Ronin

Rating:
Summary: A samurai without a master
Review: Robert De Niro plays the ronin (a masterless samurai), a US spy who feels superfluous with the end of the Cold War. He joins a team of a bunch of guys like himself, all from the same background, and is hired by a woman (there's always a woman, isn't there?) to lift a suitcase of importance to two improbably dissimilar foes: Irish terrorists and the Russian mafia. As the movie follows the path of that suitcase, often handcuffed to some suited guy's wrist, more twists and possibilities appear than are factually believable.
But that's not what it's all about, not really. It's all about tension, shoot-em-up scenes, explosions, deception, a helluva terrific car chase (as obligatory as the woman in such films)...
Anyway, it's good, it's exciting, it's intense. If you haven't seen it, do.

Rating:
Summary: So, what's in the case?
Review: "Ronin" is an incredibly rare film these days, a white-knuckle action ride that makes you think, and doesn't insult your intelligence. The plot is deceptively simple; a group of mercenaries, the Ronin of the title, are brought together in Paris (France) by an Irish terrorist to acquire a particular case from a shadowy group who are willing to sell it to the highest bidder, including the Russian Mafia.

Each member of the group has a particular specialty, weapons, driving, IT, intelligence gathering etc, and has been hand picked for this one job. Information is passed to the group on an extraordinarily strict "need to know" basis, and attempts by one particular member of the group to find out what's actually inside the case, the type that ice skaters keep their skates in, and for which they could lose their lives, are continuously frustrated by this restriction. Never-the-less, plans are made and put into effect, but you know what they say about the "Best laid plans of Mice and Men?" Mayhem, double, triple and seemingly quadruple crosses ensue as the whole operation falls victim to Murphy's Law with a vengeance... "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong!"

Although Robert DeNiro is the nominal star, this is a superb ensemble cast, each one note-perfect in their role. The planners of the operation are "Deirdre" and "Seamus," played by Natascha McElhone and Jonathan Pryce respectively. McElhone positively glows in the role of the contact and go-between, and viewers who will most recently have seen Pryce as "Governor Swann" in "Pirates of the Caribbean" may be surprised by his performance here, but you may also remember him as "Cardinal Houseman" in "Stigmata," not exactly a good-guy!

"Gregor" the IT guy, played by Stellan Skarsgard, "Spence" the weapons man, played by Sean Bean, and "Larry" the driver, played by Skipp Sudduth, are three vital parts of the team. But it's "Sam" the ex Intelligence Operative, played by DeNiro, and "Vincent" the "supplies manager," played by Jean Reno, who hold your attention... and no wonder!!! DeNiro and Reno are superb in their portrayal of two world-weary men who have paid a heavy price for the lives they've lead in the shadows. Their characters strike up an unlikely friendship almost immediately, and there's a real chemistry between the two of them up on the screen that really shows through; the two of them, I think, surpassing their performances in "Heat" and "Leon" respectively.

There are three further "stars" of the film that also deserve the highest praise, the tight and economical script, the gritty European locations, primarily Nice and Paris, and two magnificent car chases. One of these is staged in the twisting, incredibly narrow back streets of Paris, and then down into it's claustrophobic underpasses (tunnels) - although NOT the one in which Princess Diana was killed - at times AGAINST the flow of traffic! These are quite possibly the greatest car chases ever committed to celluloid, incredible adrenaline charged, white-knuckle rides with not a single CGI shot in the lot. These were filmed for real, and some of the actors in the cars were genuinely afraid as they flew through the constricted streets at speeds approaching 100mph!!!

There's also an "Alternate Ending" that is superb, explains what happens to one of the main characters, and is Frankenheimer's preferred resolution to the story. Unfortunately the preview audiences hated it - too downbeat - and so we have the "Theatrical Release" ending... take a look and make up your own mind, I just wish they could have "branched" it seamlessly into the film. All in all this is an excellent and intelligent thriller, one I would definitely put in the same class as the two "French Connections," and "Heat."

And finally we come to the question of... "WHAT'S IN THE CASE?"

One of the main criticisms of the film, both when it was released and in some of these reviews, is that "What's in the case" was never fully explained. What follows is MY interpretation... so please don't read any further if you haven't seen the film yet and don't want a major plot-spoiler revealed, but DO come back after you've watched the film and see if your interpretation agrees with my own!

Both Deirdre and Seamus are Irish terrorists, and the film is set during the run-up to the current cease-fire between the IRA and the British government. At the very end of the film, and within days of the death of Seamus and the recovery of the case, we hear a BBC news broadcast saying that the cease-fire is now in effect, and that Seamus was a rogue element within the Organization. So, what could fit inside a skater's case that would make an isolated fanatical terrorist not only be willing to double-cross his own people, but also go up against the Russian Mob? Gold? Diamonds? Counterfeit currency? An as-yet unseen Paris Hilton vid?! No, in my opinion the case contains a "Suitcase Nuke" that Seamus was probably planning to detonate outside Buckingham Palace! Makes sense to me... and I hope you enjoyed this film as much as I did!!!

Rating:
Summary: best driving scenes ever
Review: This film has the best ultra high speed pursuits I've ever seen on film. Bullit, Vaninshing Point, French Connection all taken exponentially higher. The video and sound editing are phenomenal. The driving and sound are as real as the sound editing in the shootout in Heat.

Rating:
Summary: DeNiro and pals go after a suitcase filled with action
Review: its quick and its great with a good cast starring Robert DeNiro(City By The Sea, Raging Bull, ShowTime), Jean Reno(Leon The Professional, Godzilla1998, Rollerball2001), Natasha McElhone(The Truman Show, Solaris2002), Stellan Skarsgard(Deep Blue Sea, Savior, The Glass House), Sean Bean(Dont Say A Word, GoldenEye, Patriot Games), Jonathan Pryce(Regeneration, Tomorrow Never Dies) , Skipp Sudduth(tv's Third Watch) and others bring this movie its spark. the premise is DeNiro and company go after a suitcase and then half way in things start to go array and some of his members turn on him. good car chases. Kataria Witt plays her self in the ice skating scene

Rating:
Summary: Great action, great dialogue
Review: I'm still not quite sure why David Mamet used a pseudonym in the credits, but the movie absolutely drips with his rhythms of speech. It complements the action well, otherwise the movie would be a bore outside of the car chases. The unique element is the band of mercenaries who cannot trust each other long enough to complete their mission. The cast is great: De Niro and Jonathan Pryce are Mamet veterans. Jean Reno is quite at home playing the Jean Reno character. Natasha McElhone is painfully beautiful, and one of the most capable actresses working today. She more than holds her own with the boys. But the movie's greatest strength isn't the actors or Mamet's hypnotic chit-chat, but Frankenheimer's car chases, which are "au natural". Nobody working with digital effects has generated the same level of excitement and realism, no matter what genre. The European locations are great, the cars are great, and the characters are well-rounded. Oh, and we've got a suitcase filled with who-knows-what, a la "Pulp Fiction."

Rating:
Summary: been there, done that--better
Review: I could write on this movie at great length, except I can put it more succinctly--this has been done many times before, by many different people, in many different styles and they are ALL so much better done that you shouldn't bother with this one. Great cast--makes you wonder what the producer had on them to make them waste their time (and ours) on this.
Biggest plot device to keep us in suspense--don't tell us anything about anything!
Biggest surprise at the end--none!
Least surprise--what was in the case they have all been chasing since the get-go. Not even the writer could figure out anything that would make sense, so they NEVER come up with anything!!!

Find anything else to watch and go for it--don't bother with this. Not worth it--even to see DeNiro.

Rating:
Summary: Very good film - GREAT car chases!
Review: For some reason this seems to be an easily forgotten movie by many. I'll mention it in conversation, and most people look at me as if to say "Ronin? a movie? with De Niro?" I don't know how this can be though, as it stands out in my mind. De Niro, as usual, is excellent, but the supporting roles by Jean Reno and Sean Bean definitely stand out. Oh, did I mention it has a car chase or two?

As car chases go, I always considered the best to be The French Connection and Bullitt, but I think Ronin takes the crown. Part of it is the European setting, where everything is smaller, tighter, and just magnified. The other component is the camera-work, which puts you right in the action. You feel like you're part of the chase, not just a bystander about to be run over.

I think this film is one of those easily overlooked gems that you should go out and watch immediately!

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: Could have been better if we knew what was in the case!

Rating:
Summary: Get the Case!
Review: This is a gritty, cold war drama without the cold war. The old pro at this sort of thing, John Frankenheimer, does it up right with this extremely well done film. This is the world of men with guns and cars, and Frankenheimer really excels at portraying this dangerous culture that exists right beneath the one you and I live in. The plot is perfect: There exists a case that everyone must have: the French, the Russians, and the IRA. The Irish put together a team of highly trained, out-of-work and somewhat tainted international professionals (thus the title of the film) to get it. Simple as that. Everyone chases the case, killing and double crossing all the way. This is a movie filled with men creeping in and out of shadows, walking like small swat teams through crowds of normal people, and coming together often in very realistic gun battles. In other words, just what the doctor ordered after your girlfriend sweet talks you into watching 'Titanic' or some Merchant Ivory snooze fest one more goddamn time.

The DVD insert explains how Frankenheimer went to great lengths to assure realism in this movie, and it shows. Everything is stark and nearly sepia colored, the streets of Paris (where the movie begins) resemble an open, dripping sewer. Also, the car chase scene is an actual tire-squealing, engine-overdriving, steel crunching car chase ' without digital help or ridiculous comic book stunts. Just high-performance cars tearing through the streets with muscular precision. This car chase will probably be remembered in the same class as the classic car romp in 'Bullett' (though I have to say, I still prefer Steve McQueen behind the wheel of that extremely buffed GT Mustang).

The tone is real, and the cast is well chosen: De Niro, of course, is always the seasoned pro, just like the character, Sam, he plays in the film. The scene where he calls out Spence (Sean Bean) is a whole lot of fun. Spence is a one of the professionals contracted for the job, and he and Sam don't get along from the get-go. You see it coming from the beginning, and when it comes it doesn't disappoint. Jonathan Pryce is a scary surprise as the nearly demented, lethal IRA rouge, Seamus; and Jean Reno (Vincent) is so completely word-weary and French, you sense that after he killed you he would feel very sad about it.

I'm not sure why, but this movie really improves with second or third viewings. Perhaps it is the statuesque, ice-melting presence of Katarina Witt, who has a small but important part in the film as a, well, statuesque, ice-melting Russian figure skater. Talk about perfect casting!

Rating:
Summary: Buy it!
Review: One of the best movies I own and I watch it once or twice a year, great car chases.