Review of The Recruit (2003) by Marty H — 27 Mar 2013

There was a total of 52 plot twists in this movie....about 49, or 50 too many. I was DIZZY afterwards. Al Pacino was insanely annoying trying to play your conventional Training Day bad cop, something that should not be done too often but is sadly overdone in Hollywood. Pacino once again, gets away with his 1980's smack talk, screaming at people as if he's someone who knows all, and almost insists on getting lit up, classic gangster style in the end. How intimidating can this guy really be? It looks like he NEVER SLEEPS and spends all of his free time watching Video Cassettes (that's VHS) in seclusion with a never-ending supply of hard liquor, cocaine, and cigars piled on the table in front of him. Surprisingly, Collin Farrell didn't make me want to puke in this movie. I actually enjoyed watching him work for Director Roger Donaldson. Take away a fair amount of unnecessary plot twists and replace Pacino, then you have a potential winner. I have to say that as a young movie lover, it is sad to see Pacino look like this. It is sad to see him ruin movies. Like most people in my age group who grew up watching Scarface and the Godfather, we want to see him win. But it is safe to say that Old Al needs to travel the indie route like Bill Murray or do something to revitalize his career. 2/5.

3/27/13: I have yet to see "Old Al" play Jack Kavorkian or in his award winning role in Angels in America. Nonetheless, during that 2-year span of getting high praise for his television roles, he starred and co-starred in some of his all-time worst movies, (88 Minutes, Ocean's Thirteen, and Gigli just to name a few). I trust that Pacino will win my heart again, maybe not like he did in the Godfathers I & II, but like Bill Murray, it will be hard to compare recent success with their classic work. We are just looking for enjoyability, and good acting. The only way these aging fellows can do that is "rediscover" themselves and have fun doing what they are doing.