Review of Basic (2003) by Rod E — 01 Jan 2013

Basic is directed by John McTiernan, who has made some action classics like Die Hard and Predator. While this isn't an entirely action movie it is more of a thriller and it surprisingly works to a degree.

It's entertaining, John Travolta is good and charming here, Samuel L is decent, it's got twists ala Rashomon and Usual Suspects throughout. Sometimes the music is cliched and weak and some actors have questionable accents.

Probably the worst thing in this is Giovanni Ribisi and his scenes in the hospital. Travolta is an actor that I like a lot and get burned because he is in a lot of crap. Can you blame him though? Here is 20 million dollars to make a crappy movie.

.ok. Here he is a character that knows how to roll with the twists and turns of the plot. One of the things I liked about Basic was how it keeps you guessing, which some people will find contrived but I was entertained by.