Review of The Recruit (2003) by Miguel P — 27 Nov 2009

You know I like good conspiracy movies. You never know who the hero can trust. Or even if the hero himself is the bad guy. That's what attracts from these movies. Nothing is what it seems. So The Recruit does offer that but it's very distracting with over the top details and a weak plot.

Colin Farrell is good here and as well as Al Pacino who is always incredible. Pacino can make the worst role realistic. It's well made and the twist and turns are good. However once these truths come out, the film doesen't move with it. The film is stylish and fast but the plot is left behind. We start asking ourselves but wait did they do this, but wait minute he did this a long time ago.

As well as events that is not explain but wait why did this man die, so we get a two minute explaination but then a twist comes which leaves the audience guessing. The film at the end forces it self to a chase scence and, the unavoidable cliche of the villian telling the hero his master plan. Walking really slowly to tell him. The Bourne Identity seris was a conspiracy thriller, but it left the chase scences to the side. We were able to see the characters on the screen develop and the plot runs smoothly.

The film saved it self from a D from me because of one thing. Farrel and Pacino was good together, Colin was able to hold his ground with Pacino. If I was a actor and had to work with an experince actor like that, my guts would be tied up.

MP Grade C-.