Safe House (2012)

Safe House (2012)
Denzel Washington is a needy house guest.

Action film starring Ryan Reynolds as a rookie agent charged with looking after high priority fugitive Denzel Washington in a safe house, but is soon forced into the open when the house is attacked by armed gunmen.

Matt Weston (Reynolds) is a bored CIA agent looking to prove himself, but never being given the chance by the agency. He spends most of his time looking after an empty safe house, whilst maintaining a double life with his girlfriend. However, his tedium is soon interrupted when an international criminal, and former agent, Tobin Frost (Washington) is brought into his safe house. Matt has little time to get a hold on the situation though, as the place is soon stormed by baddies, killing most of his CIA comrades, and Matt only barely manages to escape with Frost hidden in the boot of a car.

Once on the run from these villains, Weston also faces the keen intellect of his prisoner. Frost, having been-there-done-that, seems one step ahead of the game, making the chase even more complex.

Thrilling and sturdy, Safe House doesn’t disappoint on its promise. It is an action-crime film through and through, with two main leads who deliver decent performances. Reynolds veers away from his usual jester persona, leaving the witty one-liners at home, whilst Denzel is still his usual determined self - which is still excellent.

The film offers little more in the way of depth, but instead relies on a workable formula, and clever set pieces.