Another revolter from Travolta (Swordfish (DVD))

Member Name: dullwood

Product:	Swordfish (DVD)
Date:	13/08/01 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: That explosion, Don Cheadle - underused again

Disadvantages: Barmy plot, Dreadful dialogue

Oh my God, it's another John Travolta movie! After studiously avoiding Battlefield Earth (this year's Mission To Mars), the promise of a kick-ass action movie with the hairstyle diva himself wasn't an entirely attractive proposition. But the promise of that explosion - yes, it really is that amazing - plus (I admit it!) the prospect of a topless Halle Berry, and I went with little urging. And the first ten minutes are very good indeed, with Travolta taking serious artistic licence and bemoaning current Hollywood movies for not having enough balls, and not doing things the way they should or would happen. Then he goes and does exactly what never happens. (Another quick word about the ensuing explosion - if there is another cinematic blast as impressive as this one, I haven't seen it yet. It is awesome.) From then on the film quickly descends into the usual mix of hackneyed characterisations, cliched dialogue, noisy action scenes (including one pretty cool car chase with extra guns on the side), and neck-snapping editing moves. Travolta phones in his role as supervillain Gabriel Shear (jeez, who thinks up these names?), Hugh Jackman steals the show by playing it straight, Miss Berry reveals two very nice surprises, and Don Cheadle runs around in the background as undervalued and underused as he was in Rush Hour 2 - someone give this man a leading role. Director Dominic Sena directs with all the aplomb of a man who doesn't know his last movie (Gone in Sixty Seconds) was equally as bad, and kudos go to the special effects and stunt guys who save Swordfish from being even less than the sum of its parts. As actioners go, it's sporadically amusing and exciting, but finishes with one of the most over-the-top, unbelievable stunt sequences in recent memory (and that includes the fire truck ride at the end of Con Air). Perfect fare for a Saturday night in with a curry and some lagers, otherwise save your money. Or better yet, go see Shrek ag
ain.

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