MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Catch Me’ not Speilberg’s best, but still entertaining — Grade B-
I must say right off the bat that I am a Steven Spielberg fan. From the time I followed the Reese’s Pieces trail to the heart-thumping experience that was “Jaws,” I’ve been hooked. Sure he’s had his downs (“1941”), but overall this money-making director has spewed one blockbuster hit after another into the pop-culture that is the present.
“Catch Me If You Can” had that same Spielbergian atmosphere and magic, but for once I was a tad bit disappointed in the film this Mount Everest of directors delivered.
Yes, it is a fun film. Yes, it is brilliantly realistic in its setting, costumes and set details for the scene. Yes, Tom Hanks gave an amazing performance (complete with believable accent). And yes, I even like Leonardo DiCaprio in his role (a first for me). But “Catch Me” seemed incomplete, even bland at times.
Maybe the problem is I read the book before seeing the movie. The book is always better, and some of the plot changes (like the divorce of the main character’s parents being the reason he started his life of crime) bothered me.
Or maybe it was because the film jumped back and forth between the past and present with no rhyme or reason. Since I already knew the story, it wasn’t really a problem for me, but those seeing the film for the first time may find themselves confused as to what is happening when.
“Catch Me” is based on the life of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. (DiCaprio), a man who at the age of 16 was flying around the country posing as a pilot while he cashed fake payroll checks. Abagnale also posed as a doctor, a lawyer, a college professor and even an FBI agent as he flew around the country and most of Europe for four years cashing his bum checks. Hanks’ character (Carl Hanratty) is a composite of the various law enforcement agents who chased him through his crime spree.
I almost hate to admit it, but the best part of the film was probably the retro-art, stick figures chasing each through the opening credits of the film to John Williams’ delightful music.
Now it probably sounds like I hated this movie, but I didn’t. Next to “The Two Towers,” this was the Christmas season’s best offering. It wasn’t predictable like “Maid in Manhattan” or trite fluff like “Two Weeks Notice.” It was a fun crime caper that reminded us how innocent and naive America was before it was forced to grow up after 9/11.
Spielberg knows how to entertain, and although it was a bit disappointing, “Catch Me” is worth being caught.
Jared Sterzer is a senior studying business information systems. Comments can be sent to jwsterz@cc.usu.edu.