Review of Vantage Point (2008) by Guido S — 16 Feb 2014

"WHO SHOT THE PRESIDENT?".

- 'Vantage Point' is a 2008 action thriller by director Pete Travis (Dredd). I really like this clever and strong storyline that focuses on the assassination attempt on the president of the United States told from several characters with different points of view. Perfect idea that is well executed, which has a mystery-feeling to it because the truth of the puzzle is only revealed in the end. I absolutely like the cast, with Dennis Quaid (Innerspace), Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Matthew Fox (Lost) and William Hurt (The Village). Character Rex Brooks was originally male, but Travis insisted to add my favorite actress Sigourney Weaver (Alien) as strong female.

President Ashton (Hurt) is in Spain to make a very important peace treatment with other world leaders. He wants the address the many people who have gathered on the great square, when suddenly he is shot. Panic rises. Moments later a bomb goes off and makes the chaos complete. How did this happen and who is responsible? We follow the events through the eyes of tourist Howard Lewis (Whitaker) who was standing in the crowd, filming with his handycam, Secret Service Agents Thomas Barnes (Quaid) and Kent Taylor (Fox) who failed to protect the president and GNN television producer Rex Brooks (Weaver) who saw everything happen in the mobile television trailer.