Takers

Two detectives, Jack Welles and Eddie Hatcher (Jay Hernandez), are on the trail of a group of skilled bank robbers who just pulled off a bold heist. This well-organized gang, led by Gordon Cozier, includes John, A.J., and the Attica brothers, Jake and Jesse. Absent from the crew is Ghost, who is portrayed by T.I., a past member that was apprehended during a previous robbery five years ago. In Ghost’s absence, Jake begins a romantic relationship with his ex-girlfriend Lilly, played by Zoe Saldana, who has accepted his marriage proposal.

The plot thickens when Ghost unexpectedly returns after being paroled, claiming that he bears no resentment towards his former team and enticing them into a risky heist of an armored vehicle, promising a lucrative payoff of $20 million. Meanwhile, Welles starts gathering evidence that the crew is planning another heist, narrowing in on certain crew members. He discovers they are in search of a large cache of C4 explosives and engages in a deadly confrontation with the sellers. Despite the chaos, he uncovers a photo linking Ghost to these suppliers, which deepens his investigation into the entire crew.

Conflicted, Jake grows uneasy with Ghost’s sudden involvement, fearing that the crew is moving too quickly into another job. However, the rest of the team dismisses his concerns about Ghost’s intentions. On the day of the second heist, Welles unearths that Hatcher is corrupt and has been releasing convicts for drug money. In a twist of fate, they track Ghost to Gordon through marked bills stolen from the bank, discovering CCTV footage that places Gordon at the scene just before the heist.

Their audacious plan to rob an armored car involves strategically creating a subway tunnel, calling it “The Subway,” and blowing a hole in the street as the car passes overhead. As the operation unfolds, a young boy on a bike inadvertently causes the armored vehicle to brake moments before the explosion, leaving it nose-to-nose with the crater. Seizing the opportunity, John captures one armored car while pushing another into the pit. The crew then makes their getaway through the sewer system, escaping into the depths of the subway.

While Welles and Hatcher rush to apprehend Gordon, they hear a dispatch on the radio about the heist in progress, prompting Welles to locate the crew’s exit. A tense chase ensues, leading to a harrowing face-off where Jesse is left with no choice but to shoot Hatcher during his escape. Despite the valiant efforts from Hatcher, he succumbs to his injuries.

Reuniting with the crew in a hotel, Jesse confesses to shooting Hatcher, sending tensions flaring especially between him and Gordon. Their standoff is cut short when Russian gangsters burst in, aiming to wipe out the gang. In the chaos, A.J. meets a tragic end, but Jake rises to the occasion, eliminating the Russian threats. The story takes a devastating turn for Jake when he returns home to find Lilly dead. The police swiftly surround the house, leading to a tense exchange of gunfire.

As the chaos continues, Ghost and John part ways, only to discover Ghost’s treachery. In a gripping climax, Ghost sneaks onto the private plane of Scott, a dealer, killing him and seizing their laundered cut. Welles and Gordon confront him, resulting in a three-way standoff where Ghost bullets both Welles and Gordon. Just as he prepares to finish Gordon off, John makes a dramatic return, taking Ghost down. Left with their ill-gotten gains, John and Gordon escape, accompanied by Gordon’s sister Naomi. Meanwhile, a critically injured Welles manages to contact emergency services.

In their escape, John turns to Gordon and asks, “Are we good?” to which Gordon reassures him, “All signs point to it.” (This phrase often signifies their partnership and commitment before a job.) The film concludes ambiguously, leaving viewers to ponder the fates of both Gordon and Welles as the screen fades to black.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 18:49