Las Vegas is the backdrop for this crime-action, drama. It’s going to be a long night. Vincent Downs (Jamie Foxx) and his partner Sean Cass (Rapper T.I.) decide to steal cocaine from the wrong guys. In a parallel story, Downs is divorced from his wife and has pretty much been an absentee father for the past couple of years while he is secretly working deep undercover. Shortly after the heist, Downs picks up his son Thomas (Octavius Johnson) to take him to a soccer game. Unfortunately, the bad guys are upset about their cocaine and rip Thomas right out of Downs’ car. After his son is kidnapped, the sleepless night begins as Downs races against the clock to save his son. In yet another story line, Jennifer Bryant (Michelle Monaghan of Eagle Eye), is just trying to do her job. Convincing the department shrink that she has mentally recovered after being beaten in a drug deal gone bad, Bryant is on a mission to prove herself against the doubters on the force. Her mission? To uncover the corrupt cops.

The cast is rounded out with Dermot Mulroney, whose character alternates between a tough entrepreneur and a sniveling wimp. Scott McNairy plays Rob Novak and David Harbour plays Dennison. Worthy acting, but nothing really outstanding.

Great movie moments

Jamie Foxx seems to have found his calling in the action movie genre. Rippling muscles with a tough guy exterior and just the right amount of humor. Considering Foxx started his career as a comedian, he is pretty credible in the drama / action roles.

There are several “edge of the seat” moments and if it weren’t for the fact that there were other patrons in the theater, you’d be on the edge of your seat yelling out to the characters. RUN! Get out of there!

Not so great movie moments

You can take the man out of the comedy, but you can’t take the comedy out of the man. Unfortunately, the humor falls short several time during the movie. Was that supposed to be a funny joke?

Despite the fact that Sean Combs was supposed to be a major target for Downs, the character is oddly absent from most of the movie.

The dialogue often seems forced. Michelle Monaghan’s use of profanity is enough to make you squirm in your chair. Her normal, sweet demeanor just doesn’t easily translate to tough lady cop. In fact, the dear in the headlights look often distracts from the seriousness of the dialogue.

Overall it feels like they may have sent too many scenes to the cutting room floor to bring the movie in at 95 minutes. Often leaving me thinking, “where did that come from?” I think another 30 minutes or so would have helped the dialogue seem less stiff and scene jumping to appear less glaring.

Sleepless is a mix of Die Hard with Bruce Willis and Run all Night with Liam Nelson, just a more watered down version.

Predictable in many of the action sequences, you know the good cop is going to be tricked by the bad cop, posing to be a good cop.

There were no real high-tech action scenes. Even the party-goers running out the nightclub was like something out a bad 1958 horror movie.

One thing I didn’t think about until after I walked out of the movie theatre…why was the movie called Sleepless? It happened over the period of one evening, nothing more profound. In fact, I’m sure more creative minds could have come up with something more fitting.

Overall, I give the movie 2 out of 5 stars. Sleepless is a must-see, but definitely wait for DVD.

Details:

Director: Baran Oder. Who? Perhaps in the hands of a more seasoned director this could have been a more vibrant and exciting film.
Run Time: 95 minutes
Rating: R… plenty of violence. A disturbing scene injuring a 16 year old. Language. Everyone does, however, remain fully clothed.

I paid for this ticket with my own funds and have not been compensated for this review.