Rating: Summary: Just the Ticket Review: I just loved this movie. Everytime I re-see it I know I want Crown's life! It was almost as if Brosnan was saying "Look guys, this is what a real James Bond movie ought to be". It's difficult not to compare with "The World is Not Enough" which I rated with a 3 star. Russo was smouldering, the locations - especially St Martin - fabulous. This is a must have DVD for any serious collection.
Rating: Summary: They got it right the second time around Review: It's as though the first time, with McQueen and Dunaway in 1968, was a rehearsal. I've always loved that original "Thomas Crown Affair," especially for Michel Legrand's achingly beautiful score. (And, sure, everybody was humming "Windmills of Your Mind," but do you remember "His Eyes, Her Eyes," the mastersong of the old soundtrack?) However, I have to admit that the new version is ever so much more than the old--more complex, more humane, more entertaining. For example, the original revolves around a bank robbery with a noisy chase scene and shoot'em up--action-flick business as usual. The new starts with a devilishly intricate two-stage heist, bloodless and nearly invisible, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and instead of mundane money, the thief's object is something that, arguably, really matters. Instead of the original chess game that turns into a multi-minute kiss, shot at 36 stylish angles in dizzying spins and effects, we now have a dance sequence whose real star is the lighting designer--omigawd, what IS Russo wearing? The brittle, brutal, male-female guessing game of 1968 becomes a 1999 psychosexual engagement between two formidable opponents, each--to their great surprise--worthy of the other. What will win out in the end, ego or the urge to merge? the script asks (and Dunaway asks too, this time appearing as Brosnan's Sybillic therapist, who seems to be peering with amused detachment through a long lens at the past). The film builds and unfolds, playfully spilling the amassed symbolism into the final action sequence in the Met as the perfect heist is reprised. And, at the end of the movie, as Sting exquisitely sings the 1968 theme song over the 1999 credits, you realize not only "That the autumn leaves are turning / To the color of her hair," but also that you've seen two immense heists and a lot of suspense without a single on-screen death or even a gun. Is this why some people insist it's not an action film? I say bravo. And I'll buy the video as soon as the price goes down. :^)
Rating: Summary: Dumb. Uneventful. Review: At one point it seemed like Rene Russo's nudity was thrown in just for kicks.
Rating: Summary: THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR Review: Well acted by both Brosnan and Russo, who for the first time was absolutely stunning. The sexual chemistry between the two was awesome. Good story - I haven't seen the original which sometimes helps. Excellent twist at the end. Hope to see Brosnan and Russo together in future films.
Rating: Summary: A truly sophisticated comedy/mystery Review: This film has an excellent mix of action, comedy, and mystery. It's not really a "Who did it?" so much as a "How the heck did he do it?". This movie was a refreshing change from the no attention span, shallow humor standard. It gives a more sophisticated brand of humor and interaction between characters from the down to earth police to the "very rich, very silly" people. For all the Bond fans this movie was more of a Bond than the latest Bond. The notable exception being Thomas Crown is the Anti-Bond, the criminal version of. Overall this was an excellent movie and is at the very least the best movie I've seen in the past few years.
Rating: Summary: Superb Thriller Review: Excellent,intelligent,witty. In Brosnan and Russo you have two of the hottest movie stars around. The screen almost melts whenever the two of them are together on screen. The action set pieces are superbly handled by director McTiernan ( as you would expect from the director of Die Hard and Hunt for Red October ). Great supprting piece as well by Dennis Leary. If you have'nt seen this yet then get it now. You are in for a real treat. Watch out for the steamy dance sequence between Russo and Brosnan. Do you want to dance or do you want to dance ?
Rating: Summary: Unsatisfying escapism Review: Disappointing remake of an original that was less than perfect itself. Russo substitutes for Dunaway, but carries less credibility, erotic vigor and self-confidence; Brosnan sits in for McQueen, but is a more pedestrian version of the covert businessman/player. The production is slick, and many of the supporting actors are effective, but ultimately this picture makes the lives of modern jet-setters look dorky, pretentious, and unromantic.
Rating: Summary: A mature and intellegent film Review: I saw this movie in the theater and have rented it 6 times since to show to friends. The more I watch it, the more I come to apperciate the complex and well developed characters. It wasn't one of your predictable-teenage films. I was very impressed!
Rating: Summary: Compare & Contrast Review: I don't like the original version of The Thomas Crowne Affair. I've never thought much of Faye Dunaway as an actress, and Steve McQueen did not play suave. On the other hand, Rene Russo is a good actress, and if anything, Pierce Brosnan (aka Remington Steele, aka James Bond) knows his suave. Add a better action director in John McTiernan, a tighter script, good supporting work from Denis Leary, and 30 years of technology and you end up with a better film. The DVD is what you'd expect from a recent film, very clean video and good sound. The director's commentary lacks energy or interest, but you do learn the odd tidbit about the social structure of Barbados, the limits of infrared cameras, class D catamarans, and cold water mirages.
Rating: Summary: Hollywood Style Review: If you enjoy movies with clever and coherent plots, elegant characters, sensuality, humor, gorgeous photography, great music, and lots of classic Hollywood style, the new version of "The Thomas Crown Affair" is a movie you must see. 'Tis a rare movie that I'll watch several times - I saw this one twice in the theater and have watched the DVD three times already. Interestingly enough, another of those rare movies that I'll watch several times is another feature directed by John McTiernan: "Hunt for Red October."
|