The Instigators

Just a good traditional movie. And I'm so grateful for that.

There are no inserted characters into this film. There is no political statement in this film. There are no incompetent actors or directing or writing in this film. It's just a good film.

It doesn't try to do a whole lot. It's a character-driven heist drama. It achieves what it sets out to. With developed characters, good dialogue, a decent script and competent cinematography.

There is also very minimal CGI. You know that the locations, for the most part, are real.

It won't be in anyones top 10 movies of all time, but for the present year, and all of the rubbish we're shovel-fed, this is very refreshing.

This is a lighthearted fun movie which doesn't take itself too seriously. Having watched the trailer a few weeks ago I was interested in seeing this. That said I am no Casey Affleck fan, but I have to say he was very good.

This is one of those films where everything that could go wrong for the protagonists, does go wrong. I found myself chuckling at the ineptitude and misfortune of the main characters, and willing them on to achieve their goal. I also thought that psychiatrist played a great role in the film, at times dead pan, and at other times she was very funny.

For me, this is a good old fashioned comedy crime caper and worth a look.

Love the incessant patter between Afleck and Damon - my dad's family hails from Boston and Peabody and the yabbering between the two sounded just like many a Thanksgiving. Really fun, lightweight caper that gets a lot of its pleasure from the two bickering. Man, those two brought me back home.

Great supporting cast and enough unforeseen twists to make it quite original. Not really for the family audience as they use the f-word like a preposition; often and in nearly every sentence. Very, very Boston...tender ears and delicate sensibilities may be easily offended.

If you can turn your brain off and go along with the ride, then it's highly recommended!

In superbly cast blockbuster buddy heist caper "The Instigators" stoic Matt Damon & carefree Casey Affleck are mis-matched strangers hired (by Michael Stuhlbarg (terrific) with Alfred Molina) to rob Boston's crooked mayor Ron Perlman (with lawyer Toby Jones) - but when things go badly wrong the duo are forced on the run (assisted by Damon's shrink Hong Chau) from the likes of Paul Walter Hauser (underused) & Ving Rhames. Director Doug Liman applies the requisite polish, and the screenplay from Affleck & debutant Chuck MacLean keeps events moving at a jaunty pace. It's not world-beating or world-changing, but it sure is entertaining. Recommended.

This was funny, clever, unique, had great dialogue, sympathetic characters and overall very entertaining! I'm glad I ignored the negative reviews because I really enjoyed this. Affleck and Damon have good chemistry, they are believable as buddies. I thought the script was quite fun and delivered nicely. The secondary characters were subtly effective and well acted. Though it was highly improbable and far fetched in places, the twists made it fun. Even the vehicle chases were exciting. A certain degree of justice was provided especially for the guys walking in the woods in Canada without boots.