A High-Octane Heist Caper
Summary
Tyrese Gibson shines in this gripping heist movie which is a story about fathers and sons, set within the timeframe of the LA riots. It has plenty of action in the second half including shoot-outs and fights, but for me I was really involved with the characters and the story making this well worth checking out.
Plot: Mercer is desperately trying to rebuild his life and his relationship with his son amid the turbulent Los Angeles riots in 1992. Across town, another father and son put their own strained relationship to the test as they plan a dangerous heist where Mercer works. As tensions continue to rise in the city, both families reach their boiling points when they collide.
Review: Set around the LA riots after the Rodney King beating, 1992 is also a heist movie while most importantly it’s a tale of fathers and sons.
Tyrese Gibson plays Mercer, an ex-con trying to go straight while also raising his son to not turn out like him. This movie is also Ray Liotta’s last role and as ever he didn’t disappoint as he plays the father to Scott Eastwood’s Riggin and Dylan Arnold’s Dennis. Liotta and co. are thieves who plan to rob a metal plant of its $10 million dollars worth of platinum. When the riots begin it’s the perfect cover for them to do the job, but they didn’t expect Mercer to show up and be a spanner in the works.
1992 is at its core a generic heist caper, but what elevates it are the performances especially from Tyrese who gives one of his best to date. He genuinely will do anything for his son and wants what’s best for him, so we are rooting for him all the way.
Eastwood’s character is interesting as he has a troubled relationship with his dad, but it’s no wonder as his father is in fact a complete psychopath. We are never quite sure which way Eastwood will go which keeps things interesting.
At 95 minutes long, 1992 moves at a seat gripping pace as we have the escalating riots building up the tension. Then in the second half is when the action really kicks in and we get several shoot-outs and a few fight scenes too. It never loses the heart of the characters which is why we stay invested in the story.
Overall, 1992 is a gripping heist movie with Ray Liotta at his psychotic best and Tyrese Gibson giving one of his finest performances to date. There is also enough action to keep things moving, so, by the time you reach the end credits you should have had an intense ride.