“Joe? Joe, where are you going?” asked Terry Collins in a panic as Joe Blake hops out of a stolen car parked in front of a bank.

“You said we needed money,” states Joe calmly as he strides toward the bank. “Joe! Not now! Now is not a good time to rob a bank. We are wearing matching uniforms that say `Inmate’ on them,” exclaims Terry as he desperately tries to persuade Joe not to enter the bank.

That scene is a good example of the hilarious dialogues and amusing actions from the characters in director Barry Levinson’s film, “Bandits.” The movie, “Bandits,” is a comic film with an awesome plot, an excellent flow of action and enjoyable characters. “Bandits” is a good film for anyone who wants to laugh out loud and enjoy a good suspenseful story.

The movie stars Bruce Willis as Joe Blake, a strong “knows what he wants” guy; Billy Bob Thornton as Terry Collins, Joe’s hypochondriac partner in crime, and Cate Blanchett as Kate Wheeler, the bored housewife who desires adventure – or at least a husband who will stay at home for once. Terry and Joe are bank robbers who call themselves the “Sleepover Bandits.” They share the dream of owning a casino in Acapulco, Mexico.

Willis portrays Joe Blake as a tough guy with a soft heart . Joe is a guy who knows exactly what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it. However, he does have a charming side that is revealed when he meets Kate Wheeler. On Kate’s first night at the “Bandits” hideout, she begins reciting the Bonnie Tyler hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and Joe joins her. They fall in love. Joe continues to be a man who is out to get what he wants, but Kate brings out the soft side of him.

Billy Bob Thornton is hilarious as the hypochondriac Terry Collins. Thornton’s character is the reason for most laughs heard in the theater. Terry believes that everything is wrong with him. In one scene Terry becomes upset at some laughing prisoners. “I have tennitis! Do you think that’s funny? It sounds like there’s a bell tower ringing in my head”! He mostly talks about his “illnesses” throughout the film and he’s very funny.

Cate Blanchett plays Kate Wheeler as a fun, but unfulfilled woman who desires adventure and a good man who appreciates her. She is introduced in the film when she hits Terry with her vehicle. Kate takes him to the “Bandits” hideout. She ends up falling in love with both men and explains, “Together, you two make the perfect man.”

The plot of “Bandits” is intriguing. The film begins with the ending scene and then flashes back for explanation. The audience is eager to find out why this happened. The “Bandits” are seen being interviewed by a journalist for the show “Criminals at Large” a few minutes into the movie. Throughout the film, portions of the interview are shown as Joe and Terry are about to do the action that is described. This technique makes for a good plot..

Barry Levinson did a fantastic job as director of the film. There are many details in the film that make the audience take notice. This film is definitely a must- see.

The scene where Joe hijacks the cement truck is intense. A few minutes before this transpires, the 1994 Robert Plant and Jimmy Page remake of the Led Zeppelin song “Gallow’s Pole” is heard softly in the background. As the song leads to its climax, the rising action of the scene begins. Joe sees the cement truck, runs over to it and hops up. When Joe takes over the wheel and begins crashing into fences and other objects, the loud portion of “Gallow’s Pole” is heard. That was the most exciting scene.

“Bandits” is a must-see comedy because of the actors’ portrayals of the plausible and lovable characters, the exciting and intriguing plot and the great, skillful direction. Go see it!

*** stars (out of 4)