Rating: 
Summary: often too slow to keep your attention
Review: Summary:
Jim Street (Colin Farrell) is a young member of the LAPD SWAT team and is partnered with the freewheeling Brian Gamble (Jeremy Renner), whose disregard for authority gets them both kicked off the team. Jim, however, doesn't want to throw away his career in SWAT, so he humbles himself, a little bit anyway, and does his best to work his way back onto the team.His return is facilitated by the re-hiring of a previous SWAT leader, Sgt. Dan 'Hondo' Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson), who used to be in charge of the LAPD's SWAT team, but apparently was also controversial. LAPD Capt. Thomas Fuller (Larry Poindexter) decides that the LAPD needs some positive publicity, so he brings Hondo back to head up a new SWAT team made up of the 'best and brightest'. Hondo chooses Jim Street, along with Chris Sanchez (Michelle Rodriguez), David 'Deke' Kay (LL Cool J), Michael Boxer (Brian Van Holt), and T.J. McCabe (Josh Charles). Together they are a great team, but they are quickly put to the test when the leader of an international drug cartel, Alex Montel (Olivier Martinez), is caught by the LAPD but tells the news media that he will give whoever breaks him out of jail $100 million. Of course, every bad guy in L.A. seeps out of the woodwork to try to claim the money. Hondo's SWAT team is put in charge of protecting the witness and preventing his escape. Eventually, Brian Gamble, Jim's former partner, masterminds a plan to get him out and nearly gets away with it, but for Hondo's team. The result is a predictable final showdown between Street and Gamble. My Comments:
I went into this movie hoping that it would focus on the elements of action flicks that work (lots of cool stunts, fighting, etc.) and not the ones that don't (romance, subplots, etc.). Thankfully it keeps the majority of the subplots so far below the primary story that the movie works fairly well. It still has its problems, but it is much better off for having opted out of trying to incorporate too much. As far as the story goes, you obviously have to suspend belief for the major plot point - a drug cartel leader offering $100 million for someone to break him out of jail. It would never happen. But once you get past that part, the story is okay. The movie does get very slow at times, which isn't a good idea for an action flick. For instance, there is a lot of footage of Hondo putting together the team. This is a lot of boring, dead space. There are also the scenes of the team's training. Because it is a collage of shots and doesn't really go into their training in any depth, it isn't at all interesting. It's more like an inexpensive filler between action scenes (which are generally expensive). Also, the movie glosses over most of the subplots, which is kind of nice. For instance, Street is dating Boxer's sister when the movie begins, but for some, unexplained reason, their relationship falls apart. This comes up several times during the movie, but is never really the focus of attention. There are also backstories for most of the characters (Boxer and T.J. being the exceptions). And, finally, there is the conflict between Gamble and Street, that drives the climactic showdown, though I should note that the 'climactic showdown' is more of a dark letdown. It's essentially a 2 minute fist fight between Gamble and Street in near pitch black conditions that ends when Street hits Gamble into a moving train, killing him. This could have been an okay finale, but because you can't see what is going on, it's not convincing. You really can't tell who is who, or even if they are the actual actors. The acting is bearable. I can't really think of anyone that was absolutely terrible, but neither was anyone great. I guess you could say the acting is better than in many action flicks, but only about as good as you can expect from an action flick. If you go into this movie with the expectation that you are just going to see a rather mindless action film, you shouldn't be too disappointed. The only disappointment will come from the slow pace. The movie could really be cut down 20 to 30 minutes without making much of a difference for the plot. I'd recommend this movie for action film fans, just don't expect more than the action and be ready for the slow parts.
Rating: 
Summary: SWAT - Sorry Waste of Actors' Time
Review: There was no story here - it seems like they went through and took bits and pieces of the 70's show to come up with this film. It was a waste of some pretty good actors' time - it was just plain dumb. The writer(s) and filmmakers figured they had a prefab hit so no creativity went into its making. It's your basic - outsider is brought in to build a team of rebels who, in the end, beat the bad guys and impress the authority figure they were rebelling against. Even the borrowed use of cutting to video screens (as a "hip" technique) was old and tired.
Rating: 
Summary: Favorite Movie of the Year
Review: I loved this movie; it was my favorite movie this year. I saw it twice and I enjoyed it just as much the second time. The men are very hot, the music is loud and aggressive, and the action is as loud and violent as can be expected in any big action movie. As the rare female who enjoys action movies but usually has to suffer through watching the male heroes save stupid, scantily-clad women then get "rewarded" by them, I'm happy to the report that S.W.A.T. has none of that crap. The only female character is part of the team. I felt great after seeing it and I can't wait for it to be relased on dvd. Since I buy dvds only for the movie itself, I shouldn't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Bloated, LOAD remake of 70s TV show...what more to say?
Review: No, it's not very good but what can be expected of a show based on a dullish 70s (short lived) TV show? There wasn't too much material there to begin with. At least it wasn't based on a Disneyworld Theme Ride. It begins with a little promise of some real story about SWAT sniper Jim Street (up and coming Irish hottie Colin Farrell, who does an utterly convincing American accent) who has both career and girl friend troubles. Street's lifestyle, apartment etc., are presented realistic for a change -- he's not a fantasy cop living in a condo overlooking the ocean -- and the early action and training scenes when he gets back into SWAT are convincing. It goes downhill in the 2nd half with an absurd "caper" involving a French billionaire drug dealer who offers ONE HUNDRED MEEELYYYION DOLLARS if some thug will bust him out of prison. Oliver Martinex, marginally convincing in last year's "Unfaithful" is utterly ridiculous in this role, although he didn't have a chance since the part is written absurdly. He too young, slightly built and "fashion model-ish" to be menacing, plus how scary are the FRENCH anyhow? Samuel L. Jackson and Michelle Rodriguez are wasted in this. Jackson reprises his unexceptional role in "The Negotiator", to no great effect, and Rodriguez -- the rare actress who can believably come across as physically tough -- is just a PC addition to the rainbow coalition cast. She is given literally NOTHING to do, not even fire her weapon. There is a vague suggestion that she and Farrell's character will or have hooked up romantically, but something was left on the cutting room floor and this plotline isn't developed. The filmakers clearly haven't got a clue what to do with a female SWAT officer. The rest of the cast are treated with such indifference, they barely register. Soundtrack is annoying and extremely LOUD, apparently designed for a urban audience close to deafness from listening to very loud boomboxes. This is a hugely irritating trend in action movies lately and is totally out of control. SWAT units are an interesting part of the police force, and it's too bad that an ORIGINAL (non 70s TV series) script could not have been developed, especially one focusing on female officers in a male dominated arena. This movie lets down in virtually all aspects. Just a by the book, loud action flick with no character development and relying on noisy violence instead of the precision and cleverness one would normally associate with SWAT. Only worth renting for the testostorone impaired.
Rating:
Summary: S.W.A.T.
Review: This was probably the best action movie I have ever seen... Actually it's probably the best movie I've even seen. With an oustanding preformance by, Colin Farrel. This fast paced movie keeps you going. Personally I can't wait for S.W.A.T. to be realeased on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Colin Ferrell :)
Review: Not only does this movie have hottie Colin Ferrell in it, it is also a great movie. There is a lot of action and its funny. The story line is good with a suprising twist. I must say the only reason I went to see this movie in the first place was because of Colin Ferrell, but I was suprised to see that is was actully good.
Rating: 
Summary: Either you're SWAT or you're not
Review: This DVD inspired me to drop out of school and go into the Navy and eventually become a member on a SWAT team. Colin Farrell you're the man.
Rating:
Summary: lots of action and muscles
Review: dont find logic in this movie but the sequencing of action are great and Farrell is pumped and primed in the lead. Jackson is great as Farrell's boss. Martinez(the bad guy) seems miscast though. LL Cool J and Michelle Rodriquez flame and spark good supporting roles. also starring Josh Charles of Tv's Sports Night. basically for action junkies or fans of all the stars.
Rating:
Summary: Standard Issue Action Film. Like One Extended TV Episode
Review: The star of this mildly entertaining action Colin Farrell admits that he decided to be in it because of Sam Jackson's participation. And "S.W.A.T." opens with hostage situation just like another Sameul L Jackson film "The Negotiator." Then you realize that director of "S.W.A.T." Clark Johnson has not the same skill to show the tension F Gary Grey successfuly did. Actually, "S.W.A.T" is quite entertaining, but what it shows in 2 hours can be seen in such better movies as I mentioned. There are gun-shots, hard training, friendship and so on, but all of them are thrown into a rather stretched running time of the film that looks like one extended episode of TV cop drama. And you know that "S.W.A.T" is a remake of 70s TV series, and Clark Johnson is known as actor in TV's "Homicide" (as Detective Lewis), some of which are directed by him. The story has potential. Arrested drug king Tom Cruise-lookalike Olivier Martinez ("Unfaithful") states before the gathering TV cameras that he will give $100 million to anyone who succeeds in freeing him from the police. Many greedy guys rejoice in their prospective fortune, and put their makeshift plans into practice. Interesting, to be sure. But the film, to reach the boiling point, takes too much time. It looks as if we have seen two one-hour TV episodes, one ending with "TO BE CONTINUED," and then are plunged into real actions. So those who love helicopters and shooting have to fidget for a while, waiting for the actions to kick start. And actions. They are not bad at all. In fact, they are competently staged, but nothing unique or innovative. Some dialogues (including self-referential ones) are interesting, and Sam and Colin give good acting, but they are just standard-issue ones. You know Sam Jackson's best is not this one (where is Kevin Spacey?) You also see Josh Charles, LL Cool J, Jeremy Renner, Brian Van Holt, and Michelle Rodriguez, politically correct casting, but they have little to do, nor to surprise us. Like I said before, it's TV origin is, in that sense, too obvious, and that makes the movie version of "S.W.A.T." looks like a real pedestrian actioner. Still, it's a great theme song.
Rating:
Summary: S.W.A.T. Hits the Bullseye
Review: Of the films released this year, I felt that S.W.A.T., was one of the most satisfying ways to spend seven dollars. A thrilling ride from start to finish, if you're loking for a simple, basic action flick, this one is for you. The acting in this film was superb, but what else can be expected from a film starring Samuel L. Jackson. If you're looking for a good way to spend a couple hours, give S.W.A.T. a look, as it will satisfy your action cravings! I give this film 4 stars.
| 
