A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

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.

I really couldn't find any glimpse of originality, innovation or indeed motivation in this movie. The plot is a veteran thief who meets a young and reckless rookie thief, sound similar to anything you know – that's because it is! Apart from its complete lack of inspiration comes very unconvincing acting from two fairly decent actors, however, Morgan Freemans salutary knowledge fails to salvage and I found that Antonio's by doing this movie is typecasting himself to the role – it even plays Hispanic type music in the love scene. I can't say much more about this movie as it's just dull, in 10-20 years it'll be like watching one of those bad 'money spinners' from the 80's. My advice – stay well clear, even if you get to see this for free, you'd be more interested doing nothing!

As heist films go, Mimi Leder's "The Code", also known as "Thick as Thieves" doesn't add anything interesting to the genre. Maybe it was the wrong project to get involved because, as written by Ted Humphrey, the film is a ripoff that steals generously from other, better made films. It even has the audacity to ask the main characters talk about the great Jules Dassin, his famous caper, "Topkapi", or even "Rififi", as though the creators thought they could improve on what was done better.This time the implausible plot involves stealing from a famous Manhattan Russian dealer that has a treasure of Faberge eggs in his vault. The place is so incredibly tough to penetrate, with the latest technology, we feel the film makers think we, the audience, are stupid, or perhaps they can pull the wool over our eyes.Morgan Freeman has been asked to play the same role over and over. It is about time he realizes he is on auto pilot and try to get a new approach to whatever he decides to do next. We had read sometime ago that Antonio Banderas had fired his agent because of the bad choices he has been asked to make recently. Judging by what he does in the film, one can wish him better luck with whoever he chooses to peddle his services in the future. The torrid sex scenes between Mr. Banderas and his co-star, Rhada Mitchell, seems to have been photographed using body doubles. Otherwise how can we explain the muscular and youthful buttocks Antonio displays.

Hollywood is a vast reservoir of screen talent and when producers, directors and movie stars combine to make a movie, audiences across the United States, indeed across the cinematic world, anxiously await to pay for the right combination of a good movie. Often, their result is a mega production, a Classic, or at the very least a profitable enterprise. However as in this case, the movie is a abysmal disappointment. One asks, with the superior talents Morgan Freeman, the handsome features and sex appeal of Antonio Banderas how could you possibly lose? Annalysis of this movie called " Code " or " Thick as Thevies " proves the old add age of; 'you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.' Briefly this is an often repeated story. You take an aging professional thief, partner him with a young talented version of himself, then challenge them against the most sophisticated impervious thief-proof bank vault imaginable and you have the makings of a classic. Right? Unfortunately not. Although both men are superstars, the movie is not without flaws. The script is so convoluted it loses coherence, among the principals and audience. Again, the romantic character interaction and drama is handicapped by unresolved Stop and Go scenes. Then again, trying to touch base with who's on first, audiences are purposely tripped by not allowing some clue as to which segment of the film establishes the good guys from the bad. Too much sympathy is labored on the dark character only to discover he's the the hero. In conclusion, what should have been a high flying feature, became instead a single wing albatross. ***