S.W.A.T. (Widescreen Special Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Dumb and not entertainingly dumb either
Review: Ugh! SWAT is a miserable film. I remember when I was a kid and I'd play at Cops and Robbers with other kids. We'd run around with invisible guns indiscriminately shooting at each other. SWAT has that same mentality and is aimed at the same age group. It's not a movie, it's shamefully disguised pro-NRA propaganda. For all the gun glorification and random violence (PG-13 rated violence remember, as they want to expose this drivel to the little kiddies) there is not one subtle moment that tells us guns are dangerous. Here they are just toys and shooting people is just fun.

I shouldn't really complain so hard as for the first whole hour of this film NOTHING happens. It's all devoted to pointless character building which never rises past cliched stereotypes (Michelle Rodriguez expands her range by playing an unhappy, scowling Latino-something she hasn't played before) and is totally ditched with the abrupt, anti-climatic ending.

SWAT promises action and the not-quite high concept plot of a crime-lord offering anyone who can break him out of custody a $100 million reward is never fully realised. We could have had 2 whole hours of excitement but we barely get 45 minutes. It's a slow, boring film with absolutely NOTHING to recommend it. Plus it all seems very 70's. I felt embarressed watching it.

The DVD is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. There are extras but do I care?

Rating:
Summary: (Insert Sound Effects and Explosion Here)
Review: Boom! Crash! Bang! Boom! Rat-a-tat-a-tat! There - I've just summed up S.W.A.T. for you. Starring Samuel L. Jackson (the second coolest black man in Hollywood) and Naughty Boy of The Moment, Colin Farrell, this run of the mill police shoot 'em up is average. And by average I mean that when something is supposed to go boom, it does. There's little to no ingenuity, little to no originality, heck, they even brought the catchy S.W.A.T. theme back (updated of course). The good guys are cool, the bad guys are bad, and that's about the size of it. The one thing that really bothered me was seeing the wonderful Michelle Rodriguez co-starring as the stereotypical Tough Latina Girl (tm). After a wonderful screen debut in "Girlfight" (go rent it now!), she has yet to star in anything resembling good since then. "Resident Evil", "The Fast and the Furious", "Blue Crush". In every single one, she's Tough Latina Girl, and that's just a shame. It was also a treat to see Jeremy Renner as the S.W.A.T. cop gone bad, as I'd seen him audition and get the role in Bravo TV's "The IT Factor" a year earlier. So the bottom line is - if you're looking for a good film, then try elsewhere. If you're looking for something to stare at on your television screen for an hour or two, without any danger of thought or emotion, then S.W.A.T. will do just fine, but if you like your police work with character and emotion, go rent "Homicide" directed by David Mamet.

Rating:
Summary: Best cop/type movie in a long time.
Review: Despite mixed reviews, I really enjoyed this movie. It brings to new light the subject of American greed and questions yourself to what price you hold on your personal merit. The actors do an excellent job and is a better "cop" movie than most you see these days. Although they aren't really cops... but kinda... well not really... you get the point. I'd recommend it more for the gun/combat junkies, because there's basically no hardcore drama, love, or intense character development, though there is a little.

If you're into military or cop type movies (Which involve tactics and alot of shooting) then I'm pretty certain you would enjoy this movie and maybe buy a copy of your own as I have. Although, several other people seem to have hated it. I'd suggest renting it once first to decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Three hot guys in one hot movie
Review: When I saw this I didn't know what I was watching until I saw who was in it. I never thought I would like a movie like this. But this movie had me at the edge me my seat the whole time and I was like what is going to happen? I can't believe how good this movie is I think it one of the best movies I have seen this year.

Rating:
Summary: Very funny and a good bit of SWAT action... but.....
Review: ...check in your brains at the door on the way in. Grab a soda and just plop yourself down in front of some laughs and action for the next two hours or so.

SWAT is VERY FUNNY! There is lots of laughs in this no-brainer action flick. The premise is simple. SWAT members get discharged for messing up an op. SWAT members get back together under the command of L. Jackson. SWAT are assigned to protect and transport a high-profile international criminal to jail..... the catch.... he just offered 100 Million dollars to whoever can bust him out. Que everyone from the Russian mafia to the street gangs trying to take on the SWAT team as they transport the prisoner.

Again SWAT is a no-brainer! The story is total hogwash, but damn if it aint fun! ... and it is. There is lots of SWAT action and comedy along the way. It does take some time to get going but as long as you do not take it too seriously (and the film makers didnt!)... you will be in for some fun.

It might not be the SWAT we where hoping for (the director of the remake Dawn of the Dead turned it down because they would not produce a R rated movie) but makes good action family viewing for older members.

Rating:
Summary: Dreadfull
Review: One could object to SWAT on the basis that it was an empty piece of propaganda glorifying the police, suggesting that brutality was reasonable and excusable and that all criminals are dangerous low lifes who deserve what is coming to them. However the main problem with the film is not any ideological issue but the fact that it is dull contrived and its plot so ridiculous that one can hardly watch it with a straight face.

The plot is that the Los Angles police department is run by some liberal softos who put our intrepid hero on punishment duty after a rescue operation results in a civilian being wounded. However our hero is recruited into a new SWAT team run by someone who depending on your outlook, either is a non nonsense crime fighter or a person who admires the sorts of policies which made Nazi Germany great.

The key to any action film is of course the action and the reason for the action. In this case a French Criminal offers a reward for anyone who will free him. The authorities rather than keeping him in a secure environment immediately decide to move him around so that large numbers of criminals eager for the reward can take out the police. This premise is so absurd that it is hard to take seriously. Thank goodness for terrorists who at least can make reasonable villains in subsequent action thrillers.


Rating:
Summary: Overrated
Review: The fact that this story is hardly plausible undermines it, and you have to take it for what it is.... An action film with a thin excuse of a story.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: This is a great action movie. This is not one of those cheesey Steven Segal, or Shaun Clad Van Dam or what ever movies! This very good.

Rating:
Summary: If You Don't Mind Gut Wrentching Corn, Be My Guest
Review: Old slug-eyebrows Colin Farrell has suddenly become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Unfortunately it will be short lived unless he takes a script thats not laughable. Prime example is his co-star Samuel Jackson, he takes way too many everage scripts, and while successfully boosts the film, his repertoire cruises downhill. Slug eyebrows needs to learn this, if he's going to be remembered he needs to reject corn on the cob scripts like SWAT.

'Do you feel me' - 'Yeah I feel you' has won the award for most cringingly corny confrontation this year. The film just wanders around until it comes to its anti-climatic insignificant ending where not even the goodys get anything special. I mean what is a Hollywood blockbuster when the heroes don't walk away with a girl, or 1000 billion dollars? While Jackson brings a rather tired performance he's still worth watching, only to take your eyes off those slugs.

Why do Americans think that SWAT are the 'most respected' or generally 'bestest' team in the 'world'?. What about the Ghurkas? The SAS who are far more efficient than SWAT. I think they meant America, not 'world'.

Hopefully slugbrows will stop taking films like this, the same goes for Jackson, but we all know thats never going to happen. The Recruit is his best to this day, ans SWAT his worst.

Rating:
Summary: Not An Oscar, But Still Fun
Review: While not an Oscar-worthy film, this one is just plain fun to watch. The action is good and for once the stunts are believable and not absurdly over-the-top. The dialogue was solid with wit and humor to it. There are some good lines and funny situation-based dialogue. The acting is solid. Nothing seemed to be forced and the actors worked well together and complimented each other's performances.

The plot was solid, but there were a few "I knew that was going to happen" moments. Almost like a quarterback telegraphing his pass. They don't, in any way, detract from the fun of the movie. This movie is worth seeing, not necessarily a must see, but definitely worth the cost of a video rental.