Part New Jack City, part Heist, but with one of the pinache, this cops-and-robbers caper is the first big surprise of 2018.

Gerard Butler’s career is resurrected in his first great role since Law Abiding Citizen nearly a decade ago. He’s smug, loathsome and brutal as corrupt cop Nick O’Brien.

He gives chase to a motley crew of criminals, comprised lesser-known actors, most notably 50 Cent, who somehow manages a compelling performance here.

He’s joined by Pablo Schreiber, who is chilling and convincing as gangster Merriman. If you’re wondering where you remember him from, he infamously played a prison guard nicknamed Porn Stache in Orange Is the New Black.

Schreiber turns in the best performance of the lot here, and it’s one that should get him in front of more screens near viewers soon.

O’Shea Jackson — son of Ice Cube — was only known for playing his father in biopic Straight Outta Compton, but he shows emotional range and depth here.

This flick doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but it’s a hell of a good time.

3.5/5 Stars