Up no Fight at the Box Office

The movie, which had an estimated production cost of $31 million, earned only $38 million worldwide, resulting in a significant financial setback. In the U.S. and Canada, it managed a meager $14 million, with its opening weekend bringing in just $5.8 million – one of Kevin Costner’s poorest debuts. Interestingly, his film ‘Horizon’, which opened in 2024, had an even worse start with only $4.1 million. The movie was universally criticized by both critics and viewers, as evident from its current 30% critical rating and a 47% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie was widely criticized as being dull, disappointing, and filled with familiar tropes. Many were puzzled at how such prominent actors ended up involved in this misadventure. It’s possible that for certain films, having a large number of stars might increase the risk of it becoming a complete flop. Although some reviewers appreciated the fresh perspective of the film Criminal, others felt it tried to appear more intelligent than it actually was. Excessively dramatic, depressing, and devoid of thought, critics spared no harsh words in their criticism of the film.

The movie received a mix of reactions from viewers, but overall, they seemed to enjoy it as an enjoyable yet somewhat predictable diversion. Despite initial negative critiques, recent audience responses have been more positive regarding the film. Viewers found the idea and casting appealing, and while some felt the plot was slightly generic, many still considered it entertaining due to its unexpected twists and turns.

With an intriguing premise and a stellar cast that included Kevin Costner, Gal Gadot, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones, Criminal seemed destined for greatness. However, despite the impressive lineup, the movie fell short of expectations, failing to live up to its potential. Although it presented a fresh blend of spy and mind-swap genres, the lackluster execution left much to be desired. You can now watch Criminal on Max.

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2025-01-13 05:06