Review of Ronin (1998) by Ryan L — 23 Mar 2011

"Action packed thrill-ride" is a term that has been applied to so many movies that the impacting label it aims to set on a film has faded over time. Going further, occasionally I find that this one line summary acts as a consolation prize to an action film that has failed on levels of depth and scope. That being said, Ronin is a movie I have found to be truly deserving of the positive implications of the quote above.

The film focuses around a team of ex-special forces soldiers and intelligence agents that are assembled to retrieve a heavily guarded suitcase. As the pursuit begins and plans begin to unravel, the simple goal turns into a complex spiral of betrayal, mistrust and shifting alliances.

One of the factors that contribute to this is the strength of the plot and the manner in which it is unfolded. Often times I get so wrapped up in my admiration or interest in a character that I fail to notice the frailty of the plot behind him (The Dark Knight, being one example). Further to Ronin's credit, the movie is peppered with amazing actors and dynamic characters and still I was able to keep my eyes fixed upon what was happening more than who was doing it.

This circumstance creates a rare opportunity for the viewer; a chance to separate favoritism of the films individual rolls and an opinion on the script itself. After falling in love with a lead or growing attached to a hero, a viewer's aim usually becomes parallel with that of the person he or she is intrigued with. But by parting with this phenomenon, even for a moment, you are given a chance to not only see different points of view on the happenings of the film, but a more objective portrait of what the writer was trying to give you.

Admittedly, I still held on to a fairly strong favoritism towards to two lead rolls played by Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno. Though the lines between good and evil are blurry at first, they prove to be arguably the most honorable of the bunch by movies end. On the opposite end of the coin, I also adopted a growing dislike of the movies "villains". Seemingly absent of any likable attribute to my own taste, a converse opinion on them would make little sense. I don't wish to share this to play devils advocate with myself, but rather to show that even despite my emotions interlocking occasionally with these performers, the story and core of the film are intense enough to stray me from tunnel vision.

Another aspect about this movie that has been repeatedly celebrated is the amazing car chase scenes throughout. The director does not rely on elaborate special effects or shaky slow motion camera work, but rather on an ability to sustain lasted raw intensity. Almost everything you witness during these scenes has a realism to it that, without sounding too cliché`, puts you in the drivers seat. The shear detail and care the crew took to put them together is awe-inspiring enough to impress even those with an unprecedented interest in such features.

One of the only impediments of Ronin is the solemn undertone that is sustained through the people within it. Surrounded by action and suspense, they remain seemingly impervious to the thrills around them. It does slow things down a bit, but given the backgrounds of the individuals in the movie, it would make sense of them to remain accustom to such adventure. The dialogue is also a bit shoddy at times. Not to the point to get me cringing, but some of the conversations lack any sense of depth and it leaves times of bantering falling a bit flat. Alas, these times never last long enough to really scar the film up enough that it completely takes away from its triumphs.

At this point it feels like I've written so much about the film that I've had to riddle it with spoilers, but the fact is that I have barely scratched the surface. With its powerful delivery and constant twists and turns, it's a film that can be revisited quite often without that stale feeling repeated viewings can dish out. You'll find some familiar things here that you've seen in other actions flicks, but there is enough uniqueness to make this experience distinctive from its predecessors.

Rating: 7 out of 10.