Swordfish (2001)

If you want to be entertained on a boring night, this is your movie. Not extraordinary. Just okay. It has action and a little intrigue...but it is very cliche, in my opinion. Star studded. It has some slow moments but overall the pace is kept. "Okay."

(Hugh Jackman)Stanley Jobson is living on the fringes of a happy life. He's working a job he hates in order to win back a daughter he loves, from an ex-wife who hates him. (Halle Berry)Ginger is the unexpected visitor who offers Stanley a chance to get his daughter back ... but it may mean losing everything. (John Travolta)Gabriel is the leader of a group that has a job requiring Stanley's specific skill set. (Don Cheadle)Agent J.T. Roberts wants to stop Stanley from exercising his skill. This is an under-appreciated heist film. Gabriel Shear's knowing nods to previous movies may be a bit meta for some tastes, but there is a method to Gabriel's banter. He is knowingly leading Stanley where he wants him to go. In fact, everyone wants something from Stanley. Jackman delivers an energetic and honest portrayal as the father desperate to rebuild his life and win back his daughter. Berry is edgy and sexy. Cheadle delivers another strong performance, but as his character ties Stanley's past and present together it would be better to have him around more often. His few scenes add texture and energy. Travolta as Gabriel is almost the victim of his own talent. Gabriel straddles a fine line between laconic and smarmy. His dialogue is delivered so effortlessly you might imagine his winking at the camera. He isn't. It's a subtle and nuanced performance that probably needed more edge. Travolta's low-key delivery make his explosive moments seem forced, instead of building organically. The movie is suspenseful at times, and fast-paced when it needs to be. There are a few shocks and a lot of sex-appeal. For those who are looking for self-improvement tips with your entertainment, there's even a demonstration of innovative methods of recruiting and data-entry. This is a solid and intelligent adventure. The characters are interesting, complex and painted in shades of good, bad and conflicted.

Could have been a good movie. But a movie with a crime plot, cyber and law subplots shouldn't get all the details wrong. Errors included citing the wrong constitutional amendments and using the wrong law enforcement agencies. Although the acting was pretty good, the characters actions were counter-intuitive, thus creating distance between the characters and the audience. As a result, the movie quickly grew implausible and therefore tedious. They needed better technical consultants and tighter writing. Perhaps a little research before finalizing the script would have uncovered the errors. We deserve better.

This is a preposterous load of tosh, with Hugh Jackman as an IT expert being suborned by John Travolta to hack into hidden CIA cash reserves (for the best of reasons, obviously). The plot twists and turns, (is JT and bad guy? A good guy? A bad good guy? what?), Halle Berry is gorgeous as the cinematic eye candy, Hugh struggles to do what's right, and Vinnie Jones is utterly crap as a hard man (as usual...). If you like crime thrillers, you will love the roller coaster ride. A firm favourite - I've probably watched it into double figures by now.Music throughout is by Paul Oakenfold and is great. Halle Berry is great in this film and it does have an interesting twist at the end.. Would really recommend this film to buy as you will watch it again. Really good film to watch.