You're Either S.W.A.T. Or You're Not (S.W.A.T (DVD))

Member Name: Andy.mack

Product:	S.W.A.T (DVD)
Date:	12/12/03 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some brilliant action sequences

Disadvantages: An obvious set up for more films

I'll be the first to admit I don't go to the cinema half as much as I really should do to be going a lot more often. I'm still to see the latest Matrix film although from what I've heard about it here I'm still slightly dubious. However have been given the opportunity to see SWAT I took it up in a flash. The trailers I had seen looked pretty good and the fact it has Samuel L Jackson in it was just a bonus.

The story line is unsurprisingly simple. After an armed raid on a bank the LAPD SWAT team are called in to deal with the hostage takers. It all ends in tragedy when one female hostage is shot by Brian Gamble (Jeremy Renner) and as he and his partner Jim Street (Colin Farrell) disobeyed an order to hold they are in serious trouble. Brian opts for the easy way out and quits the force.

However Street decides to return to normal Police service and tries to work his way back into SWAT. This decision doesn't sit well with Brian who thinks Street has ratted him out to the boss. About six months later a new SWAT team leader has been brought in by the Chief to get the team into shape and get together a crack team. SGT Hondo (Samuel L Jackson) isn't one of the Captains favourite people so his choice of team was always going to be hard to get approved.

While this is happening Alex Montel, one of the worlds most wanted and dangerous criminals in the world has been arrested. The new SWAT team are given the job of transporting the prisoner. Only problem is he's offered anyone who breaks him out a hefty $100 million. The SWAT team have to watch their back as everyone is trying to get this guy out for the "reward".

The film flows pretty easily although there is a large section devoted to the training of the SWAT recruits training, which suggests they are building this into a franchise. Although this is fairly significant to the development of the film and the team you can?t help but feel the producers
are going to be looking at a couple of films at least.

Other than that there are no major complaints with the script, which is well written and really lets the director add a few good touches into it. There are a few comedy moments attempted within the script but apart from a few one liners from Hondo there really isn't anything of note. There is a lot of time spent developing the character of Street which I felt was really important to the film. Building up the relationship with his ex girlfriend's brother who just so happens to be on SWAT adds to the tension while the new team is created. There is no where near the same character build up for the other characters, but if there was it would make the film really boring.

The director Clark Johnson has really come from no-where to making a blockbuster film. His directing credits seem to be limited to a number of TV series including an episode of the West Wing. However there was obviously something spotted there, as it is very unusual for an unknown Director to be given the responsibility of a film like this. Of course aided by a decent script there wasn't too far he could go wrong. The action sequences particularly are shot well.

It's within these action sequences where we see the director being a little bit creative within the script to really bring the film to life. The ambush on the police convoy seems to be one such moment. These parts of the film are put together and directed so well that they appear a lot more believable than they otherwise might have seemed. Overall I'd say Johnson has done a cracking job on this film and I shall certainly be looking out for his future efforts.

The film is mainly filmed in downtown La and the locations used suit what is needed for the film. The underground locations especially are done very well and add a nice twist to the film as does the ending but no more details on that or I'll be spoiling it for you. Overall th
e locations fit the script well and are used as well as they could.

The casting I feel has been done very well. Of course the film has its two big stars and then works in a cast of lesser known actors around them. First up Samuel L Jackson as SGT Hondo is an inspired choice. It's very rare that Samuel L Jackson Is in a poor film and this is no exception to that rule. He leads the cast well and of course has most of the films better lines. As usual Samuel L Jackson steals the show coming across as confident and in charge but also adding the few witty lines of the film to his less serious side.

Of course Farrell has made quite a name for himself in films over the last couple of years and it's only recently I've taken notice of him. After a decent performance in the Recruit he again impresses me in this. His role as Street is almost made for him and alongside Jackson I think they both work off each other extremely well. The only think that annoys me is where he tries to hide his Irish accent and when it makes the odd appearance it does sound strange. Farrell's personality seems to slip nicely into the way Street was written showing a fairly serious side to his character. However he has a couple of attempted funny segments which don't quite come off.

The rest of the cast are pretty much unknown to me apart from LL Cool J who plays one of the SWAT team. I have always been pleasantly surprised that LL has been good in the few films he's been in and again this is no exception. Michelle Rodriguez comes across quite well as Chris Sanchez, the obligatory female member of SWAT but at the same time I find her a little wooden in places much like her performance in the Fast and the Furious.

I'm still largely undecided on Jeremy Rayner who plays Brian. In certain scenes he's impressive but there are parts where you just really don't like him. The only bad casting decision though in my eyes is Oliver Martinez
who plays Alex Montel, the crime lord. He just doesn't seem right for the part although he is rather slimy so that may have helped him some. As far as I'm aware I haven't seen him in anything else but doubt I'll be rushing to either.

The soundtrack is fairly good featuring the likes of Linkin Park and The Rolling Stones. This definitely adds a little extra to the film as it seems a lot of thought has gone into the type of tracks for each part of the film and really do suit it well. In fact looking at the soundtrack it may actually be worth buying or at least downloading.

It's certainly a film I would recommend. Obviously some will watch it for Colin Farrell, others will prefer the action sequences. However, as a package of action and drama it works very well indeed and should therefore appeal to a wide market. The film is obviously being set up for a franchise with the possibility of a number of films coming out of it as long as they can keep the cast together which is quite worrying for the future integrity of the movie. Overall though, I'd say this film is a success and works really well. If you are into action movies or just fancy some brainless entertainment and the trailers have grabbed your attention then check it out. You won't be disappointed.

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