Set it Off

4 bad-assed women, + 4 big problems = 4 good reasons to rob a bank and kill a few things. This kind of arithmetic only adds up in Hollywood. The four women-who-run-with-guns, Jada Pinkett (Nutty Professor), Queen Latifah (Living Single), Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day), and newcomer Kimberly Elise were superb in their "girlfriend" rolls, particularly Queen Latifah who seems to be the most natural born gun tottin' lesbian car junkie mechanic you'd ever want to meet. These bank robbers are immediately in over their heads, but throw caution to the wind and get unbelievably greedy with--duh--tragic results. The film pretends to celebrate a twisted sense of equality among thieves and criminals as equal opportunity employees (women can now say the f-word and point a gun too). A basic action flick, ultimately, which is a shame considering some of the nice bonding scenes between the actors. Optional. (N. Plympton)