Masterminds Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A lovesick armored car driver robs his company for a girl, then gets chased by a hitman who might be his long-lost twin, all while the real mastermind blows the money on a golden toilet.

🍿 Masterminds: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Unlikely Heist Begins

David Ghantt, a bored armored truck driver, is lured into a scheme by his attractive coworker Kelly Campbell and her shady friend Steve Chambers. The plan? To rob the Loomis Fargo vault where David works, netting them millions. David, smitten with Kelly, agrees, seeing it as a chance for adventure and a life with her.

Executing the Plan

David successfully executes the heist, making off with $17 million. He then flees to Mexico with a small cut of the money, relying on Kelly to join him. However, Steve and Kelly have no intention of sharing the wealth or bringing David into their new lavish lifestyle. David is left in Mexico with a fake ID and little cash, unaware he’s been set up.

Double-Cross and Pursuit

Back in North Carolina, Steve and his wife are living large, drawing the attention of the FBI. Meanwhile, Steve hires a hitman, Mike McKinney, to eliminate David in Mexico. David finds himself dodging both the authorities and a bumbling assassin, realizing he’s been betrayed and must find a way to clear his name.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis): A naive armored car driver who gets manipulated into robbing his company due to his infatuation with a coworker.
• Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson): The opportunistic mastermind behind the heist who plans to double-cross David.
• Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig): David’s flirtatious coworker who lures him into the heist scheme at Steve’s urging.
• Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis): The eccentric hitman hired to eliminate David, leading to comedic chaos.
• Jandice (Kate McKinnon): David’s awkward and controlling fiancée, adding to his reasons for wanting to escape his life.
• Scanlon (Leslie Jones): The determined FBI agent investigating the Loomis Fargo robbery and pursuing the perpetrators.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• David Ghantt: “You farted right into my butt hole. It’s like a fart transplant.” – David awkwardly jokes with Kelly about the close proximity they share during a stakeout.
• Steve Chambers: “Alright, Dave, here’s the dealio.” – Steve sets up the heist plan to David
• Kelly Campbell: “I’m gonna be living like a queen.” – Kelly dreams about the riches she will get from the robbery.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,368,022
• Worldwide Gross: $29,674,699

💥 Masterminds Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie not expecting much, and honestly, it was a mixed bag. There were definitely laugh-out-loud moments, especially with Zach Galifianakis’s awkwardness and Jason Sudeikis’s ridiculous hitman character. The whole scene with the bad disguises in Mexico had me cracking up! But overall, it felt a bit uneven, like they were trying too hard sometimes. Still, if you’re in the mood for some silly, low-brow comedy, it’s worth a watch. It is based on real events so that also kept my interests, though I am sure some things were exaggerated to add more comedy. Overall, I’d say it’s a decent rental for a night when you just want to switch your brain off.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Zach Galifianakis”
  • “Viewers who enjoy slapstick comedy”
  • “People interested in true crime stories with a comedic twist”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Some violence”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Masterminds assembles a skilled comedic cast but struggles to consistently deliver laughs. While some moments shine, the film often resorts to low-brow humor that misses the mark. A fun concept, but the execution falters.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite a talented ensemble cast and the intriguing premise of a true-crime comedy, Masterminds never fully clicks. The humor feels forced and predictable, leaving the audience wanting more from such promising material.
• RogerEbert.com: “Though occasionally amusing, Masterminds ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. The cast tries their best with the material, but the script lacks the wit and cleverness needed to elevate it beyond a series of silly gags.

Audience Reactions

The cast chemistry, especially Zach Galifianakis and Jason Sudeikis, made the movie funnier than it had any right to be.: Fans enjoyed the movie for its lighthearted, silly humor, and the comedic performances of the main cast, despite some acknowledging its flaws.

Kate McKinnon stole every scene she was in with her over-the-top portrayal of the fiancée.: Many viewers appreciated the cameos and smaller roles, highlighting the absurdity of the situations and characters.

Overall Consensus: Masterminds is a passable comedy that doesn’t quite live up to its potential, relying on its cast’s comedic talents to carry a somewhat flawed and uneven script.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the real-life Loomis Fargo robbery that occurred in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1997, where $17.3 million was stolen.”
• “Jim Carrey was originally considered for the role of David Ghantt, but Zach Galifianakis was eventually cast.”
• “Filming took place primarily in North Carolina, utilizing locations in Asheville and Charlotte to recreate the setting of the actual events.”

🖥️ How to Watch Masterminds?

Masterminds is available for streaming through various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Masterminds, you might like these similar films:

• Pain & Gain (2013): Based on a true story of incredibly dumb criminals involved in a ridiculous crime.
• Fargo (1996): Dark comedy about a bungled crime and the quirky characters involved, with unexpected violence.
• Dumb and Dumber (1994): Slapstick comedy with dim-witted protagonists getting into absurd situations.
• The Big Lebowski (1998): Cult classic crime comedy featuring eccentric characters and a convoluted plot.

🛒 Masterminds Related Products

• Masterminds (Blu-ray): Own the movie on Blu-ray for extended features and behind-the-scenes content, perfect for fans who want a closer look at the making of the film.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Comedies – Zach Galifianakis as David Ghantt: A collectible Funko Pop! figure of Zach Galifianakis as David Ghantt, capturing his iconic look from the movie. Great for displaying or gifting.
• 1997 Loomis Fargo Robbery: True Crime Documentary: Dive deep into the true story behind Masterminds with a documentary that explores the actual Loomis Fargo robbery, filled with interviews and real footage.

🎧 Soundtrack

Masterminds features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Already Gone” – performed by Heavy Young Heathens
• “Volaré (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)” – performed by Domenico Modugno

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Masterminds Movie CLIP – Engagement Photos (2016) – Kate McKinnon Movie

Want a good laugh? This hilarious scene with Kate McKinnon and Jason Sudeikis from Masterminds is pure comedic gold! Seriously, their engagement photos are ridiculously funny, you have to see it.

Masterminds 2016 Movie Explained | Cinema Soul

Ever watched Masterminds and felt like you missed something? This video breaks down the entire plot, explaining everything in detail. Honestly, it made me appreciate the movie so much more, you should check it out!

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