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Post by janntosh on Feb 4, 2021 2:38:35 GMT
a terrific action thriller and one of Tony Scott's best. The film is also known for being ahead of its time and dealing with an issue not many people probably thought about in 1998. Mass surveillance. Will Smith shows of his strengths bringing his charming charisma to his character but also is able to make him human and vulnerable. Gene Hackman provides strong support as a character that could almost be an older version of the character he played in The Conversation. And seriously, the film has a number of noticeable bit players on par with a Robert Altman or Wes Anderson movie including Barry Pepper, Jack Black, Tom Sizemore, Jamie Kennedy, Jason Lee, Seth Green, Gabriel Byrne, Jake Busey, and Jason Robards. Add in the incomparable Jon Voight and you have one jaw dropping cast. of course though the film isn't 100% realistic . Some of the surveillance seems way too over the top even by today's standards, and you've got to laugh at some of the tactics the NSA agents take to bring down their targets including engaging in massive foot and car chases, shooting at them and even searching one's body in broad daylight in front of numerous civilians. Yes this was the pre cell phone era before someone could just whip out a cell phone and record such abuse but still you'd think they would be a little more discreet about it, but it doesn't matter as Tony Scott and his editor keep the film moving with a breakneck pace and kinetic style. One of Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer's best.
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Post by marth on Feb 4, 2021 2:49:31 GMT
I absolutely love this film.
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Post by jcush on Feb 4, 2021 2:55:45 GMT
I like it. Will Smith gives one of his best performances and Hackman is good as always.
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Post by FridayOnElmStreet on Feb 4, 2021 9:00:59 GMT
8/10 Great thriller.
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Post by Hurdy Gurdy Man on Feb 4, 2021 9:32:31 GMT
I haven't seen it but I have seen Eagle Eye.
How similar are the two and how much did the latter directly lift from the former?
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Downey
Junior Member
@hunter
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 497
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Post by Downey on Feb 4, 2021 9:42:28 GMT
It's okay but it gets less impressive with each watch.
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Post by Vits on Feb 4, 2021 13:00:26 GMT
6/10
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Deleted
Deleted Member
@Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2021 13:07:42 GMT
It wasn't bad but Crimson Tide was better
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Post by seahawksraawk00 on Feb 4, 2021 14:51:22 GMT
It's definitely ahead of it's time at it's release. Especially love the set up of the final shootout.
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Post by politicidal on Feb 4, 2021 15:56:17 GMT
It’s good, but it’s not quite one of my favorite Will Smith movies.
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Post by Archelaus on Feb 4, 2021 17:40:18 GMT
I watched it a few months ago, and it was an insanely good political thriller. I was indeed impressed that Will Smith stepped out of his comfort zone and he played a vulnerable everyday man. Gene Hackman was good as ever and I chuckled at the callbacks to The Conversation.
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Post by moviebuffbrad on Feb 4, 2021 20:07:53 GMT
of course though the film isn't 100% realistic . Some of the surveillance seems way too over the top even by today's standards, Even as an 8 year old, the ol' "enhance" scene where they rotate around the camera's actual vantage point and then start rotating around individual objects was fucking crazy. But yeah, underrated movie. I like to think of it as a loose-sequel to The Conversation. It'd kind of weird how young all these NSA guys are, but also cool to see a who's-who of basically every quirky 20-something 90s actor.
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Post by sdrew13163 on Feb 17, 2021 17:00:00 GMT
Watched this for the first time last night and was underwhelmed. It’s well made and entertaining overall, but it doesn’t take itself seriously enough (I blame that on a lackluster lead performance from Smith).
I wish someone else starred - Cruise was supposed to star and I think he would’ve been better. Even Denzel Washington teaming with Scott one extra time would’ve probably been better in my opinion.
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Post by Prime etc. on Feb 17, 2021 17:07:23 GMT
I liked how Gabriel Byrne was used. If one didn't know who starred in it, that red herring could have taken one by surprise.
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Post by lowtacks86 on Feb 17, 2021 18:29:01 GMT
I'm suprised they never made a sequel
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