Our movie today is another 2021 release, which follows an Oceans Eleven formula. It even
makes a sideways compliment to the Ocean’s movies when main character Tom announces to
leader Walter, “you are no Danny Ocean”.
Freddie Highmore plays Tom, a much sought after genius engineering student, now graduating
from Cambridge. He is offered countless jobs, with massive salaries and perks, but accepts
none, as he is an idealist and his interests do not align with corporate ideas. He is however,
intrigued when he receives a cryptic message offering him an opportunity of a lifetime and a
threat to not mess it up.
He is soon introduced to Walter, a lifelong salvage expert. Walter and his team have spent
decades searching for a treasure dating back to 1645 and Sir Francis Drake. They have located
the wreck and treasure off the coast of Spain but before they could escape with the treasure,
Walter and crew were arrested by Spanish customs for piracy.
What does this have to do with Tom? Here’s the stretch you need to accept moving forward.
The treasure is stored in the Bank of Spain which is protected by a device called the “Impossible
Mechanism”, and since Tom is the top engineering genius, Walter sees him as the go to guy to
be able to open the safe.
Now, put aside the fact Walter and crew have never robbed a bank, and now they are targeting
the most secure bank in the world. I know it’s a stretch…. And Tom is going from star sought
after engineer to bank robber? And they must break in and get out in ninety minutes, the
length of a soccer game?
Yes, there are so many “are you kidding me moments”, such as all the chit chat and downtime
when the clock is ticking and they only have ninety minutes for the entire operation And leaving
the ceiling panel off the dome so a bird could fly in, not to mention the biggie of using a zip line
in day light hours to enter thru the dome.
I know it all sounds too far-fetched, and it is, but it isn’t done half bad. There was, I felt a lack of
tension and suspense this type of movie thrives on. The ending is left open for a sequel, but I’m
not sure Freddie Highmore has the draw to head up a multiple movie series based on these
characters.
“The Vault” harmless fun, don’t take it too seriously, is rated C.
As for a beverage, the movie is in Spain, how about a glass of Sangria?
