Sahara - Abenteuer in der Wüste

Part comedy, part action. Easy to watch, enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

This movie is definitely not a masterpiece. The screenplay is dumb. The acting is to say the least, average. The story is preposterous. Yet, as Ebert nicely put it, "I enjoyed this movie on its own dumb level, which must mean (I am forced to conclude) in my own dumb way". Yes, this is a film you should watch with your brain switched comfortably to the 'Off' position, a nice cold beer on the table and a bag of popcorn in your lap. When you come to think about it though, isn't that what movies are supposed to be all about in the first place?

P.S. One thing worth mention though is the excellent cinematography. The movie is a wonderful African picture book, which definitely helps the overall experience.

I have watched this movie at least 5 times since it was released on video. It is one of the movies that is constantly entertaining. The soundtrack is great and I also agree that the chemistry between the actors was perfect. I would watch this duo again in another film. I'll put this movie on when I am cleaning the house or doing laundry. Every time I end up sitting down and watching most of it. As another viewer commented it is a lot like National Treasure(which I also give high mark). They are both easy to watch, they wrap things up nicely and leave you feeling like you went on the adventure! What else could you ask from a movie...

Bring on Dirk Pitt! Here is a movie that wants to have fun, the cast wants to have fun. The audience ends up having fun. Steve Zahn is hilarious. Matthew McConaughey handles the limited demands of his role quite well. Penelope Cruz brings her ever-present charm and beauty to a role which is notable for being one of the few action-adventure roles written for a female that is not obnoxious in recent memory. You can't take your eyes off William H. Macy whenever he is on screen in ANY movie. He's that good.

It's kind of a Bond meets Indiana Jones film (I swear they used the same canyon from "Raiders of the Lost Ark") The villains are one dimensional, but who cares? We are here to follow the exploits of our heroes. If we have to suspend our disbelief, we do it willingly because we are grinning ear to ear.

I've come to the conclusion that this is one of those movies that you either love or you hate, and I'm one of the "love it" guys.

In some ways you can compare it to your typical James Bond movie, the girl everyone wants and the guy that everyone wants to be like, but if it's cut from the same bolt of cloth, Dirk Pitt (McConaughey) is fraying at the edges. I've tried reading some of Clive Cussler's books, but not exactly my style, but both movies based on his material (Sahara and Raise the Titanic) are decent enough movies with this one being the better of the two (and apart from the news article regarding the Titanic during the opening credits you wouldn't know it was connected). Dirk Pitt is portrayed wildly different in both movies with this one being more action and humor oriented.

Movie is easy enough to find and watch for free on streaming services so if you have a Roku just do a search for it. If it isn't available when you do search for it, sit tight, it will make another round of availability soon enough. Definitely worth it if you're looking for an action/adventure style buddy movie with humor.