Rating: 
Summary: WELL WRITTEN AND SUSPENSFUL
Review: A rare breed of movie these days. IT WAS WELL WRITTEN!!!A finely crafted and excellently performed movie by all parties. At first, it wasn't quite what I had expected, but once I realized what I was watching, I didn't care. A gripping story that keeps growing and growing. REDFORD and PITT play world class spies who are coming under fire by their own. Redford twists, turns and leads you through the movie masterfully. Playing his interrogaters like a fiddle and playing the audience at the same time. The information slips out faguely, just enough to keep you wondering until the next thing happens. This was the great thing done by the writers and producers of the film. In essence, the interrogaters are trying to figure out the story, as is the audience, therefore, both are one in the same. It took a world class acting job to pull this movie off, and Redford did it. Thus, at least securing consideration for an OSCAR.
Rating:
Summary: Good Film with Powerful Characters
Review: This film came as a mild shock to me, as I was expecting something more action oriented; but truthfully, I am more impressed for its lack of no-holds-barred adventure in favor of perhaps the more accurate and intelligent aspect of what is involved in the "Spy Game." Many fans may be slightly disappointed to find Brad Pitt taking a lesser place in the story to Robert Redford, but in all honesty, Redford does a good job, not failing to carry the film along with him. The movie is pleasantly told in a mixture of scenes taking Redford through trademark deductions around no more locales than the CIA base at Langley and also of flashbacks that hark back to his lifelong career and mentorship with Brad Pitt's character. The fact that so much of the film was told in flashbacks, scattered throughout time periods, settings, and historical events, offered a lot of variety to what is happening on screen, and could do nothing more than work in the film's favor. The only real downside to these windows into the past was that the filmmakers often found it necessary to tag a token pop song from the era to the transition, making it seem silly at best and truly insulting to the integrity of the audience's imagination. So over-utilized was this technique that you could see the flashbacks a mile away, as the strained chords of a rock band slowly rose in the CIA board room. But, alas, this is simply nitpicking. Tony Scott's direction is what is to be expected if you've ever witnessed any of his other films: eccentric, maddeningly capricious, and stylistically fast-forwarded to intensify the sense of urgency. Fortunately, he usually knows when NOT to use such a style and settle on simply capturing the images correctly; oftentimes, the direction comes across as just a little too ambitious, hurting the momentum of the scene, but meanwhile capturing some truly superb images that any director would have likewise been sorry to dispose of (the rooftop scene comes to mind). A special applause is also granted to Harry Gregson Williams who manages to create a film score outside of the traditional nonsensical noise, and instead incorporate emotional vocals and some effective techno beats. Perhaps most admirable in the script is its ability to incorporate the obligatory love story within the confines of the film and not make it feel hokey or overly sentimental; too many a film has been ruin by over-embellishment of an unbelievable romantic encounter, and fortunately Spy Game is not one of them. Moreover, this yields a powerful and truly satisfying climax/conclusion that is escalated so by the precarious but ultimately familial relationship that is revealed between Pitt and Redford through the various flashback sequences. Looking on the film's conclusion from a very selective standpoint, I don't see any intentionally awe-inspiring climax to chill the audience with the sheer vehemence and size of the conclusion, and perhaps because of the absence of any such grand spectacle, we are able to understand the more accurate representation of the CIA and, more importantly, the intimate relationships of our main characters. In the end, there is no great urgency, no impending cataclysm, only the subtle yet powerful ideas of camaraderie and forgiveness. And so this film succeeds in most respects, creating a more accurate rendition of the problem solving, backstabbing, and behind-the-scenes activities that it takes to be a spy. Mix into this successful and tense tale the superb interrelationship among characters and a very powerful film is created. Moreover, perhaps its greatest trait is that it knows how to be subtle and to not ruin everything it has working for it with over the top adventure stunts that would only sacrifice the underlying perfection of this film.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent spy thriller.
Review: I really enjoyed this movie. Robert Redford was great as the sly CIA operative. I'm not much of a Brad Pitt fan, but he was OK in this movie. Good story until the end where it turns into a typical cliche type movie where the "hero" (Pitt) falls in love with the beautifull "asset" and puts his life/career in jeopardy in order to keep her. From that point on it becomes pretty predictable. We all have to realize that Hollywood is so completely lacking in originality that they can't come up with anything new. I guess they threw that in to keep the woman audience interested. Until that point, it was a very original movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Got played?
Review: "It's not how you play the game. It's how the game plays you." No truer words have spoken on this hard lesson of love, lust and relationship. Thanks to "Spy Game", we now learn there is another arena where 'players' play - espionage. And it involves three individuals: Robert Redford - the player, Brad Pitt - the played, and Catherine McCormack - the bait. The film opens with the capture of an espionage agent Tom Bishop (Pitt). News of his capture reaches a retiring CIA operative Nathan Muir (Redford), his one-time teacher. In a cross-examination by the CIA brasses, Muir narrates the career profile of his one-time protégé via a series of flashback sequences. Espionage looks exciting, if Bishop's life is any indication - tremendous explosions, people getting killed, many heated arguments with superiors, and sleeping with a total stranger. A good director also helps, and Tony Scott is to be commended for his visually stunning treatment of the sequences. Each is a riveting yet grim presentation of a day in the life of a spy. You'd think you're watching a full-length episode in each sequence. Within 24 hours, Muir plays the biggest game of his life to rescue Bishop, after finding out that his mission was to rescue, of all things, a female prisoner Elizabeth Hadley (McCormack) who is imprisoned in China and whom Bishop frequently sleeps with. Errr... no, they are not in love, not really. There are no exchanges of "I love you" between the two. "Spy Game" shows that Muir can still play the game very well even in his retirement. If the movie attempts to convey that true love conquers all even in the world of espionage, it is overshadowed by Muir's playing ways. Scott needed a conclusion that does not ooze a romantic happily-ever-after schmuck to screenwriter Michael Frost Beckner's masterpiece. So he had the leading spotlight on Muir, and in the process relegating Bishop to a flashback character by downplaying Bishop's daring prison rescue. Little of Bishop is shown after his capture, except in the flashbacks. And Scott makes it clear that Bishop's own rescue is Muir's design. Clearly, Muir is the biggest player of all. He played Bishop and the CIA bosses, though one would wonder if he played himself by spending his retirement savings to spring Bishop and his partner from prison. More importantly, why would he even care for someone whom he no longer is on speaking and professional terms with for more than 5 years? Bishop, as smart as he thinks he is, never realizes that he is being played by Muir and, to a lesser degree, Hadley - no better bait than sexual temptation. Speaking of Hadley, her character background is unknown. Aside from a brief explanation why she had to flee London and her global charity service, that is little factoid about her. Her presence in the film is clear: to feed Bishop's sexual fix. It seems that the only reason why he goes out to rescue her from a communist prison is so that he can bed her once more. But wait a minute! Why is a woman imprisoned in an all-men's prison? (Look, I know this is China, and last time I checked, the Chinese do not practice co-ed housing!) But seriously, McCormack's talent is wasted here. She is quite alluring as Bishop's squeeze sporting a British accent, but nothing in her performance stands out or is remotely memorable. Pitt, on the other hand, is a fantastic character actor. He is in fine form here, and works very well with Redford in heightening the tensions between their characters, and is very convincing in his own scenes too. Redford, unfortunately, is an old bag by himself. He is clearly past his prime and would have been stiff if it was not for his cast members that shared scenes with him. His best moments are with Pitt, though there are not many of them. He is also good opposite Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who plays his secretary Gladys. In his own scenes, which includes 10-plus minutes of phone dialogue, he is uninteresting. He is a little better when cross-examined by the CIA brasses in the conference room. By the end of "Spy Game", we see two types of espionage: the field agent (Bishop) and the executive spook (Muir). The former profiled in flashback narration, the latter by his "real" time activities. It would help facilitate your viewing pleasure if you approach "Spy Game" as a character drama film first and action film second. Expect just an action film, and you will be played. But remember, "Don't hate the player, hate the game."
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best of its kind
Review: This is a very good film and is superior to tony scott's Enemy of the State. This is because the plot is more intricate and action is sacrificed in favor of plot. The acting is excellent all around with a very charming and sophisticated redford and a more dynamic but equally good Pitt who shows he has plenty of talent. The very beautiful catherine McCormack is also very effective as a displaced aid worker in Beirut. I think the film is strongest in its Beirut story. Unlike other deptictions of Middle eastern 'fun spots' this Beirut depiction that shows both the brutality and freedom that exist in an anarchical situation comes closest to showing what life must have been like in beirut during its civil war. The details are superb. Waiters are wearing bow ties and elegant uniforms when just newarby shots are being fired by rival militias. Bars are still operating despite the puritanical efforts of Hizbollah and the details of motorcades (whoever has been to the Middle east will apprecite the accuracy of these scenes)are excellent.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Film
Review: If you want an action packed movie with bits of drama and humor this is definitley the movie to see. It is Enemy of The State and Top Gun times 10. Spy Game is an original piece which has great acting from Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. It all takes place within 24 hours.
Rating:
Summary: My two major issues with this movie
Review: Ok first off, the one point in the movie that annoyed me the most is how they show the HongKong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) building and label it the US CONSULATE!!!!! (...) What the director did is the equivalent of showing the World Trade centre and labelling it the Afghan Embassy!!!!! Such blatant disinformation scares me.
That being said, the other part of this movie which annoyed me was when Brad Pitt criticizes Robert Redford's tactics. (...)
Those two major points aside, the rest of movie has some suspense, and holds the interest for most of the movie, it is well done, and has lots of style, and the scenery changes from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to America continuously. Of course, I think Brad Pitt could have had a much bigger role, he was reduced to very little. So in the end I'd have to say that this movie could've been a great spy movie, but failed to live up.
Rating:
Summary: Spy Game
Review: Brad Pitt and Robert Redford reunite for the first time since "A River Runs Through It". Last time they were together, Robert Redford was behind the camera, but this time he is on the big screen as well. This combination should be enough to make this movie a huge boxoffice hit. When younger, Brad Pitt was compared to Robert Redford many times, but now that Brad Pitt has grown into an incredible actor of his own, he will show everybody that he is completely different from Robert Redford. And this movie will showcase tremendous amounts of talent that they both possess. The Spy Game is a mind game thriller. It is about a CIA agent Nathan Muir(Robert Redford) who must rescue a young protege Tom Bishop(Brad Pitt) who got caputured by the Chinese. Catherine McCormack is also in the movie. Tony Scott (who directed True Romance, which also stars Brad Pitt), Ridley Scott's younger brother is the director. Redford and Pitt's reunion will interest many people into going watching this movie. Watching these great actors' talent should be enough to give this movie five stars, but the deep and interesting plot makes it even better. Tony Scott has described the movie, "Mind games with injections of extreme action." Brad Pitt has also commented on the film, "The film deals with America's foreign policy during the Cold War and after the Cold War. There's a term in the CIA called 'blowback,' the unintentiona; repercussions of our actions. The movie is about how we may have been causing more damage than good-all in the name of democracy-and that maybe America has been No. 1 just a little too long."
Rating: 
Summary: A thrilling disappointment
Review: I was prepared to really like this film. It's funny; almost everything about it is great. The editing is pretty good (although I thought the timestamps were a bit over the top). The performances were strong and clean. Even the screenplay was good - some nice unexpected twists and turns. But this movie needed stronger direction to pull it together. There were gaps and jumps and events that seemed unexplained. I saw this with two other people, and as we were leaving the theatre, we were asking questions about things related to plot. No clues. No build-up. Just thrown in to figure out later. Sorry! This movie was all over the place. Two stars.
Rating:
Summary: Bring your chapstick.
Review: I liked this movie. I have a feeling that it might seem politically complicated to many people who have managed to never let things like Beirut, Tiananmen Square, Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and other events like them under their skin. But, if that is the case, I suggest those individuals not worry about it. The movie has less to do with it's various settings (which are nearly wholly fictitious) and more to do with people, and with a changing government that allows one to fall by the wayside. Spy Game is an entertaining, political thriller, less spectacular than the Bond series, but just as much of a chess game for the audience. It is clever and well thought out. It is long, though it seems just the right length. The two lead actors do as wonderful a job as one might expect and the supporting cast seem to fare just as well. I only have one complaint really, that affected my viewing pleasure. Robert Redford's lips have aged so much, and the lines digging into his mouth are so striking that I felt as if my own lips were chapped just watching him. That said, bring chapstick and enjoy this film.
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