Empire State

If you want action that respects the story underneath it, Empire State is available in the US on Philo and The CW right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 5/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Liam Hemsworth is the obvious draw, but the supporting cast gives the action its context. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Philo.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Empire State is worth clearing space for. Empire State understands that stakes only matter if you care who is at risk. After failing to get into the police academy, Chris Potamitis settles for a security guard job with an armoured truck company. After he makes the mistake of mentioning the company's lax security to his best friend, He's unwittingly drawn into an elaborate scheme to rob the abundant amounts of cash being stored on their premises—resulting in the largest cash heist in U.S.history. Liam Hemsworth and Dwayne Johnson lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2013. What separates Empire State from disposable action entertainment is character work that survives the explosions. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want their entertainment to move fast and not waste a scene, Empire State respects your time. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Liam Hemsworth brings a physicality to the role that elevates every set piece. Action that earns its sequences rather than just delivering them.