Awful, 29 Jan 2005

It is: brilliantly shot, typical Mann direction - innovative but subtle, beautiful lighting etc.
It has: a spot on soundtrack - very Miami Vice (no surprise there), if not as subtle as Heat.
It has: an interesting concept, although this is of the "high" variety, which actually means one idea thrashed to within an inch of its life.

It isn't: even vaguely intelligent.
It doesn't have: anything remotely resembling a plot that is credible. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, but this is mostly just plain dumb.
It has: the most ridiculous night club shoot out imaginable, which isn't even funny, just a bit thick. Ludicrous, unsatisfying (because Cruise is Superman and Captain Scarlet rolled into one), and wilfully confusing.
It has: tiresome coincidences, a tedious and cliched finale, Cruise thinking he is the Terminator (he isn't).
It has: yawn inducing standard-issue dumb Feds and a maverick cop who sees what is really going on right from the start. Yes, really: someone thought those two plot devices were good ideas. Original or what?

It is: collossally overrated, both in terms of overall quality, entertainment value and acting performances.

It is: only redeemed in part by the visual direction and soundtrack.

It isn't: Heat.

Tom Cruise is: just Tom Cruise.

It is: remarkably fortunate that all the "hits" are exactly where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be there. You try that with 5 complete strangers in a city the size of LA.

Oh dear.

 Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)