Product Description

A small time crook doesn't realize he is the bait in a sneaky government scheme to capture a killer.
Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: R
Release Date: 4-FEB-2003
Media Type: DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29136 in DVD
• Brand: FOXX,JAMIE
• Released on: 2001-01-23
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 119 minutes

Amazon.com
When petty thief and hustler Alvin Sanders (Jamie Foxx from Any Given Sunday and The Wood) gets arrested for stealing shrimp, the worst of his problems would seem to be going to jail. Unfortunately, he ends up sharing a cell with a guy who, while stealing $42 million in gold from the Federal Reserve, double-crossed his partner--a partner with a knack for computers and a long memory. While being interrogated by a hardball Treasury agent (David Morse from The Green Mile), the double-crosser dies from heart failure. All the feds have are an incomprehensible message that was left with Alvin, so they decide to release him and use him as bait to catch the partner by secretly implanting a combination tracking device and electronic bug into Alvin's jaw. From that moment on, a surveillance team can follow Alvin's every move and hear his every word. Unfortunately, Alvin has a talent for getting into trouble--which means that the feds have to become his guardian angels so that he can serve his purpose. Bait certainly has its problems (there's a lot of fancy editing for no good reason, a few plot holes you could drive a truck through, and the actor playing the bad guy really wishes he was John Malkovich)--but even though it's nonsense, it's not predictable. The clever story moves along with surprising efficiency and has some successful comic bits. The characters can't be called well developed, but they aren't clichés; the movie doesn't require any great acting, but the cast is consistently engaging. In fact, Bait is one of the more enjoyable action movies of the past few years. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

jamie foxx is the man!!!
I think that sometimes people tend to over analyze movies, like some of the reviewers of this film. I LOVED this movie!!! It was funny and the action scenes are fantastic. The scenes with Jamie and Mike Epps are so funny and silly you have to like this movie. It was a very interesting movie with a not too hard to follow storyline. What more do you want for 8 dollars?
This is not a phd dissertation!!! Get this movie. If like Jamie Foxx you won't be disappointed.

In defense of "Bait"
Personally, I thought this movie was very cool and very funny. Jamie Foxx is a talented comedian and Antoine Fuqua is a director with a unique vision. The music video style added to the dark layers of the film. Doug Hutchison was brilliant in his role as Bristol. I cringe everytime he is compared to John Malkovich. Doug has an incredible versatility (most people do not recognize him at all from "The Green Mile") and this character is one of many he can do. I saw this movie three times in the theater and each time I noticed something new that explained a "plot hole" if you paid attention close enough. The movie is fast-paced and fun and the actors bring a great intensity to their role (witness the scene between Alvin and Bristol in the bathroom) and I'd furthermore like to add kudos to David Morse in his role and Mark Mancina for the music score, which was not released on CD for some reason.

Bait
My first introduction to Bait (2000) was on cable while visiting my parents. The movie had already begun. I came in on David Morse's character (Edgar Clenteen) violently grilling Robert Pastorelli. What follows is a Jamie Foxx solo comedy routine that kept me invested in the rest of the film until its resolution. Alvin, Jamie Foxx character shows a little compassion toward Robert Pastorelli while Edgar Clenteen (Morse) tunes him up for the upcoming interrogation. The bravado, however misguided on Alvin's part, directed toward Clenteen in support of Pastorelli and the ensuing jostling between Clenteen and Alvin had me in hysterics. Add to this Mike Epps role as Alvin's "something like a pimp" brother and this becomes an enjoyable roller coaster ride.

When I finally read up and watched the whole movie I wanted a copy for myself. I could not find it in the neighborhood. An outstanding cast, great direction and a story that works on many levels for me becomes a welcome addition to a modest collection where I have titles that I view repeatedly.

Bait is a movie that I enjoy every time I watch it and I watch it often.

Enjoy.