CHAOS

US, 2005, 106 minutes, Colour.
Jason Statham, Ryan Philippe, Wesley Snipes, Henry Czerny, Justine Waddell.
Directed by Tony Giglio.

Chaos is allegedly based on Chaos Theory – while some books are shown and some explanations given, it is more or less a prop to indicate an action-type title for an action-type film.

Jason Statham emerged as a very popular action presence in many, many films like the Crank series or the Transporter series. He is rather laconic in his presence and manner, his British background (after making an impact in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels). The film is also a vehicle for Wesley Snipes who fell on hard times cinematically with a lot of straight-to-video action shows. The film also includes Ryan Philippe who is emerging as a more serious actor. In support are Canadian actor Henry Czerny as the police captain and English Justine Waddell as a detective. The film was written and directed by Tony Giglio, a production assistant who moved into writing and directing a few films, including the horror film Timber Falls.

The film has a number of twists – but is basically a robbery situation, a siege with hostages, a police pursuit and investigation and then the revelation of the truth.

1. An interesting and enjoyable crime drama, police investigation? The twists?

2. The Seattle settings, the river and the bridge, at night? The day and the bank siege? The tactics for the SWAT team? Pursuits throughout the city, chases? The airport?

3. The title, Chaos Theory, the books, some explanation of the theme?

4. The opening, the police confrontation, the criminal holding the personality hostage, the shooting and her being killed? The aftermath?

5. The bank robbery, the group of criminals, the entry into the bank? The tactics? Shooting, hostages, sealing the bank? The SWAT team and the attack on the bank, the thieves and their escape?

6. The authorities, the captain asking Connors to come back from suspension to investigate? His relationship with Teddy Galloway? The previous relationship between Galloway and Connors? Connors and the criticism, his behaviour at the shooting on the bridge? His gruff style, his relationship with Shane Dekker? Instructing him, training him? The question of going into the bank, the timing, the SWAT team, the change of plan? The reaction of people to Connors?

7. Shane, young man, his father being a celebrated policeman, his admiration for Connors, Connors’ treatment of him, training him? The situation, going further in investigation, action, the solution to the crime?

8. Inside the bank, Lorenz, the team, the hostages, the SWAT team, entries, tactics? Getting out, the escape, the fact that there was no robbery?

9. The aftermath, the police investigations, Shane and his conscientiousness, tracking down Lorenz?

10. The discovery that no money was taken, the implanting of the virus, the automatic transferring of money from that bank to other banks? Chaos Theory?

11. Lorenz, his identity, his being Connors’ partner, at the shooting on the bridge? Bitterness? The police succeeding in their investigations, Lorenz killing off his associates?

12. Shane, the discovery about Lorenz, that Lorenz was a policeman, was partner with Connors? The chase, the final confrontation, death?

13. Connors, the revelation that he was the mastermind of the crime, his motivation, his home, Shane’s search, the chase, the rethinking of all that had happened in the siege, the plans and details masterminded by Connors? The airport?

14. Shane and his integrity, the experience? An interesting police investigation story?