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I like this movie because it has a great style to it. The story, the action, and the timing of almost everything is perfect. A lot of people would criticize this movie because well for one they think Hugh Jackman as a hacker is just ridiculous (I would agree), the Halle Berry topless scene was her first naked scene and critics say it was "forced" but that's a bunch of baloney, and some people say it's a James Bond type of film just stripped of its humor. It actually does have some moments of humor, you just have to be willing to look deeper and actually know what they're talking about. The 2 guys in the office talking about Hugh's character's ex-wife as a porno star with her porno director husband was just hilarious. Uh... the scene where he meets his daughter is also outstanding, but it always bothers me when I think a character has left something and then it shows up like 10-20 minutes later in the movie. Some claim the tone of the film is basically all about wholesale destruction and gloating stupidity. I disagree. This movie was very intelligent, and very entertaining. Whoever made it was just brilliant, and I'm sure the people who made this movie helped make Paris with Love too... The only problem with that new movie... no Hugh Jackman...Read full review
Like a sword: double-sided blade and sharp edges - or duplicity and recklessness. Like many films nowadays this one breaks with the rules of cinema-ethic: most of the protagonists are bad guys (in a way or another) and get away with it. Here however it can appear disturbingly reckless and cold-blooded at times. Evil is in fashion nowadays. The film gives a good start and grasps all your attention right at the outset, but it runs a little out of puff and recourses to some thrilling-stunt-crutches to keep up near the ending. Travolta is very at ease in this mythic criminal role and brings a suave wiliness to the film. Special wink to Camryn Grimes for her witty noticeable touch. To sum it up, there’s a bit of cheap effects and maybe a lack of substance, but taken as an entertainment most of it is breathtaking.Read full review
The movie moves into full gear as it shifts into reverse and we meet the other players of the film. Hugh Jackman (who continues to impress me) stars as Stanley Jobson, a noble hacker who has been banned from ever going near a computer again. Life is difficult for Stanley as he spent two years at Leavenworth for his crime and that cost him his daughter who then went to his ex-wife (Brea De Matteo) and her porn-producing husband. We also meet Ginger (Halle Berry) who at first seems heaven sent to lure Stanley into making a worm that will crack into a government run bank account. Ginger also has some other secrets that I won’t go into but I will reveal that the rumors of parts of her are absolutely true and I will also tactfully say that they alone are worth the cost of the disc. Gabriel remains the star of the film. He plays a character that is cool, calm and collected even under duress and he is looking for a team of agents who are capable of the same thing. The test he puts Stanley through at the beginning of the film is the stuff that both dreams and nightmares are made of. Don Cheadle also appears in the film, as the Government agent who arrested Stanley before and now knows that something big is up because of Stanley’s reappearance, and he has to decide whether Stanley is friend or foe. I’m gonna skip the plot descriptions here other than what I have already dropped because the film is built in layers. Each layer breaks down a previous layer and then builds it up again. In fact, many critics pointed at this fact as making the film confusing, but I couldn’t disagree more. In fact the film makes perfect sense when you see it at home because you have the chance to observe all the details uninterrupted. The script is well written, the cast does a great job and the action is what you would normally expect from anything involving Joel Silver and Dominic Sena (who directed GONE IN 60 SECONDS which while it wasn’t a good film, it certainly looked like one!) The disc doesn’t disappoint either. The film is presented in widescreen with a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack and both are done very well. (By the way, the defects at the beginning I spoke of were planned) Extras include a full-length documentary by Dominic Sena who provides some great insights into the film. It also includes two features: one on the making of the film and one on the special effects used in the film. The final feature that I was most impressed with was the inclusion of two alternate endings. I was impressed because these endings actually seem like they made a difference in the film. Too often do we see ones that have a few changes in them and they seem more like editing room fodder. These two both change the direction of the film and they look to be shot specifically to throw off any press. Call me kooky, but that’s the kind of stuff that impresses me. Bottom Line: The film was good, the disc was better and the extras made a difference in the film. Chalk this one as a win for Warner Brothers!Read full review
I won't write a long review ... let me just say if you are inclined to watch it, don't be wary; those that gave it a poor review ignored it's entertainment value. I enjoyed the movie. I agree with those who have stated, however, Halle's first foray into partial nudity could have been handled more ... let's say, tastefully. I know they were going for a shock factor, seeing how her character was portrayed. But, I think the scene did her little justice. Still, she did some great acting and so did Travolta. I give it a "B".
Lots of focus on image and a little thin on content but keeps your attention throughout.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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