Snake Eyes (1998)

Best movie of this year hands down!

A Masterpiece!

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Again. Another movie in the 90's; when we all rented vids or went to the movies; that was a total let down. I remember this movie specifically. It looks like it was shot in one casino. I love Nicolas Cage because no one else is quite like him. I think we all love the iconic method actors. All Nicolas cage years (0 is a number!) of studying at the prestigious "My Uncle is Francis Ford Coppola" school of acting paid off as he both chewed scenery and over forced the portrayal of his character like he was desperately trying to suck a sausage through a straw. He has definitely had better performances.Once again a 90's movie where you are sitting in the theater wondering when they will get to a part that justifies the budget and finally realizing that you have been ripped off as the ending credits roll.Fortunately most movie makers realized, like the US Automobile industry in the '70s, if you make a shoddy product then the masses will go elsewhere. Now we have digital media and the passion has come back into TV and movies.

I think that the strong point of this film is the direction. Maybe the story is predictable, little original and so on... but it is undeniable Brian De Palma's job on camera movements and on the style is extraordinary. Do we want to talk about the - fake - long take at the beginning, that lasts more than 10 minutes, in which the whole meaning of the film is included? Moreover, I've seen much worse performances by Nicholas Cage.

If you're like me you want to like Snake Eyes. Nicholas Cage and Brian DePalma make for that possibility. I mean Cage needs a good role and DePalma whose talent hasn't exactly been up to it's early level should be ready for another hit. Snake Eyes isn't going to be that hit. This movie moves and I mean moves. It's a frantic start with Cage showing some chutzpah with what he's painting. The venue is perfect for DePalma as it's maximum humidity and torrential rain in Atlantic City. With a rigged fight as the backdrop for a complex crime none of the potential is wasted early on. The cinematography is like another character in it's intensity and power. Things soon start unraveling though. The story is way too much of a stretch playing out with a cast of unlikely characters in a way too public place. Gary Sinease is slumming here and it feels wrong. Cage continues to do his schtick better than the movie actually gives him legs to do. It becomes ridiculous way too fast and deep.This is the type of movie I tend to keep watching to see if my early investment might be redeemed. In this case it's a waste though since it just keeps sinking under the mess it's created for itself with the lame story.

I have watched Brian De Palma films here and there for years, but it wasn't until recently where I really immersed myself in his filmography. Body Double is the one to beat, a phenomenal erotic thriller that stays in your head weeks after. Dressed to Kill and Passion are also top notch works that have such memorable sequences. Snake Eyes is not as erotic as the aforementioned films (although Carla Gugino is wildly ravishing in the film), however its a fun thrill ride. De Palma delves into a conspiracy involving a murder at a boxing event. Nicolas Cage is the detective at the event who is tasked with solving the crime. There are twists and turns in the film that keep the film going. The reveal occurs early but it wasn't a problem as there was much to enjoy. The cinematography is top notch; De Palma is excellent at this. There are first person view points, flashbacks, overhead shots going from room to room. Its all done with craft. The film isn't a magnificent marvel of cinema, however De Palma knows how to keep the film flowing. Cage as an overacting detective brings life to the film. Lets face it, we love when Nicolas Cage is like that. There are parts of the plot that could have been changed for a bit more coherency but its not much to complain about. Stay tuned all the way through to the end of the credits.Overall, De Palma is a great filmmaker. What I really appreciate about him is his ability to branch out and try different types and styles of film. He's had some misses throughout the years but its safe to say Snake Eyes really isn't one of them.7/10