Geekscape Movie Review: ‘The Accountant’
Ben Affleck’s new movie, “The Accountant” is so good, it just may become the next Warner Bros. bankable franchise. Is that a surprise?
Geekdom took up arms when Ben Affleck was cast as Batman, but he proved many of us wrong. Yes, I didn’t think he had it in him and now here comes this film that immediately made me think of a Jason Bourne film. I was skeptical about “The Accountant,” and once again I have to back track and say what a surprise hit this film is.
Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has an affinity for numbers and uses that skill to do the accounting for some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. When the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons), starts getting close Christian takes on a legitimate client; a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk (Anna Kendrick) has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. Christian’s job is to un-cook the books but as he gets closer to the truth, people start to die.
“The Accountant” plays very much like a comic book movie without the super powers. Lead character Christian Wolff (Affleck) does exhibit some unique abilities when it comes to rationalizing figures, and can kick some serious ass thanks to his military father but its all due to mother nature and not some wonder drug. What makes it all work is the sound writing from Bill Dubuque (The Judge), who does a fine job of creating three dimensional characters as well as flushing out the sub-plots that tell the story from a variety of views. The combination makes “The Accountant” a satisfying and well-rounded action film.
Excellent casting and solid performances from John Lithgow, Jeffrey Tambor, Jon Bernthal, Anna Kendrick, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, and JK Simmons. Each deserves a write up, including Anna Kendrick who didn’t get as much to work with as all the others but still managed to deliver a solid, and believable performance.
Director Gavin O’Connor keeps the film on task with stealthy action scenes paired with witty bits of humor that never leave a lull in the story. Smartly paced fight scenes keep the action rolling with some pretty impressive fight choreography. Again, Ben Affleck proves that he can do action, credibly and this film just amps the excitement for Justice League and a repeat of him as Batman.
The only negative was a slightly sappy ending that goes on for five minutes too long, but by the time you get there you don’t mind.
4 out of 5 Stars
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Directed By: Gavin O’Connor
