Neither a remake of the turgidly depressing John Huston neo-western with Nick Cannon in the role originated by Montgomery Clift, nor a return to form by once-prospering action director Renny Harlin (Born American, Die Hard 2). It starts well enough, with narrator Ringo (Cannon) informing us that of the 19,000 bank robbers arrested over a 5-year period, 19,000 of them were incapable of doing their jobs. Ringo’s area of expertise is knocking over safe deposit boxes, and then only those that are heavily insured. A fan of robbing from the rich to give to the poor, Ringo eschews any comparisons to Robin Hood, if for no other reason than avoiding any obvious associations with the rogue of Sherwood Forest’s last name. And please don’t call them a gang: they’re just a few individuals trying to do what’s right. Joining Ringo in the internationally-assembled cast are a munitions expert named Wick (Mike Angelo), Violet (San Diego’s own Jamie Chung) — equal parts contortionist and sworn misandrist (“I don’t date men. I kill them”) — and real-life race car driver Rami Jaber as “The Prince.” Along for the ride is Pierce Brosnan, picking up a check as Pace, a pickpocket who has no interest in working on the side of good, at least until he learns that his estranged daughter Hope (Hermione Corfield) is spearheading a plot to funnel the gold to aid in a refugee crisis. (The generally reliable Brosnan brings little more to the show than clapped-hands and a Joker-esque cackle.) It all begins to grate the moment Cannon is called upon to pull an Eddie Murphy by playing multiple roles. Were it the early ‘90s, this tale of knocking off a prison housing millions in gold bars might have had a better chance, but it's oversimplified worldview and travelogue leanings — the producers appear to be on an Abu Dhabi honeymoon — are better suited for a time capsule than a 2021 release. In the end, the coveted red bird falls miles short of the stuff dreams are made of. (2012) — Scott Marks
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