Every few years, someone will make a movie with a nod to "Manchurian Candidate" and frankly, I dig these types of movies.
However, the plot in this one is very convoluted and requires too many working parts to move and ultimately having the resolution be something as dumb as a mean conspirator lean in too close to the hero to exposit the plan.
Dumb trope, yes.
But look, Gene Hackman plays a great military personality. As Sgt. Gallagher, whom his men refer to as "Top", we see a lifer soldier who still believe in the Red, White And Blue. Enter career screwup Boyette, played by Tommy Lee Jones, whose disgust and cynicism for the military draws him into a soldier's skepticism to politics (he isn't exactly wrong here). Also leading the charge is a "dark ops" colonel played the snakiest of snakes by John Heard. His reasoning for his actions ring true as well. Though, because Top is a career employee, sometimes the reasoning falls on deaf ears.
To me, the entire thing is complicated. And, honestly, ahead of its time. Andrew Davis is a fantastic director. Always loved "Under Siege" and "The Fugitive" and is very underrated when it comes to staging action. It's most likely because he isn't flashy like the Scott Brothers. But lets things look natural.
A lot of times the film is paced very traditionally, which will most likely bore 2021 audiences. But I do like how some of the diabolical plans unfold. There is room to breathe.
Also special love to Joanna Cassidy who exudes sex but isn't sexy. There's no time for that, and bless Davis...he doesn't go down that road. We see she and Top have a history, but that's all we need to know.
And finally Dennis Franz plays a local cop who helps Top. I love seeing him play an incorruptible weary city cop who just does the right thing. Regardless of the risk.
This movie, I would recommend to the under 50 and over 30's audience.
It's a straight forward flick, but I like that it is a valiant attempt at dark ops stories.
However, the plot in this one is very convoluted and requires too many working parts to move and ultimately having the resolution be something as dumb as a mean conspirator lean in too close to the hero to exposit the plan.
Dumb trope, yes.
But look, Gene Hackman plays a great military personality. As Sgt. Gallagher, whom his men refer to as "Top", we see a lifer soldier who still believe in the Red, White And Blue. Enter career screwup Boyette, played by Tommy Lee Jones, whose disgust and cynicism for the military draws him into a soldier's skepticism to politics (he isn't exactly wrong here). Also leading the charge is a "dark ops" colonel played the snakiest of snakes by John Heard. His reasoning for his actions ring true as well. Though, because Top is a career employee, sometimes the reasoning falls on deaf ears.
To me, the entire thing is complicated. And, honestly, ahead of its time. Andrew Davis is a fantastic director. Always loved "Under Siege" and "The Fugitive" and is very underrated when it comes to staging action. It's most likely because he isn't flashy like the Scott Brothers. But lets things look natural.
A lot of times the film is paced very traditionally, which will most likely bore 2021 audiences. But I do like how some of the diabolical plans unfold. There is room to breathe.
Also special love to Joanna Cassidy who exudes sex but isn't sexy. There's no time for that, and bless Davis...he doesn't go down that road. We see she and Top have a history, but that's all we need to know.
And finally Dennis Franz plays a local cop who helps Top. I love seeing him play an incorruptible weary city cop who just does the right thing. Regardless of the risk.
This movie, I would recommend to the under 50 and over 30's audience.
It's a straight forward flick, but I like that it is a valiant attempt at dark ops stories.