Completely different movies- yes, but this movie has the same feeling of ecstasy and will *figuratively* be sending you through twists and turns. It was a very pleasant watch, and if it wasn't for all these idiotic reviews my honest review would probably be a very strong 7- mediocre 8. See this one for yourself and you'll be walking out of the theater satisfied shaking your head and balking at how someone could possibly give this movie a 2- a 5- a 3. Just a disservice.

would be a copy of like Oceans 11 but I as wrong on some many levels. I am happy to say that Focus is very much it's own movie. Forget about After Earth because really that was a movie made to target a younger audience. This movie is the first showing of what the grown up version of Will Smith looks like. He's daring and cunning all with the same charisma he has always had. There is no need to ask anymore if Will Smith can act. He did a movie that was not in his comfort level and he nailed it proving that Will Smith is not this ghost of a man that does not exist, but he is very real and he continues to grow as an actor. I am convinced that any movie starring Will Smith is worth watching. I hate Wild Wild West but somehow I watch it every time it comes on TV because Will Smith will reel you in not matter how much you try to get away.

age and be still got it! Worth every penny.

and charming as ever. This is an excellent comeback after the disasters that were After Earth and Winter's Tale. So in all this was a very good film and you should definitely check it out.

Orleans Super Bowl tourist crowd of more than one million dollars of their money, jewelry and credit cards. Jess is a quick learner and it's not long before she's one of Nicky's top scammers, it's also not long before the sexual chemistry between the two ignites and they become lovers. However, for Nicky, that's an emotion that a con man can do without. He unceremoniously breaks ties with Jess, who has obviously fallen in love with him. Three years past and Nicky is working on a new scam that could net him millions, when in walks Jess on the arms of the man whom Nicky is working his con. Seeing Jess again has triggers feeling inside Nicky that he has subjugated all his life. He loses his focus and becomes consumed with thoughts of Jess. With millions on the line, as well as his life if he's caught, the last thing he wants is to fall in love. However, it soon becomes the only thing he desires.While Smith has the charm necessary to play a charlatan, it's Margot Robbie who steals the film. Robbie's Jess is the game changer; her emotional roller coaster is the ride that keeps us in suspense. Robbie has the smoldering sex appeal of the old school Hollywood movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe or Jane Russell. Her presence on screen often upstages Smith, and while the story is Nicky's, it's Jess who has won our hearts and in whose story we've become invested.Smith's performance isn't bad, in fact his somber, "good guy" persona is what makes him a credible con artists who wouldn't trust that face? . However, in a film as slick and sexy as this, he often comes off as too subdued, almost dull. You can almost picture smoother actors such as Denzel Washington, Lawrence Fishburne or Terrance Howard having better control of the character. Had Smith or directors Glen Ficarra or John Requa decided to make use of Smith's endearing wit or street charms, I feel the film would have had the prerequisite fire and edge to make it a classic. All in all, Smith still manages to pull off an admirable performance and with Robbie, creates a high-class film, filled with enough suspense, action and twists to keep audiences entertained.

original and unique in that way. In fact, you think the movie is going in one way but twists and turns happen because obviously it's a conman movie so it moves in all kind of ways and things are happening back and forth; and all of this because of the structure which is very very different than the usual 3 acts type of movie. However, the emotional core of the film is broken from time to time and it's a little bit hard to grasp as you don't know what the characters are thinking and how they'll react, but for the most part it's a plus. We're thrown in the middle of this world of conning and conmen which is pretty interesting. The hopes are high. Focus feels like a twisty and strange Ocean 11 with a little bit of drama in it and little bit less fun and silly part. Finally, for the first half of the movie it might have been similar to Ocean 11 and then in the second act it feels more as a sequel to the first half, dealing with Smith and Robbie relationship. Will Smith and Margot Robbie are both excellent. Smith is charismatic and Margot Robbie isn't just a pretty face, she's a pretty who can act, as she already proved in The Wolf of Wall Street. Overall both of the main characters work well together. The first half of the movie is good, I loved how immersive this movie is into the con world, but the second half try to be so clever that it overreaches and slows down a bit.

multiple twists as a turn off for some expecting a deeper film but if you know what you're in for I think the multiple twists in the film's final act will one-after-another bring a smile to your face and even have you laughing. Will Smith harnesses his charm to success in this flick and Margot has effectively proved herself as not being a one-hit-wonder. This is not a bad film, though I do believe your enjoyment hinges on your expectations when going into it. Don't expect the next Ocean's 11, expect a charming, funny, well acted, smartly written, hustle movie that will undoubtedly be drowned out by mixed reviews from people expecting gold and can't appreciate really good silver.

The players con their marks, one another and the audience with finesse and aplomb. The cinematography, choreography and editing are crisp. The reveals are plausible within the film's cosmos of reality. The romantic comedy is not bad. One can understand and believe the attraction between the two characters. Will Smith's character is hunky, clever, confident, successful and wealthy. Margot Robbie's character is gorgeous, sexy, vulnerable, clever and charming. But the major plot points in this boy finds girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl back subplot seem contrived, while the intriguing aspect of their relationship How can two con artists with a history of deceiving one another learn to trust one another? isn't explored in a satisfactory manner. Instead we get a breakup for reasons that are never explained, a repeated gag involving a wallet, and a massive coincidence that leads the audience to believe one of them has a hidden agenda involving the other. The relationship between them works best when they are conning one another, but it needs resolution. Technically, the film is beautifully done. Cinematography, locations, wardrobe, make-up, editing, audio -- everything is polished. It's a movie that merits a second or third viewing, not only to see the cons played out, but also to appreciate some of the subtle foreshadowing.