Overview
The Hurricane Heist is a 2018 American disaster-heist action film directed by Rob Cohen, whose previous works include action thrillers like The Fast and the Furious and xXx. The film features a unique blend of a heist and a Cat 5 hurricane. It was written by Jeff Dixon and Scott Windhauser, based on an original story by Anthony Fingleton and Carlos Davis.
The film was aimed to be a 90s style popcorn thriller, but like vintage throws, the film’s plot was taken in a different direction. Though the film received mixed to negative reviews for the crude plot and excessive nature, certain groups of viewers found the movie to be a delightful ridiculous watch.
The movie was estimated to have a production budget of 35 – 40 million and grossed 32.5 million worldwide, thus, making it a monetary letdown. But it did capture a cult following due to it’s B-rated action movie exuberance with fans.
Plot Summary
The movie begins with a hurricane whirlpool in Gulfport, Alabama in 1992. Two young brothers, Will and Breeze Rutledge along with their father try to navigate the hurricane in a truck. They happen to get caught in the hurricane and tragically the winds sweep their truck away.
Now, Hurricane Tammy approaches the same area as a Category 5 storm. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury is preparing to shred 600 million dollars, located in the shuttered Treasury facility, which is under evacuation due to the storm.
Casey Corbyn is an escorting Treasury Agent supervising the shredding operation. Struggling to unlock failed storm-ducted backup generators, she contacts Breeze Rutledge to assist. Will Rutledge, Casey’s brother, is tracking the storm’s path while working as a short-term Meteorologist at NWS.
Without her knowledge, Casey faces off against a team commander trying to cover an elaborate heist under the storm. A security officer working for Perkins LLC, Perkins himself, uses the storm to take control of the Treasury facility. Willnow. For the purpose of the heist, Casey ends up getting away, team up with Will, and together they plan to turn the tide and foil the storm cover heist.
Working together to devise plans from her Meteorologist and tactical operator backgrounds, together with Casey’s heist foil knowledge, the two will gather forces and rescue the mercenarian hold captive Breeze.
Amidst the wild weather, the heist’s action reaches new heights with over-the-top shootouts, collapsing buildings, and truck chases. Character confrontations unfold within the storm’s eye. In the end, Casey, Will, and Breeze survive while the mercenaries, who planned to take advantage of the storm, are mostly defeated and swept away.
Main Cast
Toby Kebbell as Will Rutledge and storm-chasing meteorologist who is tormented by his past.
Maggie Grace as Casey Corbyn, a resourceful Treasury agent.
Ryan Kwanten as Breeze Rutledge, Will’s younger brother and ex-Marine.
Ralph Ineson as Connor Perkins, the merciless leader of the mercenaries.
In supporting roles, Melissa Bolona, Jamie Andrew Cutler, and Ben Cross portray hacker accomplices and corrupt local law enforcement.
Direction and Cinematography
Like in past works, Rob Cohen incorporates his trademark high-octane chases, gunfights, and CGI-laden disaster sequences. Far from being a mere backdrop, the hurricane captivates by acting as a character as well, heightening the action and adding new angles for tension-filled moments.
The hurricane’s havoc is accompanied by enormous destruction, with collapsing buildings and a street filled with debris. These scenes were mainly shot in Bulgaria, where the design tried to pass for America while the production accurately mimicked infrastructure.
Key Concepts
Human Greed against Nature
The premise of the film revolves nature overpowering human ambition. The mercenaries that are hired seem to have full control of the situation but are met with the hurricane that proves to be highly unpredictable and way too powerful to handle. Their downfall is rooted in their overconfidence.
Brotherhood and Redemption
Will and Breeze, two deeply traumatized brothers who have been torn apart due to a shared tragedy, are brought together in the emotional heart of the film. Their loyalty to one another, along with reconciliation, is discovered anew while trying to survive the hurricane and a cross-country heist along with an attempt to thwart the heist.
Overconfidence Stemming from Technology
The film’s use of hacks to bypass vaults and predict storms showcases modern technology and, at the same time, criticizes the belief that technology can continuously outsmart nature.
Film Reception
Earnings from the film
Due to the film’s poor marketing, it grossed an estimated $33 million against a production cost of $40 million. The domestic earnings reached a mere $6 million while the international earnings amounted to $26 million.
Critical Response
The film was criticized for impossible events, over-the-top action, disjointed humor, and a lack of harmony throughout. It did not score well on review aggregate sites and some even went as far as to describe it as a poorly done, silly, knock-off of a movie.
Though many did not enjoy it, some people did embrace its brand of absurdity. The idea of a heist during a natural disaster can be seen as unique, as is the execution, even if it is cliché. Viewers who enjoy over the top spectacles, action, or disaster thrillers may appreciate the chaos.
Strengths
Action-Packed Entertainment: The film is full of action and is entertaining throughout the entire duration.
Fast-Paced Narrative: The plot is full of events and rarely stops for a break, making it fun for viewers who wish for a fast experience.
Unique Premise: Merging a heist and a hurricane is unlike most disaster, or crime films, making this far more intriguing to watch.
Weaknesses
Shallow Characters: The driving force of the movie is poorly explained, as the character’s backstory is not elaborated on and is far too simplistic.
Overuse of CGI: While some CGI is well done, especially the storm effects, the climax of the movie is too absurd as it contains almost laughable CGI.
Unrealistic Scenarios: The film’s take on hurricane physics, and the cyber-level military heist made possible on the adjacent level, is far too absurd to be believable.
Final Reflections
To fully appreciate “The Hurricane Heist,” take it for what it is – an action-packed, outlandish story for the weary traveler in us all. Instead of focusing on realistic criminal enterprises or accurate story-telling, the film portrays quirky relationships set against a loud, hurricane slurry of chaotic action.
The movie doesn’t seem to have garnered much acclaim or box office success, but there’s a certain appeal to such films. It is an example of “guilty pleasure” cinema, where logic is thrown out the window for the sake of outrageous entertainment. If the viewer is in the mood for spectacular visuals, ridiculous storylines, and chaos inked in hurricane, this film does not disappoint.
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