Bait MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

TV comedian Jamie Foxx lends some humor to this very intense, violent, action-drama. Jamie plays Alvin Sanders, a petty criminal living in New York City. In jail, Alvin meets ailing John Jaster (Robert Pastorelli) who, along with his sadistic partner, Bristol (Doug Hutchison), stole 42 million dollars in gold bricks from a U.S. government gold depository. Tough-talking Federal Investigator Clenteen (David Morse) and his team are determined to recover the gold. Just before Jasper dies, he gives Alvin a message with a clue to where the gold is hidden. Without him knowing it, Clenteen implants a small electronic tracking device in Alvins tooth and turns him loose, counting on Alvins leading him to Bristol. This sets in motion a prolonged sequence of violent, suspenseful, action-filled adventures. The sadistic Bristol even kidnaps Alvins girlfriend (Kimberly Elise) and young son forcing Alvin to assist in finding the gold. Thankfully, Alvins comical quips throughout the film make the intense scenes more bearable. Although very intense and crude, BAIT has plenty of intrigue, suspense, and action which is likely to attract large crowds.

Alvin, as well as most of his friends and relatives, is portrayed as crude talking and irresponsible. At the same time, Jasper and Bristol are also reprobates and, although highly trained technically, Bristol is a sadistic killer and torturer. Rapid-fire obscenities make up a large part of the dialogue, along with profanities and other crudities. Intense, violent action hardly ever lets up, as people are chased and shot at; car chases and crashes abound; hand fighting breaks out often and persons are shot to death. Bristol kidnaps Alvins girlfriend and baby and even blows up their apartment. A graphic sex scene between Alvin and his girlfriend is shown with explicit movements and sounds, but no nudity. Some redeeming values are included, though, as Alvin loves his girlfriend and baby, and risks his life to save them. The government agents also willingly risk their lives to capture the gold thieves. Still, BAIT is another R-rated film with incessant offensive elements.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warners Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522