Swordfish (2001)
Dominic Sena
USA
99 mins, color, English
Every consipracy-theorist's paranoid dream, SWORDFISH turned out to be a highly enjoyable action movie with a decent plot, excellent stunts, and great-looking people, that finally ended my miserable film-dud streak this week, which included PEARL HARBOR and that other abomination, TOMB RAIDER. If SWORDFISH is any indication of the summer setup that Hollywood has set for us, then I can say that we are in good shape for the hot months.
Despite the ludicrous premise (an ultra-secret US agency recruits a disowned top Mossad agent to pull a high-tech heist, which involves lifting $9.5 billion in unused government funds --- the money itself left over from a shady CIA/FBI/NSA/whatever drug laundry scheme --- in order to fund, get this, a brutal clandestine anti-terrorist campaign), and despite the trite approach to hacking (it most certainly will take more than 60 seconds to break into DOD, and no self-respecting hacker spends time coding freaking graphics to illustrate the latest worm technology, regardless of the bit encryption), SWORDFISH delivered the goods, even managing to outdo THE MATRIX in some of the special effects.
John Travolta as the Israeli Gabriel Shear, who, for some reason displays a lot of unhealthy patriotism, and Halle Berry as the "enigma wrapped in a mystery" Ginger were cool, slick, and sported great shades. She also has a great body. Acting: the usual larger-than-life evil smirk from Travolta and nice breasts from Berry. The surprise was Hugh Jackman as the super-hacker Stanley Jobson (in an unwarranted nod to Apple's founder). No, it wasn't his acting, which was a tad above average, especially in the scenes with his daughter. It was the fresh take of the filmmakers on hackerdom. This time there's no more nerdy guy and no more fat pizza face. This time Stanley is the disheveled (that is a must) but muscular type with a bit of a Rupert Everett thing going (that's a good thing in my book). It is obvious that he's never written a line of code in his life, but it is still better than having to eye some dough boy, who hasn't either. Also, it was much more believable to have Halle Berry fake falling for him.
Last, but definitely not least, Sena is one competent director. I particularly enjoyed the trick he stole from THE MATRIX, which the Wachowski brothers stole from the Gap commercials. When the first blast goes off, the camera deliberately moves and pans around the scene, all in slow motion, going through rooms, walls, doors, and windows. Great stuff. The stunts, as I mentioned, were fine, although nothing exceptional, especially by Hong Kong standards. The cinematography was slick, but a bit too much MTV style for me. Parts also reminded me of the style of TRAFFIC. Not a bad thing.
All in all, SWORDFISH exceeded my expectations. I thought I would be mildly entertained, but the spectacle was fine and I had a really good time. I might see it again. Great distraction if the sultry weather is getting on your nerves (as it does on mine).
June 17, 2001. BLS