Review of Conspiracy Theory (1997) by Blanky A — 27 May 2010

Conspiracy Theory is a tolerable but unspectacular movie until it starts showing us that Jerry's fears are real. Someone is really after him. Instead of toying with the suspense - has Jerry really stumbled upon a conspiracy? - Donner gives away the plot and that only leaves us with chases and explosions and gun fire. Conventional noisy stuff. That's the biggest problem with this movie: Donner strips away character so all that remains are the pyrotechnics - as if Donner is only comfortable as a filmmaker when helicopters are swirling around the actors and grenade launchers are blowing buildings into splinters.

To justify its huge running time, Donner has built Conspiracy Theory into a bloated suspense/thriller - regardless of how that approach trounces on the character of Jerry Fletcher and makes the entire movie ludicrous. Conspiracy Theory is a huge disappointment, because it could have been miles better...