Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

I went to see "Safe House" in the theater for two reasons: 1. I like psychological thrillers (what this movie was advertised at); and 2. I am a fan of Denzel Washington. Sadly, the film fails miserably to succeed on #1 and only gives glimpses of #2.For a basic plot summary, "Safe House" sees known criminal (and former CIA operative) Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) walk into a U.S. embassy for protection after a secret information- selling deal goes bad. While the CIA tries to figure out what Frost is really up to, he is broken out of a secure facility by the men pursuing him, with only rookie CIA operative Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) able to "protect" him.What needs to be cleared up right away, however, is that "Safe House" is NOT the psychological thriller as advertised in the trailer. Every single "psych" moment is shown in the trailer...there is nothing more. Instead, it is a straight-forward action/adventure romp with plenty of bullets, car crashes, and fisticuffs to satisfy the adrenaline junkies.Where this movie fails miserably, though, is that the plot and direction are an absolute mess from beginning to end. Though containing all the trappings of an interesting movie, all the wrong aspects are focused on. What should have (and could have) been a tense psychological thriller instead is one prolonged action scene after another with tiny little "plot moments" thrown in between them so that the whole thing doesn't fall apart.About the only redeeming quality of the movie is Denzel. Though his character is regrettably given very little to do throughout the movie, he still shines as the "tough guy" in a number of scenes (again, though, nothing that isn't shown in the trailer). After taking a break from his "Man on Fire" or "Deju Vu" type characters, it seemed as if, in "Safe House", Denzel was venturing back into that territory once again.Overall, "Safe House" will only be enjoyed by those who like having their senses stimulated at the cinema. It does contain pulse-pounding action, but those looking for any plot or character development will be severely disappointed and should look elsewhere for a Denzel fix.

Safe House starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds is just one of those pointless boring generic and very derivative weak "action" films. The performances are really not that good to be honest. The dialogue and script is boring and cliché. Now I am a fan of both Ryan and Denzel's work in the films they have appeared in before, but this one is just nonsensical. The plot is utterly muddled and horribly boring and just downright uninteresting. The action scenes are just kinda take it or leave it, nothing new at all to bring to the table. There isn't anything new, exciting, or even mildly entertaining here. This movie is just bad at engaging the audience, making the audience actually give a crap what happens. I sure didn't care that happened. How could I??? I was too busy checking the time on my phone LOL. Skip this one, save your heartache. Don't say i didn't warn you. 1/10.

When everyone is obsessed with series TV and piracy means being able to watch pretty much anything at any time, this is an incredible movie. It's ultra-realistic - I live in South Africa and all those details are 100% correct - but the movie is gritty and authentic in every way. Ryan is really, really good - he really pulls this off, and setting him with Denzel works brilliantly. All bit actors, from Vera, Sam Shepard, and especially Rubén Blades, add important elements.Though made in 2012, the backdrop of America's nationalism - where to speak against the USA may get you into trouble - and NSA surveillance scandals, and kids who died fighting in Iraq, believing in something - all make for real poignancy in an thriller/action movie that is still very relevant today.

Safe House (2012): Dir: Daniel Espinosa / Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard: Interesting idea about trust. Ryan Reynolds plays a safe house agent assigned to watch an ex CIA agent turned criminal, played by Denzel Washington who possesses files that are sought after by people from both sides. After a massive blood bath shootout, Reynolds escapes with Washington and from there the screenplay becomes one big chase and violent encounter after another but we know these two will be on the same side. One problem with this film is its making Washington a hero figure simply because viewers like him period. That is not to say that the film isn't entertaining. Washington and Reynolds are an electrifying pairing with Washington's soft spoken presentation that conceals a deadly consequence for those who oppose him, verses Reynolds's frantic race to maintain composure in the midst of turmoil. The ending works and director Daniel Espinosa allows for several great action sequences but perhaps supporting roles could have been broader. Vera Farmiga and Brendan Gleeson are two effective actors but here their roles seem more like props leading to revelations that many viewers will likely already see coming. Sam Shepard is a veteran actor lost in cardboard material. While the film doesn't always work, it maintains an entertaining pace thanks to its two leads that rise above what the material might have been without them. Perhaps next time the screenwriters will spend more time in the safe house and produce a more convicting film. Score: 6 / 10