Most critics find Entrapment a disappointing heist thriller, with scattered pleasures rather than sustained suspense. Praise centres on individual robbery sequences, moments of tension and wry humour, though there is little agreement about how much these redeem the film. The first heist’s build-up and a high-rise daredevil sequence receive particular approval. Variety gives Connery and Zeta-Jones much of the credit for keeping the caper watchable, finding their performances magnetic despite the contrived plotting.
The reservations cluster around implausibility, familiarity and a story that loses momentum after a promising setup. The reviews range from qualified enjoyment to outright boredom, with none offering an unreserved recommendation. Radio Times finds the mechanical robbery scenes effective and the film entertaining; other critics find too little suspense to overlook the silliness. Eye for Film also rejects the leads’ performances, directly opposing Variety’s main source of praise. Two partially accessible reviews leave some verdicts less firmly established.