Well here we go with what seems to be the first test screening of ENEMY OF THE STATE. Test Screened in Arizona to assure secrecy... sigh... Anyway, here's the first look at it, there are some spoilers in the review, which is actually kinda of schizophrenic. He goes from "Ho Hum" to the audience "really loved it." So whatever, this is just the opinion of a single person, based on an early look at the film. And afterwards Eisner, Tony Scott and Bruckheimer all seemed pleased, so that's a good sign... Let's keep our eyes on this one, and if you've seen it, share, we afficionadoes of the Tony Scott universe want to know....Onto the review...
Last night in Phoenix AZ I attended the test screening for Enemy of the State staring Will Smith and Gene Hackman. I'm going to tell you everything I know, and then, I'll have to disapear for a while, so that no one will find me. They already canceled my credit cards, and started to discredit me in the press....Oh, but I'll get them back I will!
The movie we were shown was a work print. However, I can say honestly that I feel this film would be much differnet from the final cut. Most, if not all, of the effects shots were in, and the score seemed appropiate. That is to say, it didn't have the feel of a "temp" track. Some of it actually worked in places! The editing, however, seemed a little choppy and the physical quality of the film (lots of cracks and black marks) seemed a little off, but other than that, I think I saw what actually would be the release. With that being said, on to the reivew!
The film starts off with a CIA stlye murder of a Senator. This Senator opposes something called the Telecommunications Privacy and Security Act. Well, John Voight, (Senator Reynolds), is really in favor of this act (which is supposed to strip all privacy away from the populace) and when he can't convince the other sentator...He and some National Security Agency goons kill this poor senator and dump him and his car in the lake where they were talking. Sound interesting yet?
Well, it just so happens that Jason Lee had a camera stashed down at the lake filming wildlife for some Government Agency. He goes down there to pick up his film, and some NSA goon sees him do it. Obvious secuirty leak right, since they made the Senators death look like a suicide.
The NSA positively id's ole Mr. Lee, tap his phones and when he figures out what he has on his tapes, he calls his friend in a Left Wing magazine. Well, the NSA show up with Goons and a technical support Survelience team (including Randy from Scream!) and they chase him around the city, which ends with him getting creamed by a Firetruck. Now, before he gets creamed he passes a copy of the tape off to Will Smith, who unknowningly takes it home. Sound interesting yet?
Then its one big smear campaign. The NSA has Smith under survelience and yadda yadda yadda...This movie is what I consider a "ho hum movie." You know what I mean, the kind that you're glad you saw for free cause you'd be upset if paid money for it. I'd say about three things saved it:
* Will Smith: I have never been disapointed with any movie I've seen with him in it. Basically, he plays the same character, but this kid has such charisma its frightening. Maybe someday he'll branch out, but until then, he is very fun to watch.
* Gene Hackman: Once again, Hackman does a good job of taking a character, and turns him into something charismatic. His character was a nice touch in this film.
* The Tech's: The NSA employs lots of Gen - X computer gurus to keep tabs on everyone. The cat who played Randy from Scream does a good job, and they, as a group are a lot of fun to watch. It really disturbed me though, that these seemingly nice kids would take such a joy in destroying a mans life. That irked me, but thats just a personal thing.
Other parts of the movie was cool as well: Some mafia stuff; Smiths wife (played by the woman who did Marcy in Jerry Maguire....her name escapes me); Lisa Bonet. The worst part about this movie though was the ending, I kid you not, two hours was taken care of in something like 2 minutes. It was totally out of Screenwriter 101. You got the feeling that they looked over the script and said..."Damn! We gotta end this movie!" I can't say that I was disapointed in this movie, cause it was a Bruckheimer and we know what to expect (the man practically fathered the "Check-your-brain-at-the-door movie of the 80's and 90's) but at the same time, I really wanted to see more of a pay off at the end. I wanted to see the "evil" men get their due, besides being shot.
After the movie, I had to fill out one of those blue cards. I named-checked you all through out the blue card, just to be subversive.
Oh, before I forget, the audience seemed to enjoy the film as well, and the circle of power (Bruckheimer, Eisner and Tony Scott) didn't seem nervous at all when I saw them outside the theatre.
Anyway, now that I've told you, I gotta run! Keep fightin' the bad movie power! No more "Batman and Robins!" Call me "DevilDoubt"
