Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- witty
- propulsive
- action movie night
- comedy double feature
What critics said
Critics generally found Jamie Foxx charismatic and the action-comedy energy enjoyable, but judged the music-video-influenced style and formulaic, implausible script to be significant weaknesses.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Clenteen implants a tracking device in Alvin's jaw and releases him while spreading the claim that he knows where the stolen gold is hidden.
The surveillance scheme, hidden gold mystery, and Alvin's repeated criminal mishaps drive an exaggerated action-comedy register.
Alvin decides to go straight after learning that Lisa has given birth to their son, but his brother and the bait operation keep pulling him back into danger.
The stolen forty-two-million-dollar gold reserve drives Clenteen's investigation, Bristol's search, and the manipulation of Alvin.
Films like Bait, and why
The Last Boy Scout
action comedy built around a reluctant criminal manipulated by law enforcement in an implausible pursuit
Blue Streak
fast-paced crime caper combining undercover law enforcement, banter, and explosive set pieces
Money Talks
buddy-oriented action comedy with a criminal protagonist and broad comic energy
The Negotiator
stylized late-1990s crime action with competing criminals and investigators chasing stolen money
Movie Details
- Director
- Antoine Fuqua
- Release Date
- 2000-09-15
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (224)
Cast
- Jamie Foxx
- David Morse
- Robert Pastorelli
- Doug Hutchison
- Kimberly Elise
- David Paymer
- Mike Epps
- Jamie Kennedy
- Nestor Serrano
- Kirk Acevedo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bait about?
- A small-time New York thief becomes an unwilling tracking device and decoy in a chaotic hunt for stolen Federal Reserve gold.
- What is Bait like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bait as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Bait violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Bait as moderate.
- What did critics think of Bait?
- Critics generally found Jamie Foxx charismatic and the action-comedy energy enjoyable, but judged the music-video-influenced style and formulaic, implausible script to be significant weaknesses.
- Which films are like Bait?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Boy Scout, Blue Streak, Money Talks, and The Negotiator.
- How long is Bait?
- Bait runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bait?
- In United States, Bait streams on Starz Apple TV channel.
