“The further you run from your transgressions, the more exhausted you are when they catch up to you.” This is the message sent in Spike Lee’s newest joint, “Inside Man,” which hit theaters March 23.

Industry heavyweights Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster deliver a truly memorable, edge of your seat, make-you-want-to-rewind and play-it-again type of thriller.

What appears on the surface to be a movie about a genius bank robbery actually plays out as a dynamic plot with broader social significance, and deeper themes boiling just under the surface.

“Inside Man” portrays a familiar world where behind those in power, who all seem to have their hands in the cookie-jar, lays a trail of dirty little secrets. This edgy flick will have audiences asking: ‘who is the real criminal here?’

With “Inside Man,” Director Spike Lee switches up his trademark, indie-abstract, flair and premieres a more conventional style of film making; still flowered with just enough innuendos highlighting the issues of race, corruption, and greed to make it stand out amidst its genre of heist flicks.

Clive Owen (pictured left) plays Dalton Russell, the brilliant criminal who masterminds the robbery of a sophisticated Manhattan bank. Privy to some inside information, with a vendetta to wage, Russell and his crew execute a foolproof heist with much more at stake for the bank’s owner (Christopher Plummer) than some petty cash. To help get his point across, Russell ingeniously incorporates nearly 50 hostages into his foolproof scheme, giving even NYPD’s best a run for their money; pun intended.

Denzel Washington plays Detective Keith Frazier, the hostage interrogator assigned to the high profile case. Frazier strides on the scene in a crisp, cream, pinstriped suit and cocked top hat to match his cool swagger. With wits as sharp as his tongue, this charming detective takes on the challenge with class and in style.

However, looming embezzlement allegations will have audiences questioning whether he is in fact the good cop he comes off as. Since Frazier is filling-in as head detective and in the process of shaking off dishonorable allegations, this job could either ascend him to the pinnacle of his career, or draw the unfavorable spotlight even closer.

Charged with personal incentives, Russell and Frazier come toe-to-toe, one with dirt to expose, and the other with his own character to preserve. The exquisite chemistry complete with exchanges of humor offsetting the mounting tension between the two almost suggests that, under different circumstances, these sharp-witted professionals would make an unstoppable team.

Diplomatic wheeling and dealing turns into tussling when these masterminds discover that they have met their match in one another.

The bank and dozens of helpless hostages are held at the mercy of Russell and his crew. Frazier and the rest of the NYPD are armed and watching closely from the outside. Then in comes the wild card: Jodie Foster, as we’ve never seen her before.

A toned and manicured Foster emerges in a pair of fierce stilettos as the stoic, powerful and fearless femme fatale, Madeline. She is fully equipped to challenge Russell’s smarts, and has a cold swagger that gives Frazier’s a run for his money, all while making more money than the two combined.

Representing the face of bureaucratic crime, the rich, well dressed and well connected, Madeline, is hired by the owner of the bank (Christopher Plummer) to steer the course of the hoist in his favor.

Tension builds more and more as these heavyweight actors face-off from opposite ends of the crime.

Meanwhile, the stereotypical hostages represent the bold flavor of New York City. There is the obnoxious, gum-smackin’, Italian girl from the Bronx, with cleavage bulging from her plunging neckline, the token “black kid,” slanging Ebonics and playing a violent video game called “Kill Dat Nigga,” the frustrated, turban-wearing Sikh who is ruffed up and labeled an “A-Rab” by ignorant white cops and then of course there are the cops who, white and black, possess an heir of superiority and frequently use unethical racial epithets.

“Inside Man” is exciting, relevant and smart. It is guaranteed to have audiences guessing all the way up until the very end, and walking away with their jaws dropped. Even the movie-connoisseur will be tempted to pop it in just one more time.

The all-star cast holds down their end of the bargain. Denzel lovers will once again walk out drooling, Clive Owen fans will fall more deeply in love than before, and well, who knew Jodie Foster cleaned up so nicely?

Rating: 4 out of 4 stars.

Elaine Welteroth can be reached at [email protected]