Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

XanderDevil Despite its flaws, I love this movie. I must have watched this movie 2 dozen times over the years. It's a B-movie whose plot does not make sense. The things I like about this movie are the chemistry between actors/characters and the film noir mood of the movie. This is a conspiracy movie that has a lot of smoke screens. It is best not to make sense of the plot of this movie as it would require a significant suspension of disbelief. There's a conspiracy/mystery, some characters try and do "resolve" it, and then there's a "satisfying" resolution at the end.Overall, I would recommend it to people just to pass the time.

Richie-67-485852 Travolta has always been able to carry a picture and got better with time and maturity. Here he does his "thing" with ease as a true professional would and it ends up being entertaining. Add a good story, decent directing throw in some twists, turns, thrills and suspense and you got a movie that takes you captive and wont let go until the end and I am speaking the very end too. What a nice ride and treat for the movie viewer. Good movie to snack with (they did a donut scene) and have a tasty drink too. Basic? Far from it. How about "you got me" and thank you

antonjsw1 I hoped that with a dream team cast of John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson, who both tore up the screen on 'Pulp Fiction', that this film would be home run director John McTiernan. However, the overall impact of the film is one that is reasonably entertaining, it does not come close to any of McTiernan's previous films and would be best described as 'solid, but could do better'.The plot tries to be too clever, resulting in the impact that the climax feels a bit of a cheat. It is logical at one level, but feels like the audience is manipulated one step too far. You certainly have to pay attention to keep on top of what is going on, otherwise you'll get lost in the convolutions of twist after twist after twist. Also, because the experience of the film doesn't pull you along viscerally (for example Inception), you are forced into having to pay attention. This has the effect of making the viewer more detached and less involved with the characters, none of which you really empathise or connect with over the length of the story, as your brain is busy figuring out the machinations of the plot. This is despite some very charismatic performances by Jackson and Travolta, which for me were the only real strong positives in the film. It is just that the feel and atmosphere of the film doesn't allow you to connect with them on a deeper and more visceral level as the focus is on the journey of the plot, and not that of the characters within the story. Technical credits are solid. Steve Mason's photography is much better this time round than it was on Rollerball, though I wonder if some of McTiernan's previous collaborators might have done a better job. Certainly McTiernan's directing this time around is much more assured, with the clever use of Ravel's Bolero in the music's soundtrack. Otherwise though, it is nowhere near engaging as any of his previous films with the obvious exception of the mess that was Rollerball. Overall this a solid, unspectacular and unmemorable film. If you pay attention and persevere with the plot, you will get some enjoyment from watching it, even if the end feels a bit of a cheat. It clearly isn't the best movie in the procedural thriller genre, but neither is it a poor one - there have been plenty worse. I hope that now released from prison, McTiernan will be able to get hold of projects that will be able to fully showcase his talents, and if someone like Terrence Malick is anything to go by, that a ten year plus hiatus from film-making should be no barrier to McTiernan producing films at the level of his past best.

edwagreen This film is not exactly "Rashomon" of 1951.Samuel L. Jackson portrays a vicious sergeant who really takes it out on one of his officers. Set in Panama during a hurricane, this film depicts what has occurred during a training session.Several different versions attempt to explain what has happened to Jackson and some of the recruits on this session.John Travolta portrays a DEA agent who had left the army as an interrogator. Every time that Travolta, who has been called back to interrogate, seems to find answers, there are still more and more questions posed to him and the rest of the cast.Is there an honorable person? This is what the film tries to prove as we learn about drug dealing among the various cartels in the area.The ending is absolutely ridiculous. You just can't trust anyone.