The first half of the film grabs your interest with intrigue and slick production, but too many holes in the script later, loses you. It's a gorgeously shot caper film, but tries too hard to be cool, and someone should have spent more time plugging those story holes, as one's interest drains by the end.
249 Reviews
Y'all are spoiled
rcnadolny1 August 2021
There is absolutely no reason to give this movie so much hate. Could it be better? Yes. But it could've been a lot worse. It's fun and entertaining. The acting is good. It's a story we've seen before, but it has a nice twist and a good pace. The problem with most people watching movies these days, is they've forgotten how to enjoy a simple movie that doesn't have a 300 million dollar budget. Stop being so miserable.
Not real life, just enjoy it
blanche-27 September 2021
Freddie Highmore, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Sam Riley, Famke Janssen, and Liam Cunningham star in "The Vault," also titled "Way Down."
A young genius engineer, Thom (Highmore) is brought in by a wreck recovery operation, run by a man named Walter, to break into the Bank of Spain's safe to steal a lost treasure which, after Walter's incredible recovery work, will go to the British government if it isn't stolen in time. There are no blueprints and a tight security system.
Once Thom devises a plan, the team will have 105 minutes to complete it, while Spain is immersed in the 2010 Football World Cup final, when the security system will face the crowd of 500,000 watching a giant screen.
I love heist movies, and this one, completely outlandish, made for fun and exciting viewing and was highly entertaining.
When you're dealing with heist films, criticizing them for not being realistic spoils the fun. If you want realism, watch a documentary.
A young genius engineer, Thom (Highmore) is brought in by a wreck recovery operation, run by a man named Walter, to break into the Bank of Spain's safe to steal a lost treasure which, after Walter's incredible recovery work, will go to the British government if it isn't stolen in time. There are no blueprints and a tight security system.
Once Thom devises a plan, the team will have 105 minutes to complete it, while Spain is immersed in the 2010 Football World Cup final, when the security system will face the crowd of 500,000 watching a giant screen.
I love heist movies, and this one, completely outlandish, made for fun and exciting viewing and was highly entertaining.
When you're dealing with heist films, criticizing them for not being realistic spoils the fun. If you want realism, watch a documentary.
Entertaining heist movie, filmed in Spain.
TxMike10 September 2021
This is the type of movie that, if you wanted to analyze it in detail, you could probably find quite a number of "flaws." But doing that would miss the point entirely. It is just an entertaining heist movie, the target is an impenetrable bank vault in Madrid. It s set during the 2010 soccer World Cup where Spain beat The Netherlands 1-0 and Spanish crowds were cheering in the streets and watching on a giant TV screen.
The movie starts with a British ocean exploratory team finding loot on a Spanish ship that sank in 1645, but Spanish authorities intercept them on open water. One piece was of particular interest and the heist in question was planned to recover it. The biggest problem was figuring out the heist.
Freddie Highmore (about 28), who also produced, plays a 22-yr-old college graduate who already had established a reputation for coming up with genius ideas. His job would be to figure out the impossible. Being basically a good, honest guy his only attraction to the job was to solve the impossible. The challenge.
My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library. It is scripted and acted in such a way to create tension at a number of places, the viewer wonders "How will they get out of this one?" Sort of reminded us of "Mission Impossible."
It runs almost 2 hours but it never seemed too long. Good entertaining movie.
The movie starts with a British ocean exploratory team finding loot on a Spanish ship that sank in 1645, but Spanish authorities intercept them on open water. One piece was of particular interest and the heist in question was planned to recover it. The biggest problem was figuring out the heist.
Freddie Highmore (about 28), who also produced, plays a 22-yr-old college graduate who already had established a reputation for coming up with genius ideas. His job would be to figure out the impossible. Being basically a good, honest guy his only attraction to the job was to solve the impossible. The challenge.
My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library. It is scripted and acted in such a way to create tension at a number of places, the viewer wonders "How will they get out of this one?" Sort of reminded us of "Mission Impossible."
It runs almost 2 hours but it never seemed too long. Good entertaining movie.
Entertaining!
paulclaassen8 August 2021
'The Vault' is also known as 'Way Down' in some countries.
I enjoy treasure hunting movies, and 'The Vault' felt like a treasure hunt movie, although it wasn't really. It was captivating in the vein of 'Now you see me'. It is a detailed film, with everything taken into consideration.
Freddie Highmore stars as the film's hero, Thom, who is a computer genius - or simply, a genius altogether. Although not everything was entirely believable, it was presented in an entertaining manner that made it feel fresh and credible. I enjoyed the fact they had to overcome obstacle upon obstacle. The closer they got, the more challenging it became. I found it rather fascinating.
I also enjoyed Liam Cunningham as Walter, the group's leader and the guy who found the treasure in the first place. There's a few twists along the way and a really exciting climax. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Ha-ha, great cliffhanger ending...!
Would I watch it again? Yes.
I enjoy treasure hunting movies, and 'The Vault' felt like a treasure hunt movie, although it wasn't really. It was captivating in the vein of 'Now you see me'. It is a detailed film, with everything taken into consideration.
Freddie Highmore stars as the film's hero, Thom, who is a computer genius - or simply, a genius altogether. Although not everything was entirely believable, it was presented in an entertaining manner that made it feel fresh and credible. I enjoyed the fact they had to overcome obstacle upon obstacle. The closer they got, the more challenging it became. I found it rather fascinating.
I also enjoyed Liam Cunningham as Walter, the group's leader and the guy who found the treasure in the first place. There's a few twists along the way and a really exciting climax. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Ha-ha, great cliffhanger ending...!
Would I watch it again? Yes.
Nothing we haven't seen before.
Top_Dawg_Critic21 March 2021
It was good, really well directed and shot, but the story is nothing new. It's basically a tamed down shortened movie version of Money Heist, but not nearly as cleverly or suspensefully written. Plus I feel Freddie Highmore was a poor casting choice. I kept expecting some dumb equations to pop up like they do in the lame TV series he's in, The Good Doctor. Plus he still had that lost-in-space duh look.
Try to remember this is fiction
grw11777 September 2021
This was a typical bank heist movie, but on the plus side nobody got maimed or killed, there were no car chases or big Michael Bay explosions.
No it wasn't the best script, lot of plot holes and predictable twists, but it was entertaining just the same.
Very similar to the "Now You See Me" series. Not very realistic and sort of corny. Just don't overthink it.
No it wasn't the best script, lot of plot holes and predictable twists, but it was entertaining just the same.
Very similar to the "Now You See Me" series. Not very realistic and sort of corny. Just don't overthink it.
not bad at all
abdullahgokcekesgin13 March 2021
It is a movie, not a real-life story! Just relax and enjoy it !
kicsi-ally2 May 2021
Honestly, I'm not sure I watched the same movie as those negative reviewers!
What is the point of watching a movie if we are constantly criticizing it that this and that would work in real life. Why watch a movie at all? A movies purpose is to entertain and I think this movies has accomplished it's goal!
Honest is it Oscar worthy ? No! But is an absolute enjoyment and a little trill. Just sit back relax and watch it for what is . A movie ! That's it nothing more a movie!
What is the point of watching a movie if we are constantly criticizing it that this and that would work in real life. Why watch a movie at all? A movies purpose is to entertain and I think this movies has accomplished it's goal!
Honest is it Oscar worthy ? No! But is an absolute enjoyment and a little trill. Just sit back relax and watch it for what is . A movie ! That's it nothing more a movie!
Fun and easy to watch
Mohamad02113 March 2021
Fun easy to watch. it is a successful dual language entertaining movie. English and Spanish actors did a great job cause often it is a fail when there is another language interferes.
However the movie delivers in a creative way to tell a story using the world cup event. Loved the music choices. it worth watching.
A heist movie worth your time
abisio14 April 2021
Robbing Banco de Espana has been already made on a NETFLIX series and while the challenges are similar, the development is quite faster here (less than to hours) some good suspense moments.
Walther owns a wreck recovery company whose latest recovered load was sized by the Spanish government and stored in that bank. He knows within that load there is are pieces that point to a bigger treasure.
In order to get that pieces back, he lures Thom (Freddie Highmore, a little static but still charismatic) a young nerd but very smart engineer still trying to save the world and more interested in adventures than money.
There are some other English speaking characters involved; a love interest (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as Lorraine, quite good), a former special units (Sam Riley) and an MI6 shady operative (played by Famke Janssen).
On the Spanish side we the always excellent Jose Coronado (as the bank security chief ) and Luis Tosar as the get anything man. Considering how good they are and that is an Spanish production; they probable deserved more important roles (specially Tosar); but still they get a decent screen time and their brief moments.
The script is adjusted to root for the thieves; so they have to be the "GOOD GUYS" of course.
The first part of the movie where information is being collected requires some suspension of disbelief but still works. The third act when the heist start is very well executed and both sides match their intelligence and mistakes.
The end is well and open joke but satisfying.
In brief is well crafter heist movie; with some original elements and able to keep your interest for almost two hours. Considering other recent movies are far less entertaining; this one is highly recommended.
Walther owns a wreck recovery company whose latest recovered load was sized by the Spanish government and stored in that bank. He knows within that load there is are pieces that point to a bigger treasure.
In order to get that pieces back, he lures Thom (Freddie Highmore, a little static but still charismatic) a young nerd but very smart engineer still trying to save the world and more interested in adventures than money.
There are some other English speaking characters involved; a love interest (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as Lorraine, quite good), a former special units (Sam Riley) and an MI6 shady operative (played by Famke Janssen).
On the Spanish side we the always excellent Jose Coronado (as the bank security chief ) and Luis Tosar as the get anything man. Considering how good they are and that is an Spanish production; they probable deserved more important roles (specially Tosar); but still they get a decent screen time and their brief moments.
The script is adjusted to root for the thieves; so they have to be the "GOOD GUYS" of course.
The first part of the movie where information is being collected requires some suspension of disbelief but still works. The third act when the heist start is very well executed and both sides match their intelligence and mistakes.
The end is well and open joke but satisfying.
In brief is well crafter heist movie; with some original elements and able to keep your interest for almost two hours. Considering other recent movies are far less entertaining; this one is highly recommended.
Better than most Netflix movies
scoopdog-3348317 August 2021
I found this to be far better than most Netflix movies. A good story line that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Follows a fairly basic heist movie formula, but there is a reason for the formula, it works! Definitely a good watch.
Too many problems
Leofwine_draca4 March 2022
I wanted to like this Spanish heist thriller a lot as I adore the director's REC and SLEEP TIGHT, but sadly there are too many problems here for it to work. Which is a surprise as heist films are usually easy to make and enjoy. I was put off by Freddie Highmore, who seems to be channelling the autistic doctor he plays in another show, and the female Burn Gorman lookalike fails to impress too. The old timers do better but are given little to do. The vault itself is ridiculously designed and veers more into fantasy than real life, and the science is deeply flawed too. This is a film that works best when the thrills are realistic and there are some good suspense bits, just not enough of them.
no creativity
bou3zizi17 March 2021
A New Story Based On A Standard Idea
joncj512 April 2021
I'd never seen Freddie Highmore previous to this, so I had no preconceptions of his other work. I see a number of low reviews, but unsure of why. I though this was a good film. Have similar films been made before? Well, what topic hasn't been done before? I found it refreshing, interesting and exciting. I didn't care for the computer geek kid, but I overlook characters I dislike and don't let them spoil the rest of the film. Maybe the idea wasn't new, but the story was. I would recommend this movie to most anyone.
Solid heist movie
joscon-1661620 April 2021
Overall story was interesting. Several very unbelievable parts, but what heist movie doesnt have that. Decent amount of tension but the cast didnt have a lot of chemistry like what there was in the Oceans movies. Still worth a watch if you like heist films.
Popcorn movie
mariannelisabeth13 March 2021
Refreshingly easy watch. No politics or "woke" crap just a easygoing popcorn movie. Wanted to give it 7/10 but just because it was free of all 2021 boring stuff I give it a nice 8/10. Watch this without worrying about getting hit over the head with real live crap and just enjoy!
Clever heist movie
Calicodreamin1 August 2021
The storyline was pretty basic but well executed. Cinematography and acting were better than I expected. The plot had a solid attempt at a twist although it was terribly predictable. Overall an enjoyably mindless watch.
Huh?
jdticktalk20 March 2021
This is the type of movie you hope is cleverly cast and written.....with a smashing end.....but...alas....not here! There's little chemistry between characters.....much of the writing is improbable.....and the end makes no sense. We're supposed to believe that a 500 year old treasure ended up being buried.....where?....you're kidding.....right?
God Save the Queen...
Xstal12 March 2021
... but god help us all as the most conjured, contrived and concocted, made for tv, middle of the road, median, mean and average bank heist story goes bust and burst while flooding, flailing and failing to entertain through an exceptionally unbalanced, uneven, off centre and out of kilter plot - the securely locked door left open for a part two suggested, but let's hope not.
Not quite as fun as other heist films but still a good time
jtindahouse1 October 2021
I enjoy a good heist movie. They are always a lot of fun and often have a lot of clever aspects that I really appreciate. 'The Vault' is no different. It finds a good balance between being clever enough to be impressive, while also being simple enough to easily follow. The film also did a good job of making sure we were on the side of the heisters. It's not always easy for me to side with "criminals", however on this occasion they gave me good reason to.
Where the film falls down a little is in the characters and the acting. Heist characters should be ultra-cool and a lot of fun. This lot are quite serious and certainly not the coolest collection of characters ever assembled. Also the acting lets them down a lot of the time. It often feels like lines have been learned five minutes before the scene and are just being read out, rather than acted.
Still, this one is a good time for the most part and if you are a fan of heist films like me then you will likely find some enjoyment in it. 7/10.
Where the film falls down a little is in the characters and the acting. Heist characters should be ultra-cool and a lot of fun. This lot are quite serious and certainly not the coolest collection of characters ever assembled. Also the acting lets them down a lot of the time. It often feels like lines have been learned five minutes before the scene and are just being read out, rather than acted.
Still, this one is a good time for the most part and if you are a fan of heist films like me then you will likely find some enjoyment in it. 7/10.
Exciting and original
bloomingstar99913 February 2022
There are movies, after 5 minutes, you know you'll get bored and it's going to be difficult to watch til the end. The Vault grabs your attention from the very beginning. And since then, you absolutely want to know what is going to happen and how... Highmore is no more the kiddie who chases monsters in his garden, he holds this heist flick on his shoulders, helped by solid actors and characters. It's certainly not a masterpierce (the 3rd act is a bit less gripping), but it's a very good original movie with a strong execution.
It wasn't bad up until heist day. . .
davejones26 August 2021
I liked the motivation of the heist leader--the idea that the vault contained treasure that had been taken from him and was rightfully his. That was nice.
The old and ingenious mechanism at the center of the vault was also an original plot element--even if it was ridiculously easy to access.
Yes, the world's most secure vault seemed. . . Less than secure. But I was willing to overlook that. Most heist movies are less than fully believable.
But you know where they finally lost me? It was about three quarters of the way through the movie, the day of the big heist, where in order to get to where they need to go, the characters must do the thing that is by now so cliché that I thought that it would have been banned from every script written since 1970.
That's right, they crawled through the air ducts. By now, doesn't everyone know that they don't make air ducts big enough for a man to crawl through (especially in the world's most secure bank) and they're far too flimsy to support the weight of an adult anyway?
I don't mind a few moments that stretch credulity. But I do mind hoary old clichés that haven't been believable for 50 years, now.
The old and ingenious mechanism at the center of the vault was also an original plot element--even if it was ridiculously easy to access.
Yes, the world's most secure vault seemed. . . Less than secure. But I was willing to overlook that. Most heist movies are less than fully believable.
But you know where they finally lost me? It was about three quarters of the way through the movie, the day of the big heist, where in order to get to where they need to go, the characters must do the thing that is by now so cliché that I thought that it would have been banned from every script written since 1970.
That's right, they crawled through the air ducts. By now, doesn't everyone know that they don't make air ducts big enough for a man to crawl through (especially in the world's most secure bank) and they're far too flimsy to support the weight of an adult anyway?
I don't mind a few moments that stretch credulity. But I do mind hoary old clichés that haven't been believable for 50 years, now.
Here's the verdict
fwigfs9 August 2021
This is a fun movie with a clever base storyline. The acting was good as well. But this movie is kind of perdictable I mean you can see what's coming for the most part. Though the movie bills itself a slick clever story there are some big holes in the story. So you kind of need to check your inquisitive mind at the door. But overall it's an enjoyable ride!
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