Review of Vantage Point (2008) by Josh M — 27 Nov 2011

Vanatage Point is a well shot, implausible and mostly diverting puzzle. Like Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' it tells its story through (I think) seven different character perspectives, in the same 10 or so minute time frame, repeated in succession. Unlike Rashomon, the story is the same each time, with some additional details. Plus, the characters in Vantage Point are one dimensional cardboard. What makes Rashomon much more interesting is that in Kurosawa's film we don't know which characters' viewpoint is true and what is not. They are self serving. In this, it's all true and consistent, and all silly.

The only meaty role here is played by Dennis Quaid, who plays a guilt ridden secret service man (he took a bullet for the President) who wants redemption for some reason, even though he's a hero. William Hurt as President and Sigourney Weaver as the TV news director have very little to challenge them and very little complexity. The terrorists are mostly interchangeable.

Director Pete Travis directs the mayhem, car chases and terrorist action beautifully. What falls down here is the silly puzzle script which is more frustrating since most people will sit through the whole thing, hoping for a interesting resolution and will be utterly let down at the end. You realize in the last ten mintues that you've been wasting your time. If you rent this and you turn your brain off, it can be a diverting ninety minutes. Bring lots of snack foods, they'll give you more sustenance than this forgettable thriller.