Criminal (2016) is an American action thriller directed by Ariel Vromen, with a screenplay by Douglas Cook and David Weisberg. The film stars Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones, who reunite for the second time since their collaboration on JFK. The movie blends intense action with psychological drama, following the story of a dangerous criminal who is implanted with the memories of a deceased CIA agent to prevent a global catastrophe.

The plot of Criminal follows Jerico Stewart (Kevin Costner), a violent and mentally unstable criminal on death row. When CIA agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) is killed while investigating a plot to sell military secrets, his memories are transferred into Jerico’s brain. This procedure allows Jerico to access Pope’s memories, which includes valuable information about a cyber-terrorist threat. As Jerico starts to experience Pope’s memories, he is drawn into a race against time to prevent a disaster, all while struggling to control his violent tendencies and adapting to the new memories.

Kevin Costner plays Jerico Stewart, a character who is far from a typical hero. Jerico is a hardened criminal with a violent past, and much of the film focuses on his internal struggle as he grapples with the implanted memories of Bill Pope. Costner’s portrayal of a man conflicted between his criminal instincts and the sense of duty he acquires through Pope’s memories is a central element of the film’s emotional core. Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones, who play CIA officials, add a sense of gravitas to the story, portraying characters who must decide how far they are willing to go to stop the looming threat, while also dealing with the ethical questions raised by the memory implant procedure.

One of the primary themes of Criminal is the concept of identity. The film explores the idea of what makes someone who they are—whether it is their memories, their actions, or their choices. Jerico’s transformation from a ruthless criminal to a man with a purpose raises important questions about morality and the human capacity for change. The moral implications of implanting someone else’s memories are also explored, as Jerico is forced to navigate the fine line between his own past and the moral responsibility he inherits from Pope.

As expected from an action thriller, Criminal delivers intense, high-octane sequences that keep the audience engaged. From shootouts to car chases, the film doesn’t shy away from its action roots. However, the film also focuses on psychological tension, making the action sequences even more impactful. Jerico’s struggle to control Pope’s memories and the race to stop a cyber-terrorist plot create a compelling blend of physical action and mental conflict, which is heightened by the ticking clock of the imminent threat.

In conclusion, Criminal is an action-packed thriller that combines heart-pounding sequences with a deep exploration of memory, identity, and morality. Kevin Costner’s strong performance as Jerico Stewart anchors the film, and the reunion of Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones brings additional depth to the story. While the film’s premise is both intriguing and high-concept, it also raises important questions about the ethics of memory manipulation and the possibility of redemption. For fans of action films with a psychological twist, Criminal provides an entertaining, thought-provoking ride.