Fortunately, once things jump ahead, we see Spencer and Alek make their way into the military (now played by themselves) and things get progressively better. There’s some clunky half-baked commentary on school policy and religious faith, and combined with some equally clunky acting and writing, “15:17’s” first act doesn’t get the film off to a good start. All three have a knack for getting in trouble, and a good deal of time is spent on how Spencer and Alek’s mothers (played by Judy Greer and Jenna Fischer) constantly have to butt heads with school authorities. The payoff is substantial, but the ride to get there is a little bumpy.Īfter a foreboding opening that shows ISIS terrorist Ayoub (Ray Corasani) boarding the train, “15:17” flashes back to 2005, where Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler (played as preteens by William Jennings, Bryce Gheisar and Paul-Mikel Williams) meet and become friends in grade school. The basic idea is that where “15:17’s” third act delivers the action goods, the first 60-70 minutes or so will give enough back story to the three heroes to explain how life prepared them for their heroic deed. The bad news is that the actual altercation is comparatively brief and that in order to get the film’s content out to feature length, things feel … stretched. It’s inspirational, moving and even acted by the real-life participants. The good news is that the heart of Clint Eastwood’s “The 15:17 to Paris” - the true story of how a trio of Americans accosted an ISIS terrorist on a commuter train - is excellent. “THE 15:17 TO PARIS” - 2½ stars - Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Jenna Fischer, Judy Greer PG-13 (bloody images, violence, some suggestive material, drug references and language) in general release
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