Money Monster

Watch this one. It is more than just a hostage-crisis film. It tries hard to make you think about the bigger picture, and mostly succeeds.

Overall, despite a great hook, the film is just a popcorn thriller, that never really packs the emotional punch it promised.

Other than its brilliant star cast, Money Monster has a lot to offer in terms of direction, story and engagement. It doesn't matter if finance or stocks are not up your alley. This mind-blowing thriller does not demand your intellect or attention – it simply takes it from you!

The main reason you'd want to watch Money Monster is for Clooney and Roberts, whose performances elevate the film above its script. Together they bring in the chemistry of Ocean's Eleven and make things fun. The film keeps you on your toes at all times, even though the climax does fizzle out a bit. Watch this and you may not be moved but you'll definitely be entertained.

Unlike The Big Short, Money Monster does not tie itself up in jargon and practices, but explores the larger conspiracy and its human impact, particularly on the small investor. Foster deftly handles tonal shifts between humour, satire and comment to deliver a timely and thrilling entertainer.

Despite strenuously ignoring its tremendous potential for black comedy, Money Monster ticks along on the assured turns by its star leads. Julia Roberts is especially lovely as the dream producer who, in a less toothless movie, would have been the real monster in the studio.