‘Band of Robbers’ – Movie Review

Category: Movies

In a modern-day reimagined version of Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” Band of Robbers is the tale of Huck and Tom as men. Having been best buddies when they were youngsters, Huck (Kyle Gallner) and Tom (Adam Nee) are still looking out for each other.

Huck just got released from prison and Tom is a police officer. But now Huck wants to go straight and Tom wants to pull off a major robbery. Ever since they were boys they have been searching for an illusive hidden treasure. To find it they have to follow clues. Now, all these years later, they discover the clues keep coming and they are pulled back to their mischievous ways. Tom is still wrapping people around his fingers and puts together a “band of robbers” with his friends Huck, Ben Rogers (Hannibal Burres) and Joe Harper (Matthew Gray Gubler).

Tom comes up with a brilliant and foolproof plan to rob a pawnshop where he believes the treasure is hiding. But his foolproof plan is not so foolproof. As a matter of fact, everything goes wrong. In the meantime, his new partner, Becky Thatcher (Melissa Benoist), unwittingly gets in the middle of the group’s heist. Thatcher is a rookie with ideals and scruples, unlike her partner Tom.

With Injun Joe (Stephen Lang) hot on their trail to capture the treasure for himself, the gang gets deeper and deeper into trouble and closer and closer to danger. At every turn something goes awry, but Tom, in true Tom Sawyer form, manages to spin things to his benefit.

This seems to be a whacky storyline, however audiences will enjoy the banter and the craziness of all the characters. Personally, I was a little hesitant when I first heard about the film, but I really enjoyed it. There is something interesting about seeing classic literary characters in a new light. Even for people who aren’t familiar with the characters of Tom, Huck, and Becky, this film will be a strange delight. It’s a twisted yet oddly compelling movie.

Band of Robbers is not rated however it is not for youngsters. There is violence and death. The movie opens in select theaters January 15, 2016.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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