Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so action movie has some violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
S.M.A.R.T. Chase
What's the Story?
In S.M.A.R.T. CHASE, Danny (Orlando Bloom) is a down-on-his-luck security agent who has been responsible for the safe transport of some of the world's most valuable art. His reputation took a hit when a Van Gogh he was transporting was stolen when his security truck was ambushed. Now he's trying to redeem himself by transporting a valuable Chinese vase out of Shanghai, with the help of his Security Management Action Recovery Team. When they are ambushed once again while trying to transport the vase out of the museum, Danny and his team engage in chaotic back-and-forth between those who took the Van Gogh painting and those who are paying them to steal the vase. As the conspiracy is slowly revealed, Danny must find a way to protect those he loves, while also taking full advantage of the opportunity he sees not only to reclaim the vase, but also to take back the Van Gogh painting and restore his reputation.
Is It Any Good?
This doesn't really do much to distinguish itself from other action movies. There are plenty of fight scenes and vehicle chases and plot twists in S.M.A.R.T. Chase, but it never really emerges as anything new or different from movies with similar fight scenes and vehicle chases and plot twists. There's a forced theme of living for today, but it easily gets lost in the complications of the story. It's not a boring action movie, necessarily, but the lack of originality means that it doesn't leave a lasting impression.
As the down-on-his-luck security agent trying to redeem his reputation, Orlando Bloom seems to be doing his best with each line of dialogue and each knockout punch and kick of the bad guys, but the lead character, Danny, still comes off as a cookie-cutter action movie hero. Not even the action really stands out as anything that would leave anyone at the edge of their seat. (Does anyone for even a second think that that priceless vase is going to shatter when it's tossed back and forth?) It starts off with an interesting enough premise, but once it gets going, S.M.A.R.T. Chase just seems to go through all the action movie motions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about action movies. How does the violence and action of S.M.A.R.T. Chase compare to that of other action movies?
How do the different characters view the Van Gogh painting and the vase that have been stolen?
How was product placement used in this movie? Do you think product placement should be allowed in movies, or does it interfere with the enjoyment of the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 4, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : October 2, 2018
- Cast : Orlando Bloom , Leo Wu , Simon Yam
- Director : Charles Martin
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 23, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate