EMPIRE STATE is a rather typical B-movie heist flick that makes a star of Liam Hemsworth, the impossibly tall younger brother of Chris; he's so big that he makes even The Rock look short a couple of times. The film itself is the usual mix of foreign gangsters, corrupt officials, tough cops and a sympathetic lead guy who finds himself unable to resist the temptation of crime. I found it a lot more engaging than some other reviewers here; that's not to say it's perfect, because it isn't, but it kept me watching. Hemsworth is okay as the lead and I've always liked Paul Ben-Victor ever since he chased Van Damme with a chainsaw in MAXIMUM RISK. The Rock has a relatively small amount of screen time but adds plenty of charisma, and the true life hook adds to the entertainment.
Review of Empire State
