Review of Spartan (2004) by Tony P — 28 Oct 2008

It's espionage, Mamet style. His script is tight and wicked smart, and everything after is simply the realization of his very precise vision. The story centers around the most elite operatives in the U.

S. government, a class of heroes that have been pumped up and stereotyped for years. But in Spartan, these guys feel real. Kilmer's performance channels the intelligence and cunning required to do the job, rather than the balls and the brawn.

This realism is what makes Spartan an above average thriller. The plot is complex and fast-moving, but it's damn well written. It's smarter than the average audience, so not for everyone.