Day: September 13, 2015

This is yet another example of a movie review being written with a delay from time of viewing to writing – which typically results in a not-so-stellar review, but my hope is that I am able to convey at least something small of value to perhaps be the equivalent of either a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down.

And so, right off the bat, I must say that I must give this one a thumbs-up without reservation.  Which was a surprise to me.  Because Owen Wilson is more than a funny guy; he’s quite the convincing American in a foreign land trying to protect his family at all costs.  Granted, his point of view is somewhat a myopic Western-eye view of the locals, but it is the film’s narrow focus on the panicked and bewildered Americans that makes it so breathtakingly gripping.  And I might go a step further to say it even does a great job in serving as a scare tactic to the viewers in perhaps dissuading them on any immediate impending international travel!

This is a high-drama political action thriller that is literally one long chase.  Interesting to see Pierce Brosnan in his role of loud-mouthed Brit doubling as savior.

Worth more than the price of admission, no question about it.

 

This is what happens when I wait too long to write a movie-review: I kinda-sorta forget three-fourths of the movie which is not very  conducive to writing a reasonably intelligent, honest, and engaging review.

Which is where I find myself even as I try to recall more than the one obvious fact about this movie, viz., that Tom Cruise was awesome. 

And if you think that says it all, well then, you’ll understand when I say that this little fact eclipses the movie altogether to the point that even the plot and the impressive James Bond-style action thriller scenes that included Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin and Ving Rhames – although I can’t say I remember clearly how exactly they contributed to the story – is trumped by Tom Cruise’s awesomeness.

Bottom line:  it was fine entertainment, if only mildly robotic and senseless at times.  Oh, but nothing that threatened Tom Cruise’s awesomeness factor .  Did I mention that already?  🙂