Armored 2009

In this gritty tale of betrayal and redemption, Ty Hackett (Columbus Short), a war-weary veteran haunted by his Iraq War experiences, toils away at a security firm that provides armored vehicles. His only solace is his young brother Jimmy, who’s struggling in school. As Ty navigates the complexities of his job alongside colleagues Mike Cochrane (Matt Dillon) and Baines (Laurence Fishburne), he’s introduced to Chief Ashcroft (Fred Ward), the no-nonsense leader of personnel. On Ty’s first assignment, Mike and Baines stage a mock robbery, inducting him into their world with a mix of humor and menace.

As Ty’s personal life begins to unravel, with the threat of repossession hanging over his head like a Sword of Damocles, he finds himself drawn into a web of deceit. A chance encounter with Mike at a bar yields a tantalizing glimpse into the world of high-stakes robbery, as Mike reveals details about a notorious $4 million heist that left authorities stumped.

The stakes are raised when Ty’s house is threatened with repossession and child services becomes increasingly aggressive in pursuing custody of Jimmy. Desperate to avoid bloodshed, Ty finds himself entwined in Mike’s plan to steal $42 million during their next assignment. The fateful day arrives, and two trucks carrying the gang - including Quinn (Jean Reno), Palmer (Amaury Nolasco), and Dobbs (Skeet Ulrich) - converge on a bank.

As they begin unloading the loot at an abandoned mill, the group is startled by the presence of a vagrant who’s been watching them. In a split second, Baines takes the man’s life, leaving Ty reeling in shock. As tensions escalate, Ty becomes convinced that he must escape the gang’s clutches and clear his conscience.

The turning point arrives when the gang decides to eliminate Ty, framing him as a hero who sacrificed himself to save their lives. Dobbs, however, refuses to go along with the plan, secretly attempting to aid Ty before being brutally silenced by Palmer.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Eckehart stumbles upon the scene and is convinced that all is well until Ty sounds the alarm once more, using pocket batteries to prolong the siren’s wail. Baines shoots Eckehart in the stomach, and the gang drags him away as chaos erupts. Amidst the mayhem, Ty seizes his chance, sneaking out of the truck to set the stolen money ablaze and create a diversion. He then rescues Eckehart, whisking him away to safety within one of the armored vehicles.

As Quinn embarks on a daring mission to snatch Jimmy away, Ty takes drastic measures to thwart his plans. From the shadows, he cleverly conceals the windows of their hideout with a makeshift barrier constructed from an astonishing amount of cash bills, before sneaking out through a hidden panel and ascending to the rooftop in an attempt to make contact with law enforcement authorities. Unbeknownst to Ty, Palmer is hot on his heels, driven by a burning sense of guilt that refuses to be extinguished after having taken Dobbs’ life.

Meanwhile, Quinn’s kidnapping operation has yielded results, as he returns with Jimmy in tow. However, this development only serves to escalate the situation further, as Mike, fueled by rage and a thirst for vengeance, brandishes his gun and threatens to end Jimmy’s life. In a bold move, Ty springs into action, flinging open the doors of their armored truck and allowing Palmer to apprehend him. The ensuing chaos is soon compounded by an explosion that rocks the vehicle, sending Quinn and Baines flying from the wreckage as Mike narrowly avoids being caught in the blast.

Ty seizes the opportunity to whisk Jimmy away and flee the scene, leading Palmer on a merry chase as he desperately attempts to evade his pursuer. As the situation reaches its climax, Ty finds himself face-to-face with the sheriff’s car, only to be brutally rammed by Mike’s armored truck. Undeterred, Ty makes his escape on foot, pursued by the relentless Mike in hot pursuit.

As the chase culminates in a dramatic showdown, Ty spots an abyss in the road and makes a daring leap of faith, landing safely below as Mike’s vehicle careens into the hole, resulting in its destruction. With Mike’s demise confirmed, Ty walks away from the wreckage, his heart heavy with the weight of having saved yet another life.

In the aftermath, Ty pays a visit to the hospital, where he is greeted by the reassuring sight of Sheriff Eckehart recovering from his ordeal. Ashcroft emerges, revealing that the sheriff has shared the tale of Ty’s heroics and hinting at the possibility of a reward for his bravery.