the train robbery sequence

My rating: 7

I am not Danny Boyle fan, but I definitely enjoyed this film. It managed to connect with me emotionally as well, which I wasn't expecting. Lots of heart.

What I positively loved most about this movie though was the train robbery sequence narrated by the little boy in the restroom. It was pure escapism.

Best parts:

- the secret meeting in the restroom
- the toy vehicles the narrator uses to tell the story
- the cuts between the toys and the actual vehicles
- the guitar riff heavy Muse music to open the sequence
- the bumbling, puppy like demeanor of the robbers
- the way the robbers are wearing striped black and white shirts and carry bludgeons. This is the exact garb one imagines for robbers as a child.
- how the striped shirts turn out to be part of the plan: allows them to meld in with the soccer fans
- the slight tangent about the soccer score: "disappointing day for the gunners"
- the many intricacies of "the most daring, brilliant, cleverest plan ever!"
- and then..."the money's on the train, the police are drinking tea, where are the robbers?". And music shifts and Matthew Bellamy is singing in an almost operatic falsetto.

Such joy! Such expressed delight in playing the criminal! My favorite piece of cinema from Danny Boyle.