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Spy Game is a solid entry into the spy genre (which has been lacking as of late). Both Redford and Pitt turn in above-average performances to characters that probably should have had a little harder edge to them (particularly Redford).

The story, despite flashbacks, is always interesting thanks to some well-plotted writing. The only let-down is the ease that Redford makes the ending happen. There weren't any obstacles in his way. Basically, the only dilemma he had was the choice to give up the 280k he'd been saving.

The film is helped by sharp directing and cinematography. Kudos to the editor, too.

Overall, a film that you can watch more than once -- and that's saying something these days...

3.5/4 stars (***1/2 out of ****)

Denzel did what few actors can do. Take a thoroughly corrupt, unlikable character, give it dimension and use it to help deliver a very good film. He deserved the Oscar, no one can deny that.

The seminal scene for me was near the end when Denzel, outnumbered and outgunned, still holds his facade together with the brothers in the hood like he's still the one in control - very believable.

Though, credit has to be given to the overlooked part of the equation, Ethan Hawke who anchors the film by allowing us to identify with someone - and that's really the icing on what might otherwise be an average bad cop story.

Kudos to the writer for writing an straight-forward, character driven story (though somewhat slow at times) and to Antoine Fuqua who really delivers as a director this time (as opposed to the Replacement Killers which he fell flat action and character wise).

Worth repeated viewings if you have the stomach for corruption or if you want to experience Denzel's darker side.

3/4 stars (***/****)

It's almost become a given that as action stars age, their movies become exponentially worse, and dumber. Dolph has not been immune to this trend as evidenced by some of his most recent outings.

Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised by his latest (and last? if rumors are to be believed) film. HIDDEN AGENDA is by far Dolph's most intelligent, and probably best, movie to date. It is what MISSION IMPOSSIBLE I&II and ERASER aspired to, but failed to deliver.

The script is well-plotted and the writing crisp (I noticed it's the same writer, Les Welden, who wrote Van Damme's best recent-memory film, REPLICANT) with some nice one-liners delivered with tongue and cheek savoir-faire by Dolph. But it is the directing which stands out. Marc Grenier, whose other films I have not yet seen, delivered a terrific looking film on what was clearly a limited budget. He also got a nice performance out of Dolph who is usually constrained to one-sentence grunts and kicks. The action and suspense were plentiful as were the twists and turns.

Overall, a must-see for any Dolph fan, or any movie goer who likes intelligent, suspenseful films. It's a shame films like this one get relegated to direct-to-video status when so many other horrible movies find the big screen just because stars are in them. My $8 would've certainly been better spent on this than half the films I've seen this year.

****1/2 out of 5 stars.