Hubbry Logo
TakersTakersMain
Open search
Takers
Community hub
Takers
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Takers
Takers
Takers
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Takers
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn Luessenhop
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Barrett
Edited byArmen Minasian
Music byPaul Haslinger
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • August 27, 2010 (2010-08-27) (United States)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$32 million[1]
Box office$69.1 million[2]

Takers[3] is a 2010 American heist action thriller film directed by John Luessenhop. It features Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Jay Hernandez, Michael Ealy, T.I., Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, and Zoe Saldaña. The film follows a group of professional bank robbers who specialize in spectacular robberies. They are pulled into one last job by a recently paroled cohort only to be pitted against a hard-boiled detective and his partner who interrupt their heist.[4]

Plot

[edit]

Detectives Jack Welles and Eddie Hatcher investigate a daring heist by a group of well-organized bank robbers. Led by Gordon Cozier, the crew consists of John, A.J., and brothers Jake and Jesse Attica. A former member, Ghost, was caught during a previous robbery five years before. In his absence, Jake began a relationship with Ghost's former girlfriend Lilly, who recently accepted his marriage proposal.

After Ghost is released from prison, he reconnects with the crew and proposes a major heist. Only five days from now, $25 million will be transported by a convoy of two armored trucks, with all the money being carried in the first truck.

Dressed as construction workers, the crew hide out underground, while Ghost poses as a police officer, so he can keep an eye out for the trucks. Meanwhile, John is ready to take out Ghost with a sniper rifle from the top of a nearby garage in case the whole thing is a set-up. The crew plan to detonate a blast when the armored trucks pass overhead, causing the trucks to fall underground. However, a cyclist causes the lead driver to stop short and the explosives are detonated too early. The lead driver radios the police, while armed guards pile out of the rear truck.

A gunfight ensues between the robbers in the crater and the guards on the street, until John commandeers the rear truck and rams the lead truck into the crater where the crew cut into it. John and the other robbers pack the cash into bags, and flee through different sewage tunnels which they know to intersect with the subway system.

Welles and Hatcher show up on the scene, and, after learning of the robbers' escape through the sewer system, remember a map of the city subway system from the Russian gang hideout, and deduce that they must be escaping through the stations marked on the map. They rush to the nearest station, where they find Jesse, and a chase ensues, during which Jesse hides his bag of money and is cornered. He shoots Detective Hatcher and escapes while Welles stops to aid his partner, who dies from his wound.

Jesse reconvenes with the rest of the crew at a hotel room. It is now revealed that Ghost had previously cut the same deal with the Russian gangsters to rob the truck but doublecrossed them by going early, effectively cutting them out. Ghost gives the Russians the hotel room number, then escapes out the bathroom window, just before the Russians storm the room and attempt to kill the crew. A.J. sacrifices himself to save the others in the ensuing gunfight, and the rest of the crew are able to kill the Russians and flee the building before the police arrive. Jake and Jesse return home where Jake finds Lilly's corpse. Also, the safe where they kept their secret stash of money has been cleaned out. The police surround their bar and kill both when they make a suicide charge outside.

Gordon and John separate to make their escape, but realize that Ghost intends to take all of their money, which is being held by Scott, a well-connected fence. Ghost sneaks onto Scott's private plane and kills him, taking their laundered money in two suitcases. Gordon and Detective Welles arrive, and a three-way Mexican standoff results in which Ghost hits both Gordon and Welles. As Ghost prepares to finish Gordon off, John arrives and shoots him dead. John recognizes Welles as the same cop who was with the little girl. John and Gordon refuse to kill Welles. A gravely wounded Welles manages to call 911 for help on his cell phone. John and an injured Gordon take the money and drive off with Gordon's sister Naomi in tow, John asks Gordon "Are we good, brother?" and Gordon replies by saying "All signs point to it."

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, reports that 28% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 113 reviews; the average rating is 4.6/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Takers boasts some gripping set pieces and keeps things moving quickly, but its two-dimensional characters, clichéd script, and brazenly derivative plot make it hard to recommend."[5] On Metacritic, the film holds a weighted average score of 45 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[6] Today called it "almost a good little heist movie", praising the plot twists but criticising the characterization.[7]

Author Stephen King, in his end-of-the-year Entertainment Weekly column, listed it at #5 of his best films of 2010. He says that "the climax does strain credulity, but the characters feel real & the armored-car heist is the best action sequence in 2010"[8][full citation needed]

Box office

[edit]

The film was number one at the box office during its opening weekend, making $20,512,304. Takers made its U.S. debut on approximately 2,600 screens at 2,206 locations. According to Box Office Mojo, "The heist thriller tripled the start of Armored, and it came in only a bit behind last summer's higher-profile The Taking of Pelham 123. Its initial attendance was also nearly 50 percent greater than similar titles like Dead Presidents, and Street Kings."[9] Takers was made available on Blu-ray and DVD on January 18, 2011.[10]

Accolades

[edit]

BET Awards

Black Reel Awards

California on Location Awards

  • 2011: Win – Location Team of the Year – Features

NAACP Image Awards

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Takers

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Takers is a 2010 American heist action thriller film directed by in his feature directorial debut. It stars , , , , , T.I., , , and Zoe Saldaña. The film follows a group of skilled robbers planning a major heist, only to face interference from a determined .

Overview

Plot

Detectives Jack Welles (Matt Dillon) and Eddie Hatcher (Jay Hernandez) investigate a daring heist by a group of well-organized bank robbers. Led by Gordon Jennings (), the crew consists of John Rahway (), A.J. (), and brothers Jake () and Jesse Attica (). A former member, (T.I.), was caught during a previous five years earlier. In his absence, Jake began a relationship with Ghost's former girlfriend Lilly (Zoe Saldana), who recently accepted his marriage proposal. After is released from , he reconnects with the crew and proposes a major heist: five days from now, $25 million will be transported by a of two armored trucks, all in the first truck. Dressed as construction workers, the crew hides underground while poses as a to monitor the trucks. John prepares to snipe from a nearby garage if it's a setup. They detonate explosives as the trucks pass, but a cyclist causes an early stop, leading to a gunfight with the guards. John commandeers the rear truck and rams the lead one into the , where the crew extracts the and flees through sewage tunnels intersecting the subway system. Welles and Hatcher arrive, deduce the escape using a map from a Russian gang hideout, and chase Jesse to a station. Jesse shoots Hatcher and escapes, hiding his money bag, while Welles aids his dying partner. Jesse reunites with the crew at a . had planned the heist with the Russians but double-crossed them by acting early; he tips them off to the and escapes via the window. The Russians storm , leading to a gunfight where A.J. sacrifices himself to save the others. The crew kills the Russians and flees before police arrive. Jake and Jesse return home to find Lilly's corpse and their safe emptied. Police surround their bar, and the brothers die charging out in a . Gordon and John pursue Ghost, who kills their fence Scott on his private plane and takes the laundered money. At the airport, a standoff ensues with Welles; Ghost wounds both Gordon and Welles, but John shoots Ghost dead. John and Gordon refuse to kill the wounded Welles, who calls 911. They escape with the money and Gordon's sister Naomi (Marianne Jean-Baptiste).

Cast

Takers features an ensemble cast blending established actors with rising action stars, totaling 70 credited performers. The principal roles center on the heist crew and law enforcement pursuers. The heist team is led by as Gordon Jennings, the charismatic leader of the crew, as John Rahway, a skilled driver and planner, as A.J., the tech expert and playboy, as Jake Attica, the strategist, and as Jesse Attica, Jake's impulsive brother and getaway driver. Opposing the crew are Matt Dillon as Jack Welles, the relentless detective, and as Eddie Hatcher, Welles' partner. portrays Naomi, Gordon's sister. Supporting roles include as Ghost, a former crew member who proposes the central heist, and Zoe Saldana as Lilly, Jake's fiancée and Ghost's ex-girlfriend. Additional minor characters, such as Russian mobsters, round out the ensemble.

Production

Development

The development of Takers originated from a story conceived by director John Luessenhop and writer Gabriel Casseus, who expanded it into a screenplay alongside contributions from Peter Allen and Avery Duff. The project initially bore the working title Bone Deep during its early scripting phase. Luessenhop, marking his return to feature directing after his 2000 debut Lockdown, envisioned the film as a high-stakes urban heist thriller, drawing stylistic parallels to Michael Mann's Heat through its emphasis on meticulously choreographed robbery sequences and moral ambiguities among the protagonists. Primary production responsibilities fell to Rainforest Films, founded by Luessenhop and producer Jason Geter, in association with Grand Hustle Entertainment, the company established by rapper and actor T.I. Screen Gems, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, provided financing and handled distribution, enabling the project to move forward as a mid-budget action vehicle. The overall production budget was set at $32 million, with development focused on blending ensemble character dynamics with explosive set pieces to appeal to urban thriller audiences. Script revisions occurred between 2008 and 2009, incorporating input from the multiple credited writers to heighten the action elements and strengthen the interplay among the core group of bank robbers, culminating in the title change to Takers inspired by a pivotal line about the crew's . This evolution positioned the film for key cast attachments, including and , to anchor the ensemble.

Casting

The ensemble cast of Takers was assembled through a collaborative process led by producers including T.I. (Tip Harris), who served as both actor and executive producer, emphasizing selections that aligned with the film's high-stakes heist narrative. T.I. later noted that he successfully secured all of his preferred choices for key roles, including Idris Elba as the crew leader Gordon Jennings, Paul Walker as the sharpshooter John Rahway, Michael Ealy as strategist Jake Attica, and Chris Brown as the agile Jesse Attica, highlighting the importance of their fit for the group's dynamic. By September 2008, as was set to begin, the core cast was in place with joining as the tech expert A.J., alongside himself as the parolee , who leveraged his producer involvement to shape the ensemble. was attached early as the determined Jack Welles, providing dramatic gravitas to the antagonist role opposite as his partner Eddie Hatcher, establishing a buddy-cop tension central to the plot. That same month, six additional performers were announced to round out the lineup: Zoe Saldana as the romantic interest Lilly, , Steve Harris, and in supporting capacities. Chris Brown's casting as Jesse marked a notable crossover from music to film, building on his limited acting experience from This Christmas (2007) and aiming to showcase his physicality in action sequences. The selections balanced established talents like —known for commanding roles in —and Dillon with rising action stars like Walker, whose driving expertise from the franchise suited the film's chase scenes, while integrating musicians T.I. and Brown to infuse urban authenticity.

Filming

Principal photography for Takers took place from September 8, 2008, to November 14, 2008, spanning approximately 10 weeks. The production primarily utilized urban settings in , to capture the film's heist-centric narrative. Key locations included 410 Boyd Street, where a street scene featuring Jake Attica bidding farewell to Lilli was filmed; 550 South Hope Street, used for downtown sequences; and the financial district areas to simulate high-stakes robbery environments. Additional sites encompassed the Los Angeles Center Studios for interior shots, Big Sky Movie Ranch for exterior action, and Dodger Stadium's parking lot for the explosive sequence in the opening heist. Technical execution emphasized practical effects to heighten realism in the heist sequences. Cinematographer shot the film using Panavision Genesis digital cameras, capturing high-contrast visuals suited to the movie's nocturnal action. were employed for the helicopter explosion at , where a real was rigged with gas cans for the blast, limited to a single take due to safety constraints. Stunt coordinator Lance Gilbert oversaw car chases and robberies, incorporating real vehicle maneuvers; several cast members, including , performed their own driving stunts during pursuit scenes. Filming faced logistical challenges in coordinating large-scale action amid Los Angeles' dense urban landscape, requiring traffic closures in well-trafficked metro areas for chase and heist setups. The production prioritized safety protocols for high-risk elements, such as the helicopter pyrotechnics and firearm simulations, ensuring compliance during explosive and aerial shots. In , initial editing efforts concentrated on refining the pacing of heist montages to maintain tension, as highlighted in behind-the-scenes discussions by director .

Release

Marketing and promotion

The promotional campaign for Takers emphasized the film's high-octane heist action and to generate buzz ahead of its August 27, 2010, theatrical release. A key element was the release of trailers that highlighted the crew's elaborate robberies and interpersonal dynamics; the official trailer debuted on September 10, 2009, via , where it quickly gained traction as an online viral, amassing millions of views over time through shares and embeds on sites. A follow-up TV spot, "Bet Big, Win Big," aired in September 2010, further teasing the film's themes of risk and reward. Stylized posters played a central role in visual marketing, depicting the stars—, , , , , T.I., and —in tailored suits amid gritty urban skylines and luxury vehicles, underscoring the blend of sophistication and peril in the story. Partnerships leveraged the cast's music ties, particularly with T.I., whose single "Yeah Ya Know (Takers)"—produced in collaboration with the film's —debuted on May 24, 2010, and peaked at number 44 on the , serving as a promotional bridge between the movie and hip-hop audiences. Media events amplified visibility, including press junkets in major cities where cast members discussed the production's action sequences and ensemble chemistry. The world premiere took place on the at ArcLight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood on August 4, 2010, drawing celebrities and media coverage that spotlighted the 's urban thriller appeal. Targeting urban action enthusiasts, the campaign focused on demographics drawn to hip-hop and crime dramas, with advertisements placed during programming on networks like to reach diverse, younger viewers. Overall, the strategy was described as relatively understated compared to blockbusters, relying on cast star power and digital/word-of-mouth momentum rather than massive expenditures.

Theatrical release

Takers was released theatrically in the United States on August 27, 2010, by in a across 2,206 theaters. The film received an MPAA rating of PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, a sexual situation involving partial nudity, and some language. The world premiere took place on August 4, 2010, at in Hollywood, , with cast members including , , and in attendance. Screen Gems, a division of Entertainment, distributed the film domestically and handled worldwide rights through Sony Pictures Releasing, with a strategic emphasis on urban theaters to target diverse audiences. Internationally, Takers expanded to over 20 countries beginning in 2010, including releases in the on October 1, on August 20, on September 3, and on September 24; non-English markets featured dubbed or subtitled versions as standard for the genre. The film's action sequences generated initial buzz during its opening weekend, contributing to early audience interest.

Home media

The home video release of Takers occurred on January 18, 2011, distributed by in both DVD and Blu-ray formats. The Blu-ray edition presents the film in /AVC MPEG-4 with a 2.40:1 and , while the standard DVD offers a comparable presentation; combo packs including both formats were also available, with an initial suggested retail price of approximately $34.95 for the Blu-ray. Special features on these discs include an audio commentary track by director and producers and George Litto, a for T.I.'s "Yeah Ya Know (Takers)," and featurettes such as "The Takers Heist" and "Style and Stunts," providing behind-the-scenes insights into the production and action sequences. Digital availability began with video-on-demand and streaming debuts on platforms like and Amazon on June 5, 2012. The film later appeared on and other services, contributing to its ongoing accessibility. Home video sales were strong, with the release topping the DVD and Blu-ray charts in its debut week, selling 440,750 DVD units and 119,536 Blu-ray units for a combined total exceeding 560,000 units and over $9.4 million in revenue; cumulative domestic sales reached 938,520 DVD units and 194,610 Blu-ray units, generating approximately $23.4 million and aiding the film's overall profitability following its $57.7 million theatrical gross. As of 2025, Takers remains available for free streaming on platforms like , alongside options for rent or purchase on Amazon Video and others.

Reception

Critical reception

Takers received mixed reviews from critics, who praised certain technical elements while criticizing its narrative shortcomings. On , the film holds a 28% approval rating based on 113 reviews, with an average score of 4.6/10. The site's consensus states: "Takers boasts some gripping set pieces and keeps things moving quickly, but its two-dimensional characters, clichéd script, and brazenly derivative plot make it hard to recommend." On , it scores 45 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Positive feedback centered on the film's action sequences and the performances of its . Critics highlighted the sharply choreographed heist scenes, particularly the opening , for their intensity and visual flair. Several reviewers compared these set pieces to those in Michael Mann's films like , noting Takers' stylistic nods to 1990s crime thrillers despite lacking their depth. and received particular acclaim for their chemistry, with Elba's charismatic leadership as the crew's planner and Dillon's determined adding emotional anchors to the proceedings. However, the majority of critiques focused on the film's predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. Variety described it as "graced with ample style if not much substance," a "respectable but watered-down heist movie" reliant on clichés. called it a "slickly packaged but otherwise a by-the-numbers exercise," evoking 1990s heist movies without innovation or meaningful character arcs. Common complaints included the formulaic narrative, where style overshadowed substantive storytelling, leading to one-dimensional portrayals of the diverse crew and a lack of tension in interpersonal dynamics.

Box office

Takers had a production budget of $32 million. The film opened in 2,206 theaters across the on August 27, 2010, earning $20.5 million during its opening weekend and narrowly claiming the number one spot at the ahead of . Over its entire theatrical run, Takers grossed $57.7 million domestically and $12.8 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $70.6 million. The film's strong initial performance was driven by its appeal to urban audiences, particularly given its predominantly African American cast, though it faced competition from other action-oriented releases like Machete in subsequent weeks. Its domestic legs measured 2.82 times the opening weekend, somewhat limited by mixed critical reception. Despite the ensemble featuring established stars such as , , and , the film's earnings were considered modest relative to the cast's collective drawing power, marking a solid but not blockbuster outcome for director John Luessenhop's feature debut. The theatrical gross alone exceeded the budget, suggesting profitability, with further revenue expected from ancillary markets.

Accolades

Takers received recognition primarily through genre and diversity-focused awards ceremonies, with particular acclaim for Idris Elba's lead performance as Gordon Jennings, the charismatic leader of the heist crew. At the 2011 BET Awards, the film earned a win for Elba in the Best Actor category, shared with his work on Luther, and a nomination for Best Movie. Elba also received a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture at the 2011 NAACP Image Awards. Additional honors included a win at the 2009 California On Location Awards for Location Team of the Year in Features, acknowledging the production's location management efforts. The film garnered nominations at the 2011 Black Reel Awards for Best Ensemble and Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted). In total, Takers secured 2 wins and 6 nominations across various ceremonies, with most accolades highlighting Elba's performance and contributing to his rising prominence following his role in The Wire.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/
  2. https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/takers
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/plotsummary/
  4. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/22907-takers/cast?language=en-US
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/fullcredits/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/fullcredits
  7. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0525141/
  8. https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/takers-1117943334/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/companycredits/
  10. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Takers-%282010%29
  11. https://boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1135084/
  12. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/takers/cast-and-crew
  13. https://theboxhouston.com/1467751/t-i-talks-about-takers-his-tight-a-uniform-chrisbrown-and-more/
  14. https://movieweb.com/6-join-ensemble-cast-in-bone-deep/
  15. https://thatgrapejuice.net/2010/08/video-chris-brown-talks-takers-movie/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/locations/
  17. https://moviemaps.org/movies/1x5
  18. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/takers-special-effects-are-special-27176/
  19. https://shotonwhat.com/takers-2010
  20. https://www.reddit.com/r/ChrisBrown/comments/1oofby4/the_way_chris_brown_didnt_need_a_stuntman_for/
  21. https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3955/takers.html
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1JXKCProqA
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnbK3AswRks
  24. https://www.cinematerial.com/movies/takers-i1135084
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTke1kLddeg
  26. https://www.bet.com/article/s3pfmr/video-idris-elba-talks-takers
  27. http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/26/takers.film.marketing/index.html
  28. https://www.movieinsider.com/m4511/takers
  29. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/takers
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/releaseinfo/
  31. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/actors-hayden-christensen-and-idris-elba-arrive-at-the-news-photo/109745634
  32. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/last-exorcism-tops-takers-at-27188/
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DItbZIVKhk
  34. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Takers-(2010)
  35. http://www.dvdmg.com/takers.shtml
  36. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Takers-Blu-ray/17447/
  37. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/takers
  38. https://www.netflix.com/title/70117294
  39. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/takers-bumps-social-network-atop-76389/
  40. https://tubitv.com/movies/528599/takers
  41. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/takers
  42. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/takers
  43. https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2010/08/27/movie-review-takers-will-rob/48366188007/
  44. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/takers-film-review-29880/
  45. https://www.npr.org/2010/08/26/129449128/takers-they-shouldnt-make-em-like-this-anymore
  46. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/takers/critic-reviews/
  47. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1135084/
  48. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1397130753/
  49. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/company-town-blog/story/2010-08-30/takers-pulls-ahead-of-last-exorcism-in-final-box-office-count
  50. https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/company-town-blog/story/2010-08-29/box-office-last-exorcism-and-takers-in-dead-heat-avatar-re-release-fizzles
  51. https://www.altfg.com/takers-box-office/
  52. https://www.bet.com/article/cis63v/best-male-and-female-actor-winners-at-the-bet-awards
  53. https://deadline.com/2011/01/2011-naacp-image-award-filmtv-noms-96207/
  54. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000101/2011/1/
  55. https://popcrush.com/2011-bet-awards-winners/
  56. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000345/2011/1/
  57. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135084/awards/
  58. https://mubi.com/en/us/films/takers
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.