Director Eastwood’s last four films have revolved around real people. The 15:17 to Paris makes five-in-a-row. The movie had an early Digital release on May 1. The Blu-ray combo pack and DVD debuts on May 22.
Eastwood’s film career spans over 60 years.
TRUE
All it takes is one moment.
The 15:17 to Paris is the story of three young Americans, how they grew up and became friends. They travel through Europe. They board a train to Paris. A terrorist is on board. There is no doubt what he had in mind.
Those three Americans are U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone. Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler. They will have August 21, 2015, seared into their memories. They turned their experience into a book too. The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes. (Jeffery E. Stern gave some writing help.)
The book offered extra inspiration for the film. The 15:17 to Paris made $56 million worldwide. It didn’t grab the attention of many.
When you compare the last two Clint Eastwood movies, there's a difference. There’s American Sniper with over $547 million worldwide. It also the biggest film of Mr. Eastwood’s entire career. Sully grossed over $240 million.
The 15:17 to Paris did offer a spark with Eastwood’s bold casting choices. There were no big-names to board the train to Paris. Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler, portrayed themselves.
Jenna Fisher, Judy Greer, Ray Corasani, PJ Byrne, Tony Hale and Thomas Lennon, all pop up in small roles. Paul-Mikel Williams, Bruce Gheisar and William Jennings are the kid versions of the heroes.
VERDICT
Would I buy this film? Not at full price. It's kind of like a rainy day selection.
There's always been something to a Clint Eastwood movie. I think no matter what, I would have found a way to see The 15:17 to Paris.
TRUE
All it takes is one moment.
The 15:17 to Paris is the story of three young Americans, how they grew up and became friends. They travel through Europe. They board a train to Paris. A terrorist is on board. There is no doubt what he had in mind.
Those three Americans are U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone. Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler. They will have August 21, 2015, seared into their memories. They turned their experience into a book too. The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes. (Jeffery E. Stern gave some writing help.)
The book offered extra inspiration for the film. The 15:17 to Paris made $56 million worldwide. It didn’t grab the attention of many.
When you compare the last two Clint Eastwood movies, there's a difference. There’s American Sniper with over $547 million worldwide. It also the biggest film of Mr. Eastwood’s entire career. Sully grossed over $240 million.
The 15:17 to Paris did offer a spark with Eastwood’s bold casting choices. There were no big-names to board the train to Paris. Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler, portrayed themselves.
Jenna Fisher, Judy Greer, Ray Corasani, PJ Byrne, Tony Hale and Thomas Lennon, all pop up in small roles. Paul-Mikel Williams, Bruce Gheisar and William Jennings are the kid versions of the heroes.
VERDICT
Would I buy this film? Not at full price. It's kind of like a rainy day selection.
There's always been something to a Clint Eastwood movie. I think no matter what, I would have found a way to see The 15:17 to Paris.
It is an amazing true story. But the delivery isn’t solid. It is not Clint Eastwood at his best. The film still gets a passing mark.
The PG-13 movie has a very laid-back quality. It almost feels like a documentary. Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler are not actors, which is obvious at times, but fine. Points to them for even doing it.
The fact they are not actors though…could also be the whole point.
The PG-13 movie has a very laid-back quality. It almost feels like a documentary. Stone, Skarlatos and Sadler are not actors, which is obvious at times, but fine. Points to them for even doing it.
The fact they are not actors though…could also be the whole point.
They were regular guys and they were swept up in an incredible moment.
Parts of the lead-up to the train ride are not exciting to watch. The trip in Europe has conversations centered on pictures, and selfie sticks. And food and travel plans.
The train sequence only fills a handful of minutes in a 94-minute time frame. It is tense though and instantly grabs the attention. (Mark Moogalian, and his wife, Isabelle Risacher Moogalian play themselves on film. Mark was shot during the real event.)
The story has a curiosity factor to watch. The people on the train who helped out, deserve a lot of credit - not only the three Americans.
I wouldn’t put it high on the list of Clint Eastwood movies.
SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW
Making Every Second Count (8 minutes, 11 seconds)
- Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler give their own spin on what happened on the train. The intriguing part was the input from Mark Moogalian and his wife, Isabelle Risacher Moogalian. They were on the train.
Portrait of Courage (12 minutes)
- Director Eastwood and some of his crew discuss the filming process. They had actually auditioned real actors for the roles. Mr. Eastwood surprised everybody - including the three heroes - by putting them in their own movie. Nobody called the train sequence as acting. It was ‘reliving’ the experience to being cathartic to some.
Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
Parts of the lead-up to the train ride are not exciting to watch. The trip in Europe has conversations centered on pictures, and selfie sticks. And food and travel plans.
The train sequence only fills a handful of minutes in a 94-minute time frame. It is tense though and instantly grabs the attention. (Mark Moogalian, and his wife, Isabelle Risacher Moogalian play themselves on film. Mark was shot during the real event.)
The story has a curiosity factor to watch. The people on the train who helped out, deserve a lot of credit - not only the three Americans.
I wouldn’t put it high on the list of Clint Eastwood movies.
SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW
Making Every Second Count (8 minutes, 11 seconds)
- Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler give their own spin on what happened on the train. The intriguing part was the input from Mark Moogalian and his wife, Isabelle Risacher Moogalian. They were on the train.
Portrait of Courage (12 minutes)
- Director Eastwood and some of his crew discuss the filming process. They had actually auditioned real actors for the roles. Mr. Eastwood surprised everybody - including the three heroes - by putting them in their own movie. Nobody called the train sequence as acting. It was ‘reliving’ the experience to being cathartic to some.
Warner Brothers Home Entertainment
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