El Santo

I love this movie. As a movie buff, I must admit, objectively, this is a bad movie. The writing is ridiculous, the plot is convoluted, and Val Kilmer's accents are bizarre. But I love this movie. It is that wonderful combination of danger and romance that makes for great fantasy. The chemistry between Kilmer and Shue holds this movie together. It is a delight to watch them realize that their skin deep attraction goes much deeper. If you can suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the ride, the Saint is a fun movie. Despite its flaws, the Saint is a guilty pleasure to indulge in when your own life is lacking in explosions, gun fights, and sudden, passionate romances.

I've always thought of Val Kilmer as a secondary actor. Iceman in "Top Gun" and playing a second-rate Batman compared to Michael Keaton. But I was proved wrong in "The Saint", which pushes acting to the limit with Kilmer playing a variety of characters very well, and also having romantic and action scenes.

"The Saint" features Simon Templar, aka The Human Fly (Kilmer), who travels the world in disguise to steal and sell whatever he can for the highest price. Things become more complicated when he must steal from a beautiful physicist (Elisabeth Shue).

I thought Shue was especially flaky, as was her character. How a beautiful woman who knows cold fusion does not get a date is beyond me. Also, how a world-famous physicist can dress and act like a high school cheerleader is also a bit odd. But I guess it's possible. On a related note, this is Shue's most beautiful appearance. I cannot even recognize her as the girl next door of "Adventures in Babysitting" or "The Karate Kid".

I'm also not sure if the best way to cure hypothermia is to take off all your clothes, because that is not what I learned in Boy Scouts. But I'm not a physicist.

Otherwise, great film. The costume and makeup department deserved an Oscar. If they didn't get one, I scream foul because I have never seen more convincing makeup and hair extensions in a film before. Kilmer was able to play roughly six characters that were all lifelike and quite distinguishable.

The fights were great, especially when Kilmer donned his ninja gear and fought the Russian mafia. Breathtaking. And what a great choice to play the Russian villain. Charismatic, strong actor and powerfully menacing.

This almost makes me want to see the original TV series, though I think I'd be disappointed. This film is a must-see for all people, action fans or not. The romance and comedy easily rival the action.

I just finished watching the Saint again, it's the sort of movie you remember seeing a few years back and when you get home after a long day at work your glad it's being re-run on TV. The plot is nothing stunning but neither is it entirely unbelievable. Simon Templar (Val Kilmer) is a big time con-artist/thief who operates to further his own financial position, charm some very attractive ladies and buy himself a Volvo that actually looks good. An ambitious Russian oil magnate hires him to steal a formula off a gorgeous nuclear physicist. They fall in love and Templar turns from thief into hero. I don't think this movie claims to be anything life-changing but it's good fun if taken lightly. Kilmer has a good turn as Templar and his various disguises and pranks along with some bungling by a few hapless Scotland Yard detectives provide a few laughs. The action is great fun and backed by the Chemical Brothers and Underworld. The romance between Elisabeth Shue's character and Kilmer's isn't bad either, they're both convincing in their own way and there are some nice moments for sentimental folk like me. The Saint is perfect for a quiet night with the boys, beers and some gawking at Elisabeth Shue, it's bad not to watch with that someone special either.

Cheers

Tim

As I'm not someone who is very familiar with the television show I'm guessing that it was a plus. The film was a complete entity without having to rely on the show of the same name.

The film itself was brilliant, granted as a Val Kilmer fan you could say that I might have been biased but not very often. There are a lot of his films I don't like. Anyway, it had a nice story with plenty of twists and turns. It was obvious from the moment he met Dr Russell that he would fall in love with her, although there was a bit too much kissing and sloppy stuff.

The best thing about the film I think was the many characters Val managed to do. He seems to be able to do so many, and not just in The Saint.. another one would be Tombstone. The man is a genius, in a league of his own.

Just a word of advice to anyone who's going to see it, don't go in there expecting it to be like the television show because you'll be disappointed.

I loved this film as a child. Val Kilmer is hamming it up as this odd character that uses the weirdest accents and wigs throughout the film. Re-watching this film, I've discovered that the South African can character he creates to seduce the female lead is... cringeworthy yet hilarious.

Also cracking me up is the son of the villain Tretiak. The pony tailed, cane wielding minion has this amazing sixth sense to make the most outlandish "leaps of observation" to find Kilmer. This greasy bloodhound blankly looks around and can in any situation immediately find where Kilmer has gone.

Oddly enough some scenes seem to also have been shot with a green screen during reshoots. Simple shots like two people speaking in a doorway are superimposed on a Moscow background. This only adds to the love I have for this weird and sloppy film that I continue to return to.