Bandit has a little bit of everything needed for a crime caper. The movie nonetheless manages to keep viewers entertained with its blend of humour and action, despite the fact that it may not promise to be a strong crime thriller. This film is based on the true account of Gilbert Galvan Jr., who in the late 1980s successfully robbed 59 banks and a jewellery store throughout many Canadian cities. Despite being a criminal movie, Josh Duhamel's charisma steals the show rather than the film's reliance on bullets or strong action scenes. What is surprising about the movie is that, despite his prominent role, Mel Gibson has very little to say. Gilbert Galvan Jr.'s escape from a Michigan low security facility marks the start of "Bandit" in 1984. He runs away to Canada under the guise of a beggar and takes the name Robert Whiteman as the pressure increases. He sells popsicles at first to make ends meet, but when the business fails, he has to look for other sources of revenue. He eventually finds his future wife at a homeless shelter and, in order to support himself and her, turns to bank robbery with the aid of his friend Tommy, a local crime lord.

Bandit provides a thrilling experience, but it fails to captivate the viewer the entire time. There aren't many parts in the movie that would make spectators sit on the tip of their seats, but there are a handful that would cause them to bite their nails or chew their fingers. This can be partly ascribed to the fact that the movie's depictions of robberies are not overly violent or explosive. The film's humourous scenes, especially those that include Whiteman and bank tellers, are what really make it stand out.

The star of Bandit by far is Josh Duhamel. In contrast to his "looting tactics," he gives a real and endearing portrayal as Robert Whiteman, and it is his charisma that steals the show. On the other side, Elisha Cuthbert's portrayal of Andrea, Robert's wife, lacks dimension and significance, acting only as a supporting figure. The biggest letdown, though, is Mel Gibson's portrayal of local mafia boss Tommy Kay. Gibson's abilities are not fully utilised in the movie, and the character has a weak storyline addition. This crime thriller lacks the complex planning sequences found in traditional caper films. The meticulous planning and execution of the bank robberies, which is an essential component in this genre, are not adequately demonstrated in the movie. The movie's pace is also rather sluggish, and at moments it even seems like a made-for-TV movie. Bandit is an entertaining film overall, although it isn't very noteworthy. It's a forgettable movie that is only average in quality.