richard_ferdman

Decent plot. James coburn is often a ham and over acts but not here - might have been his finest work (not that this says much). Biehm was decent and Sarah tripper was surprisingly good - I wonder why she left films - it is a tough industry for women to get deep roles especially then.

Cage terribly overacted and am not sure how much of that was directing or him having the Coppola name at that time. But his role nearly had me turn off the movie early on. Good cast and seeing Charlie sheen act was also a joy. Seeing part of the mod squad / monkees was a trip down memory lane - even if they did not add anything to the film.

It would be 5 stars if not for cage.

One can't fault the cast or the acting. People like Wes studi, deNiro, Kilmer were all good. The problem was there was not enough editing. It was more of a soap opera with family drama at the beginning and lost what could have been a great action film and became an average one. The meeting of Deniro and Pacino over coffee was a highlight although the exit of the scene was poor at best. That was cut short when many other scenes could be cut. The scenes with a young Natalie Portman could have been cut. Seeing Ashley Judd as a bad guy and Jeremy piven was funny but the incessant micro dramas while understandable were just too many and too long. There is something called editing.

Kate beckinsale is attractive, but really could not act and putting her as a lead when she needs to act was the only downfall. She is not believable in any action seen so "cut" and stunt doubles must have bored everyone.

Good story though and I look forward to a remake (sequel) with someone who can act and is believable in the role.

Ben miles was good as was Rupert friend. Ray Stevenson was also good although he seems to have passed after the film was concluded.

I have nothing more to add so I will just fill up space. Well I have to write more and more and still have 18 characters to go ...