Excellent but underrated film

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The Code, or Thick As Thieves as it's known on DVD in some regions, is pretty much just Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas strutting their way through a B-grade, R-rated Ocean's Eleven. It's second tier stuff, but it has one hell of a cast and enough serpentine twists and betrayals to keep the viewer interested. Freeman plays a slick master burglar, recruiting Banderas' younger thief to pull off one of those 'impossible' heists that requires all kinds of over elaborate planning and stylish execution. This is all in order to pay an outstanding debt to the Russian mob in the form of dangerous Rade Serbedzija, aka Boris the Blade, aka Boris the Bullet Dodger, who has a few surprising secrets of his own. All of them are also hounded by a classically dogged detective (Robert Forster, intensely excellent) and his rookie partner, who of all people is played by Tom Hardy in a role so small and random I'd love to hear the tale behind his casting. There's also an obligatory love interest for Antonio, played by leggy Radha Mitchell. Now, it's all mostly as pedestrian as it sounds, except for a few garnishing touches that elevate it just enough that it sticks in your memory. The master thief. The Ahab-esque cop. The vicious Eastern European gangster. The love triangle. Backstabbing. These are all ancient archetypes that have been done quite literally to death, and they're all present and accounted for here, but there's a few moments that genuinely surprise and break feee of that somewhat. Revelations involving the Russian who isn't what he appears to be, a third act twist that feels welcome, and snares of dialogue that snap our attention amidst the clichés. For what it is, it does its job well enough, and a few times shows actual inspiration. Not bad at all.

I was planning to give this film a 7 until the final scene, when the bubblegum-disco credits music kicked in. Deduct 1 star for the bad taste left in my mouth."Thick as Thieves" (alternatively titled "The Code") is your standard high-tech heist film, with serious tips of the hat to "Mission Impossible" and "Ocean's 11." A number of nice plot twists along the way, some of which you'll probably see coming and some not. The obligatory 40 seconds of moderately graphic sex. (Why did I get the odd notion that the producers were trying to bump this up to an R rating but couldn't quite manage it?) And, my main reason for the high rating, exceptional performances from Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas.Freeman is his usual stolid self and always worth seeing, though we've all seen his persona before. But Banderas is a particular joy to watch. At least one IMDb reviewer commented that he's getting a bit old to play the wisecracking buddy-movie younger guy, but I didn't view his character that way at all. I saw a cool-headed, competent crook, still young enough to have all his abilities but aware that the tide is ebbing quickly. (Banderas was 49 when this film was released, though his character can pass for considerably less.) And he doesn't take himself seriously; watch his facial expressions, some of which are hilarious, some self-mocking, and all expressive and beautifully in character.In fact, the entire film doesn't take itself seriously; I think that's why I had such fun watching what is, at bottom, a modest, not particularly original story. The ridiculously high-tech alarm systems and burglary gadgets, the juggling of identities and motives, the light, understated script (including some wonderful scenes featuring fully expendable bad guys): The mood of the whole is simply fun. Crack a beer and enjoy it.

Thick as Thieves is a typical heist movie, just about what I expected. But one starring (especially) Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas I just had to see. Masterthief Ripley needs to recruit help, Martin, to pull of the heist of a lifetime. Ripley has indebted himself to a Russian gangster and needs to steal to mythical Fabergé-eggs from Romanovs, a jeweler with a vault like a fort. And of course there are a police detective on their heels.The story is set up with hidden secrets and twists and turns. Some I caught and some I didn't. Just about the right mix to make it entertaining, but nothing special. It is a thriller, but there is a somewhat humorous tone. Just like it should be in a big heist movie. What it lacks is the feeling of suspense and surprise. It's hard to balance it just right and Thick as Thieves doesn't quite manage it. But with Freeman in the lead it is I said, entertaining. Especially for heist movie fans.6/10

This heist movie, also known as THE CODE, is pretty much a let down. It seems to run over itself before any interest cumulates. Even the trailers don't garner many reasons to watch unless you are a Morgan Freeman or Antonio Banderas fan. Even they can't save this one. Freeman plays an aging art thief thinking about something big enough to retire on; but he owes the Russian underworld; and they want him to steal a pair of Faberge eggs. Freeman ends up joining a younger accomplice(Banderas)on this heist. The two see the 'codes of thievery' a bit differently; but its them against the Russian underworld. The plot is thin and the dialog is about understandable as the many plot twists that prove to be not needed. Others in the cast: Radha Mitchell, Robert Forster, Marcel Lures and Antony Byrne.