Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh, Oscar Isaac, Ali Suliman

DiCaprio continues his trend of working with the biggest names in Tinseltown, as he teams up with Russell Crowe in this gritty 21st century spy nail biter. Di Caprio is steady, but unremarkable, while Crowe shines as one of the worst bosses in film history. Crowe always manages to find different ways to portray characters that seem, on the surface, to be similar to his past selections, and its always impressive to watch. Add directing master, Ridley Scott to the mix, and all the ingredients are present to make a film that is actually worth the ten bucks they charge for it.

Leonardo is Roger Ferris, a smart, fearless hands-on kind of modern spy who is after a terrorist leader named Al-Saleem with the shadowy help of Jordanian intelligence leader, Hani (Mark Strong), and the dubious support of his manipulative boss, Ed Hoffman, who is half soccer Dad and half sociopath (Russell Crowe). There is an unconvincing Hollywood-style romance tacked on with the usual style and results, but the dark story is still engaging and is sprinkled with authentic action scenes.

Body of Lies is an appealing blend of films like Traitor, Spy Games, Syriana and Enemy of the State, that mixes a good story with a not so subtle message about the weaknesses of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East with striking visuals and high quality production. If tricky espionage action is palatable to you, then don’t miss this one.

Director: Roger Donaldson

Starring: Colin Farrell, Al Pacino, Bridget Moynahan, Gabriel Macht

Director Roger Donaldson (The Bank Job and The World’s Fastest Indian), does a good job with this spy thriller that features a pretty good story with plenty of suspense and semi-surprising twists. Al Pacino shows flashes of his past glory, as he manages to perform without simply shouting his lines at the camera. The characters could have been more fully developed and the dialog needed to be punched up, but not a bad job, overall.

Colin Farrell is James Clayton, a computer whiz kid all set to start making the big bucks in Silicone Valley, when he is approached by a different kind of recruiter. Al Pacino is Walter Burke and he is recruiting for an outfit with a three letter acronym, but it sure ain’t IBM. Burke tantalizes Clayton with hints of secrets about his long deceased father and eventually manages to persuade him to join the CIA, where he is sent to ‘the farm’ for training as part of a group of recruits that includes a willowy beauty played Bridget Moynahan. There is plenty going on here and the story manages to keep the tension up as it progresses.

I am a sucker for spy films, be they cheesy James Bond, twisted, realistic (in my mind, anyway) features like the Tailor of Panama or glossy and far-fetched films like The Recruit. Action fans, may find it too slow and drama fans may find it too unbelievable, but for spy genre fans, its just right.