The State Hornet’s Fall 2001 Movie Reviews
Image: The State Hornet’s Fall 2001 Movie Reviews::
November 28, 2001
Read the most recent reviews below, and check out the links to past reviews to the right.
Previous Movie Reviews by The State Hornet:
November 28
November 14
Kline divine in well-made ?House?
November 6
October 31
October 17
?Mulholland Drive? delivers dream-like imagery
October 10
October 8
October 3
An American Rhapsody and Zoolander
September 26
September 12
Ghost World, The Deep End, Jeepers Creepers, and O
. . . .
Reviewed by Ryan Flatley
State Hornet
Every relationship is built upon a foundation of compromise, and “Spy Game” is the perfect film to go see with your significant other. Women will be able to ogle over Robert Redford and Brad Pitt if the plot isn?t their thing, and men will be able to watch an intense action film directed by “Top Gun?s” Tony Scott.
Redford stars as CIA spy Nathan Muir, who is on the eve of retirement when he learns that one of his recruits, Thomas Bishop (Pitt) has been arrested for espionage in China. Muir has 24 hours to save his friend before the Chinese government executes Bishop. Much of the film concentrates on Muir recounting past operations he and Bishop have run together. The plot takes the audience to Vietnam, where Muir and Bishop first meet one another, to East Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall and to war-torn Beirut, battling terrorists.
Despite the fact that the film stars two of Hollywood?s biggest actors, there is no doubt that this is Redford?s film. His performance is subtle and reserved throughout most of the film. Occasionally he lapses into standard leading-man fare, tossing over-the-shoulder quips at his enemies, but he is always effective at portraying a man measuring the choices he has made as he prepares to retire.
Pitt once again gets down-and-dirty in another role not typically associated with an uber-celebrity. Bishop spends most of the film covered with dirt, carrying out missions devised by Muir. After his roles in “Fight Club” and “Snatch,” Pitt seems to be at home playing anti-heroes, and his performance in this film shows that he is evolving into an actor to be taken seriously. Though he has limited screen time and dialogue, the young, idealistic Pitt provides an excellent compliment to the older and pragmatic Redford. Don?t look for glamour shots from Pitt, but do expect to see him spending a significant amount of time beaten and bloodied.
Scott reinforces the feeling of desperation for both characters by keeping the pace of the film fast, though sometimes he goes a little overboard. Many of the shots pan, push or pul to the point of motion sickness for the audience. “Spy Game” is a big studio film that provides nothing that hasn?t been seen before, but the skill and precision with which the film is made makes it worth the time and money to go see.
3.5 out of four stars.