Reviews: Spy Game

[JoBlo]

JoBlo's 7/10 review of SPY GAME can be found here: http://www.joblo.com/spygame.htm

And what did you think of the movie? Add your comments below.

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[DieHardBruceFan]

I totally agree with JoBlo on this one. This is a very well made flick by Tony Scott but don't expect an action film. This movie is all story--and a good one at that. Thankfully, the script is smart and the acting and direction is top-notch. A solid spy film.

[Smitty]

Thumbs up but just on two counts: star power and versimultude. Redford and Pitt hit it off nicely. Not openly buddy - buddy, but teacher - student. You know, realistic what you might expect in the 'spy game.' And everything feels kind of real, especially the scenes in Beirut. Only complaint is: takes a bit for Redford to set up his scheme. Kind of like Mission Impossible with a one man team moving slowly and cautiously. Overall all though, a thinking man's visit to the movies.

[darkface]

I think this movie was great. All that i expected and more. It's different from the movies that have been coming out and we needed a change. Especially one with a good script. Pitt did a great job as did Redford. 8/10

[MarkStud5]

Over the last couple of years, we haven’t really seen any really good, Spy thrillers as of such that we can jump up for joy and say, “Thank heavens that there is an intelligent movie out there for me to indulge in.”“Spy Game” is nothing but pure gold in itself and everything that’s in it. This movie has everything in it, from the best dialogue to the ravishing and exotic locations to the camera work and the great music. When I went to see it, I wasn’t expecting the movie to be as good as it was. I was thoroughly surprised and very entertained by all the chemistry between Pitt and Redford. Then what surprised me was the fact that the movie even came out, since with all the Sept. 11 tragedy and everything that’s been happening. But I digress. This movie was an achievement in everything from an intelligent Spy movie. This kind of movie hasn’t existed in a very long time, since “Mission:Impossible” for instance.
The redoing of a kind of crisis that happens in this time was a truly terrifying, yet very good to see in a time of Great Heroes and Great Samaritans. What the movie, doesn’t depict well is the whole Government Issue, and the otherworldly Revelations. Actually it depicts the government as the same “Classified” men it has in so many other movies. Yet in this movie they seemed less evil and intentful in there secretiveness. The way Redford played them and manipulated them reminded me of a really good chess game. What the movie could’ve used more of was action since this is a Ridley Scott film. I believe that this is a good movie that depicts all the rules to a Veteran/New Recruit Spy Movie. Yet with all the clichés, (Such as the Young Recruit compromising himself and his life for a Young Woman, who isn’t what she seems either.) there are still a lot of really good things in this movie that makes it an instant classic. Brad Pitt’s character is one of his best performances since, “Fight Club” and I’m sorry, but every time I see Brad Pitt, I think Tyler Durdan and all his glory. I just can’t help it, and Robert Redford is just as great playing Robert Redford. “Spy Game” makes the whole espionage game a game that nobody would like to get into loves watching just the same. The whole “Its not how you play the game, its how the game plays you” –ethology, is something that truly summarizes the feel and lesson of the movie.
Why this movie was one of the best movies of the year is because it enforces everything that we need right now, but doesn’t let in on the horror of it all, which gives a good note of Patriotism and Sanatasian of the human spirit. “Spy Game” is riveting and entertaining and something we’ve been missing in the theaters for a while: A Good Movie. 9/10

PS: I wonder if anybody else has noticed how much overtime some of the actors in Hollywood have been putting in Here are some examples of this in case your wondering who:

1. Robert Redford: In “Spy Game” and was just in “The Last Castle”
2. Brad Pitt: In “Spy Game” and also coming in “Oceans 11”
3. Gene Hackman: In “Heist,” and coming out in “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Royal Tenenbaum”
4. Delroy Lindo: Also in “Heist” and “The One” and just in “The Last Castle”
5. Gwyneth Paltrow: In “Shallow Hal” and coming in “Royal Tenenbaum”
6. Owen Wilson: Coming in “Behind Enemy Lines” and also in “Royal Tenenbaum” with Brother Luke Wilson
7. James Gandolfini: In “The Man who wasn’t there” and was in “The Last Castle”
8. Matt Damon: Coming In “Oceans 11” and “The Borne Identity”

[hypotheses]

Spy Game (2001)- 6/10

Uninvolving, immeasurably slow, predictable, & flawed

What is wrong with most of you people? Hollywood feeds you the same crap over and over and yet you gobble it up indiscriminately just the same.

1. Robert Robert is friggin' 65 years of age for God Sakes. No amount of soft lighting (apparent throughout the entire film) is going to change that.

2. Use some Goddamn makeup. If we are to believe that Brad Pitt's character was back in Nam, he shouldn't look EXACTLY the same many decades later.

3. Just because Redford's character is "old school" shouldn't mean that all of his "new school" superiors should be posed as complete idiots.

4. I neither give a damn about the cliche of Pitt's character risking it all for a woman.

5. Nor do I give a damn about Redford's character coming to the realization that he's become emotionally hardened by the spy game and should make an attempt at redeeming himself.

6. Flashbacks are rarely a convincing plot device. Hence, DO NOT use them! (Unless we're talking about Memento).

7. This film creeps at a snail's pace.

8. Mr. Scott, we already saw all of that amazing (but frenzied) aerial camera work in Enemy of the State (1998). There it was creative and useful. Here, in Spy Game, it's just silly and distracting.

9. In all, I found Spy Game so totally uninvolving, I was ready to walk out the theatre after the first 20-minutes. Too bad I didn't.

6/10

[This message has been edited by hypotheses (edited 11-29-2001).]

[Puck Bond]

Spy Game 8/10...

Spy Game is a crackling, intense espionage thriller. Tony Scott has delivered a perfectly paced and stylized film. I loved the grainy cinematography giving it an almost news documentary feel. Like a government video we shouldn't be watching. I also loved Robert Redford in this, especially the games he plays at Langley, VA with his superiors. How he is always one step ahead of his colleagues...this provided the film with some humorous moments and funny dialogue, which I also liked. Overall this is a very good, smart spy thriller and well worth your time and money

[BigHoosfan]

Didn't like it that much. I give it a 5/10.

The ending **removed spoilers** is a overworked cliche.

Didn't mind the flashbacks, they were only entertaining parts of the movie. I liked how Redford trained Pitt.

The meetings and scenes in D.C. were boring.

I don't mind slow movies if they can keep me involved. This one didn't do it. Even the scenes in Beirut were average. Nothing that really enthralled me.

[This message has been edited by JoBlo (edited 11-27-2001).]

[beachblanketmomma]

I saw SPY GAME over the holiday weekend. Let me say first of all, I am a true Redford fan…think he is a subtle, lovely actor, one who understands acting as a craft and himself as a craftsman. I respect him and was quite hot for him as a youngster. Brad Pitt, I have had to admit, is a damn fine actor himself. Also, I love the whole genre of political thriller/action type movies (I too am at a loss as to how to categorize SPY GAME---thriller? Drama? Action? Whatever…). So it was with great anticipation that I went to see SPY GAME.
I will not let the fact that the movie stayed UNFOCUSED throughout interfere with my ability to give you the goods on it…but doesn’t that just SUCK??
On the whole, I liked it. I liked the way the story was told in flashbacks. I liked the anticipation I felt when it is revealed that it is Robert Redford’s last day at the CIA…isn’t that a set up for high drama? I liked Brad Pitt as “The Boyscout”--- he has a perfect look for the part. I liked the camera techniques---slow mo, fast mo, zoom in , out. It was almost too much, but not.
It had all the elements necessary to please moviegoers who also enjoyed “Hunt for Red October”, or “Mission:Impossible” or the like. Yet, for me, somehow it missed. I don’t want to go into a spoiler section here, but suffice it to say that the major things that missed were 1) R. Redford’s philosophy we see in his training interactions w/ Pitt somehow seems counter to the actions he takes on his last day of work. Maybe it’s just me. 2) The agents around the conference table were shallow, one dimensional and I needed more here to convince me that Redford’s character’s leaving was a good thing for them. I dunno…it was a little too pat for me.
I’ve gone on and on when all I started to say was SPY GAME is fun, well-acted, good to see on the big screen, but ultimately left me a little empty.
6.5/10

[yaujta]

the film was well shot, used some cool freeze frame techniques and the acting was superb all in all a 4 out of 5 for my money brad pitt is the best character actor of his generation. he always plays the coolest characters. good to see Catherine McCormack in a major role again (murron in Braveheart)
the film provided a great escape from reality for a few hours.
my one criticism would be it dragged on a bit in the middle

[sloopyfan]

Spygame is an interesting take on the whole spy genre. There really isn't a whole lot of spying going on per se, most of the spying takes place in the CIA offices. Robert Redford turns in a stellar performance, where he continually one up's the CIA and their interrogation. Brad Pitt did well although his part was rather limited. I am a fan of "thinking" movies and this falls into that category, although the movie is not that hard to follow, yet it will keep your mind working. The one big complaint that I have is that the ending seemed to be a bit weak, and not very convincing, but that aside this was a pretty good movie. If you are a fan of spy movies and like to think while you are watching them this would be a great choice, but if you want your spies to be action oriented, gun toting, martini drinkers you might want to skip this one.

[REAL_XYZ]

Yes, this movie takes place over a 24-hour period. Actually, it seemed like I spent 24-hours in the theater watching it. I liked the first 20 minutes, but I was checking my watch after the first hour. I remember saying to myself, "My God! We're only ONE hour into this movie!?!?"

Spy Game moves at a snail's pace. It was long and boring. Redford shows very little enthusiasm throughout the movie. This is probably why I didn't care what happened to ANY of the characters.

This flick should have been classified TOP SECRET and stuck in a vault forever. I say....3.5/10

[urbanlegend23]

Spy Game

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0266987/SYCV504x333_SY00983.jpg

I really hate to break it to you, but Spy Game is frankly a big disappointment. I was expecting a lot of this movie because it has the two of my favourite actors, Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. The trailer for this movie also looked excellent, and I was intrigued by the pairing of these 2 actors, who look so much alike and perform in the same style. This movie could’ve and should’ve worked given the talent working on the film. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, Spy Game is an exercise in boredom.

Fortunately, there are some good points, but I’ll start with why I didn’t like this movie. The main reason is because in some aspects the filmmakers have taken their audiences for dummies. I mean, come on, you could at least put a little makeup on Robert Redford. He looks exactly the same in the current part of the film as he did, what, like 30 years back? Brad Pitt also looks identical. The movie also moves along at a very slow pace, and the last half-hour was very boring and I didn’t really care about the outcome of the film. The flashback sequences are the only really entertaining parts of the movie, the meetings and continuous talk in Washington started to really get to me, because a) I wasn’t sure if Redford’s colleagues were on his side, and b) there was just way too much blabber and not enough action.

I was also disappointed with the “spy” aspect of the film. This movie mostly just makes out a spy as a person who goes to different countries, sees different things and takes a heck of a lot of photos. I mean, the movie demonstrated the aspects of spying and going behind people’s back better than Harriet the Spy, but I would’ve liked a deeper insight.

All that said, I loved the style of the movie. The zoom-all-around-the-place shots were very well done and I enjoyed how the movie did put in a mysterious atmosphere, whether it just used steam or smoke, or just a whole bunch of cool, different sort of shots. That’s basically what this movie is – cool. Not in sense of story at all, but just in the way it looks. And that’s what kept me in my seat.

Apart from of course the superb chemistry between Robert Redford and Brad Pitt, which manages to be a saving grace. I especially enjoyed the scenes were Redford was training Pitt’s character to be a spy. Unfortunately that all ends too son. Anyway, Redford is not bad at all, and I don’t usually like his acting. He proves to us he is not getting old fast, and he can still play a good action man. He isn’t topped by the excellent Pitt, who comes across as charming, strong and interesting. I also enjoyed a little cameo by Charlotte Rampling.

There are good aspects of this movie, but they are overrun by the pace and timing of the movie. I wasn’t really interested in the movie as a whole and it was a disappointment. Even worse, they had to throw in a horrid love story cliché. I can confirm overall that this isn’t a game I’ll want to be playing again anytime soon.

5/10

[Scarface98.9]

saw it on DVD yesterday cause a few friends rented it.
Spy Game synopsis
I'm alittle confused. The producer was Jerry Bruckheimer, this was directed by Tony Scott (that Top Gun guy), has the title "Spy Game," and was advertised as such. but what was given was a LONG, boring, tedious, and unintelligent thriller set in a 24 hour period.
the directing
The "fast-moving, music video" style used in Enemy of the State worked fine in that movie, but here it's so over the top it's almost insulting to the viewer. It's like he watched Moulin Rouge over and over and wanted to emulate it. hell, this movie tries to be a political thriller, but he seems to think he's making a nail-biting action movie. Maybe he's trying to do one better than Michael Bay and become Bruckheimer's favorite director again
the acting
Brad Pitt isn't really in this movie that much, since most of it is usually a stunt man anyways. he's basically playing a weaker version of himself. I don't know why Redford is here, since he seems confused as to why he's there, like he's thinking they're making a different movie. The token love interest is basically thrown in so ppl probably won't think it's an all-male movie. but she's more-or-less thrown into the movie, where we basically have to accept that she's the love interest, regardless as to whether Pitt has met her or not. the rest of the cast are just cutouts
final grade 3/10

[Another Cliche Schmoe]

Fair movie.

I did enjoy Redford's and Pitt's performances and I do think they played the parts well, and the story line is very interesting, and the romance was believable, and the ending was witty and humurous... the downside was the constant changing in time and the confusing way in which it was presented so that I couldn't tell who was a spy and who was an enemy. That pretty much sums up the pros and the cons, and in the end I was fairly satisfied with this movie.

GRADE: 6/10

[PackBacker]

Very enjoyable spy thriller. I guess we all knew what the ending would be but it classifies as that genre all the same. This is not a film for the action fan...we have some explosions but it's more of a real-world spy film. Phone calls, payoffs, who you know, and some backstabbing.

Pitt and Redford work well together. I wish we had seen more of Pitt's character but regardless it fit well within the construct of the film. Nice meshing of the flashbacks with current story line and the normal Tony Scott style.

Overall good stuff. Don't know what Scott's fascination with "Rocky Mountain Way" is though!

[Tuukka]

A competently made film, but quite uninvolving. Spy Game doesn't have enough action to work as a an action movie, it doesn't have any tension to work as a thriller and it lacks smarts to work as a convincing depiction of spy life.

The film is slick to look at, but Scott's hyperactive visual style kills all the credibility that the film might have had. It would have worked better with a more gritty and realistic approach. Spy Game tries to make it always very obvious that we are watching a Hollywood film disconnected from reality. But it's not entertaining enough to deliver as a big, unrealistic Hollywood film, either (unlike Enemy Of The State, for example).

Acting is good, but roles are not very deep or multi-dimensional. The film has occasional moments of wittyness, but not many.

A lack of a good climax is also very obvious. The film just ends, and the ending seems very predictable right from the start.

Still, it's was a reasonably entertaining flick and works if you want to kill a couple of hours. A well crafted film that has an above-average script, but in the end lacks truly interesting storyline or characters.

6/10