Going in Style - 2 smiles

"Going in Style," a remake of a 1979 film, is an inconsequential piece of fluff that makes good use of its stars, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin. Because director Zach Braff is probably banking more on the likability of its stars rather than the creativity of the script, most audiences will probably see this on home video. The main problem with "Going in Style" is that it takes forever to get going and when it does, there's not much style. Half of the movie is devoted to introducing the characters, establishing their relationships and making sure the audience is aware that these are good guys, not criminals. They have been robbed of their pensions by greedy banks and forgotten by a system that doesn't value the aged. So of course they're going to rob a bank. Once this crime arrives, nearly an hour into the 96-minute running length, things pick up. The segment in which Joe (Caine), Willie (Freeman) and Albert (Arkin) set up their alibis is a bit of cleverness missing from the rest of the movie. "Going in Style" is not aimed at your usual millennial demographic, but if it tickles your fancy and is still playing at a theater near you, it's a fun way to spend an afternoon.