11
GRiP
Lack of American Intelligence THE RECRUIT
RELEASED: 28TH MARCH CERTIFICATE: 12A RUNNING TIME: 115 mins CAST Al Pacino: Walter Burke Colin Farrell: James Clayton Bridget Moynahan: Layla Moore Gabriel Macht: Zack Dir.: Roger Donaldson Scr.: Roger Towne, Kurt Wimmer & Mitch Glazer
P WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT
itched as an explosive thriller, The Recruit fulfils little of said promise. In a time when plots centring round national security risks and
undercover intelligence should be at the very least exciting, instead this is a stodgy regurgitation of a weary cat and mouse cliché. Walter Burke’s shady
character draws on James Clayton’s craving for information about his missing ex-CIA agent father. With tantalising titbits of information and a faux friendliness, the top-dog trainer lulls the young computer wizkid into applying there himself. For Clayton, prepared to give up his entire existence primarily to piece together his family history, this perfect storyline opportunity is let-down disgracefully . After initial interest, and apart from some doe-eyed looks at ‘Missing In Action’ remembrance boards after he becomes a recruit, it’s as though his old man never existed at all. And such scrimping on detail is typical of the film as a whole. Whilst chocked full of possible
James Clayton is plucked from his shambolic bachelor lifestyle by CIA topdog Walter Burke. Excelling in the gruelling regime, Clayton becomes the obvious choice for a special mission that forces him to choose between a loyalty of love and the most secret of jobs.
exciting plot developments, it instead lazily relies on the reputation, and expected engagement, of the actors. Doing so is a risk, and one that that fails magnificently, as the pairing of Pacino and Farell does nobody any favours. The old-skool hero disappointingly plays the same character he has done for the last ten years; a mysterious notby-the-book enigma. When explaining his lifestyle to Clayton, Burke claims; “I don’t sleep, I need to piss like a racehorse every two hours it makes it impossible.” Ironically, the character’s lethargy seems to drain even more from the increasingly lacklustre Pacino. Baring such in mind, there becomes a painstakingly sharp contrast between him and the newest Hollywood hotshot and touted ‘possible Bond material’. The pup-like exuberance omitted by the new boy grates, resulting in a badly prevalent
case of under/over acting, respectively. The film screams “there’s a twist coming” after the first twenty minutes, and by the time it happens you may well have already guessed it. Clumsy and cumbersome, but good to watch on a strictly aesthetic level, the same could be said of Farrell. Considering The Recruit is about American intelligence, this film is worryingly dumb. Gemma Curtis
FINAL WORD Neither Pacino nor Farrell shine in this dull and predictable action thriller. Lacking any particularly notable highlights, ladies at least can enjoy the eyecandy of the young buck, whilst laughing at his ridiculous attempts at (over) acting.
✩✩
A buddy film too far NATIONAL SECURITY RELEASED: 21ST MARCH CERTIFICATE: 12A RUNNING TIME: 88 mins
CAST Martin Lawrence: Earl Montgomery Steve Zahn: Hank Rafferty Colm Feore: Detective Frank Duff Bill Duke: Lieutenant Washington Eric Roberts: Nash Dir.: Dennis Dugan Scr.: Jay Scherick & David Ronn
M WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT
interesting. Any suspense is undermined by the fact that every action can be anticipated well before it happens. National Security works within a now clichéd genre, giving the audience everything they expect from this sort of film but without adding anything original or interesting of its own. A good buddy comedy is driven by a convincing dynamism between the two main characters, underlaid by a believably touching sense that they really care about each other. However, it is highly doubtful that anyone would be able to tolerate Earl, the most irritating, offensive and thoroughly detestable character. Yet,
Jo Tinsley
FINAL WORD If you enjoy overdone slapstick action sequences interspersed with questionably racist humour – then this is the film for you. If not then give yourself a treat, rent out Lethal Weapon and watch an action comedy that is actually entertaining.
✩✩
Film
American cop, Hank, is riding high on one gigantic streak of bad luck – having witnessed his partner’s murder, he then proceeds to lose his job, his girl and is sent to one damn scary prison. To top all this, he ends up being partnered with Earl…
American buddy comedy/action movie. It tries but unfortunately, fails. Its well-worn action/comedy plot is as old as the hills and about as
guess it’s not all bad; it’s lighthearted and very occasionally comes out with the odd cracking joke. The first fifteen minutes will probably make you laugh, but after that you’ll no doubt be more interested in your pick n mix – and rightly so!
review
ismatched partners, shoot-outs, diving to the ground in front of dramatic explosions and cheesy one-liners – National Security is trying to be your average
however irritating Martin Lawrence’s performance is, Steve Zahn is spot on, and to be honest, is just plain funny to look at (with all his features squashed into a third of his face… ahh, bless him… cracks me up every time!). He certainly creates a character the audience can feel genuine sympathy for. This film has stirred up a fair amount of controversy, and rightly so, it is thoroughly racist throughout. If any of Lawrence’s comments were given to Zahn then this film would cause an outcry. But because the racism is reversed then supposedly it’s ok… and funny… get it? Little hint guys – if you’re going to reuse a joke– then make sure it’s a good one. National Security relies heavily on slapstick humour and ‘is it 'cos I is Black?’ jokes, which frankly, aren’t funny. I