English actorJason Stathamhas been active since 1998 and is best known for his roles in action films, and one 2008 action thriller remains one of Statham’s best movies.Jason Statham began his careeras a diver and model, and began acting when he met director Guy Ritchie.Statham’s breakout role came in Guy Ritchie’s filmLock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrelswhich introduced Statham to audiences and showed that he has often under-utilized variety.Throughout the 2000s, Statham continued his career in action movies, becoming increasingly popular – though one 2008 movie remains perhaps the pinnacle.

By 2024, Jason Statham has long since established himself as a household name and a certified action star. He is now best known for his roles in theTransportertrilogy,The Expendablesseries, and theFast & Furiousfranchise. However, Statham’s thrillerThe Bank Job, directed by Roger Donaldson, is still one of his best performances and most interesting roles to date,.

Terry Leather with a walkie talkie in The Bank Job

Jason Statham Gives A Great Performance In The Bank Job

Statham Combines Believable Acting With Action

One of Jason Statham’s biggest draws as an actor is that he can reliably deliver an entertaining and action-packed performance, andThe Bank Jobis no exception.The Bank Jobfollows Terry Leather and a team of robbers that he assembles to rob a London bank, not knowing the full story behind the job. The job becomes increasingly fraught as the team becomes entangled with other groups who are also after the contents of the safe deposit box that they stole.

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The Bank Jobis able to combine the action that Statham is known for with the tension and drama of a heist movie. Likewise, Statham’s acting follows this dramatic queue. In contrast to some of Statham’s other action films, which provide lots of memorable sequences with little clear plot,The Bank Jobhas a clear story that allows audiences to sit with the character of Terry Leather for a longer timeand understand the context of the situation, and Statham’s performance brings the character to life.

Jason Statham and Mick Jagger - The Bank Job

Jason Statham Movies Can Fall Down On Their Story, But The Bank Job Doesn’t

The Bank Job Is An Entertaining And Well-Made Heist Thriller

Along with Jason Statham’s performance inThe Bank Job, the movie is a well-made heist-thriller all-around. Part of the reason whyThe Bank Jobis so successful in creating drama and tension throughout the heist is becauseThe Bank Jobis based on a true story.The film is inspired by the events of the 1971 Baker Street Robbery in London, in which the robbers tunneled underground to reach the bank’s vault. WhileThe Bank Joballeges that the contents of the safe deposit box had connections to MI5 and the British royal family, it remains unclear exactly how much is fictionalized.

Though some of Jason Statham’s movies fall down on their stories in favor of adding as many action sequences as possible,The Bank Jobavoids this mistake thanks to its historical basis and its ability to balance action with a narrative arc.

Terry and Martine looking at plans in The Bank Job.

The facts of this historical event, along with a number of events added for dramatic effect, combine to makeThe Bank Joba very entertaining watch. Though some of Jason Statham’s movies fall down on their stories in favor of adding as many action sequences as possible,The Bank Jobavoids this mistake thanks to its historical basis and its ability to balance action with a narrative arc.

Jason Statham Has Only Become A Much Bigger Movie Star Since The Bank Job

Statham Has Been In Some Of The Biggest Action Movies Of The 21st Century

Statham’s performance as Terry Leather can be seen as an indication of what his future performances had in store and a reminder to rewatch his past successes. Over the 16 years since the release ofThe Bank Job, Statham’s career has moved away from the British productions that he initially starred in, toward Hollywood blockbusters. This is evidenced by the fact that, prior toThe Bank Job, Statham acted in only three films that passed the $100 million mark globally, but he has since starred in 15 more that surpassed that mark, including two that have exceeded $1 billion (viaThe Numbers).

All 5 Upcoming Jason Statham Movies Explained

Action movie star Jason Statham has plenty of exciting upcoming thrillers, sequels, and potential franchise starters in the works.

The Bank Jobcame at an interesting point in Statham’s career, as he had already been acting for over a decade and had been in multiple successful movies. However, his star continued to rise exponentially after this performance, and he has since been involved insome of the most profitable action films of the 21st century, particularly in theFast & Furiousfranchise. WhileThe Bank Jobis not necessarily the definitive turning point ofJason Statham’s career, an honor more likely bestowed onThe Expendables, it is a reminder of some of his most impressive acting.

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The Bank Job

Cast

The Bank Job is a heist film where small-time car dealer Terry, played by Jason Statham, is drawn into a daring plan by Martine, a model from his past, to rob a bank. Unbeknownst to the thieves, the heist uncovers secrets involving London’s underworld and British authorities.

The Bank Job Movie Poster with Jason Statham