Spartan (2004)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Did you people see the same film I saw?

Best movie of this year hands down!

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

"Spartan" is a brilliant thriller that unfolds more and as it goes on. It peels off the layers like and onion and there is always another surprise around the corner. The writer doesn't feel the need to introduce the characters and jumps right into action and that is a refreshing change. The dialogue is very well thought out and more extensive than the usual one liners that is what makes this thriller so unique. The absence of catchphrases or worn out lines makes the dialogue and atmosphere feel more tens and perfectly fits the movies overall theme. Val Kilmer shows one of the best performances of his career a total bad-ass. Macy and Bell also deliver solid performances. The directing is very good and is different than in other thrillers. Rather than trying to lay focus on the characters Mamet lays focus on the plot and lets the actors do their thing which helps the plot unfold so much better and the characters to bloom. He does this with great camera work. There are some great long shots that just raise the tension and excitement. There are also many hidden details in this movie that can give the viewer a clue about the proceedings in the story and pull the viewer even more into the story. In conclusion we can say that we have a very unconventional yet brilliant thriller that excites from start to end and makes the viewer feel at home.

so back in 2009 I had gone to the Leon Collins library and rented this film. My new friend who had a loft apartment off Virginia let me crash there for the weekend....(she still lives there). what I remember without the relevation of the scene with Jon Goodman and William forsyth in raising Arizona, Val Kilmer and Derek Luke are army people who go through a robbery...or even possibly recover missing money from other people who did it...and the plan was to meet back at the base...and Val Kilmer takes his time while Derek Luke waits at the base....BUT after watching this AGAIN the situation with ed o neill kind of sheds some light on what I might have seen...kinda like a Morgan freeman in the gone baby gone film with Casey Affleck...but for sure there had not been that woman whose married to Dax Shepard who again Once upon a time ago I coulda sworn it was Dax Daxter or something.

First this isn't a spy movie, just another cliché ridden, cheesy police-action movie with a lot of gratuitous violence to compensate a poor script. Second, when the hero is an agent of the government, we expect it to behave according to the laws and not like a criminal, torturing and killing people for no reasons. When you justify the criminal behavior of the government giving the excuse of "emergency" or "national security" this gives a VERY dangerous message.Finally the whole movie is a mess, very confusing, with random shootings and beatings to cover plot holes. I can't realize how such a poor movie could get this high rating here.

What can I say? Once again, Val Kilmer's role in this movie does not disappoint. Seeing him as a Secret Service Agent, going 'above and beyond' the 'call of duty' to save the life of a young girl was incredible! This movie had me on edge the whole time. I had no idea how the story would unfold, or how it would end. I must say, I was very pleased with the results. I cannot begin to imagine what Val must have been thinking as he took this character, and breathed "life" to its very soul. It was a touching story, and I was so proud to see him as a hero. Because really...that's what he is...a hero. Val...you are amazing. <3 Your amazing performance never disappoints your fans. Thank you!