Basic

[dh1989]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0264395/basic_poster.jpg

Plot: A DEA agent investigates the disappearance of a legendary Army ranger drill sergeant and several of his cadets during a training exercise gone severely awry.

Starring: John Travolta ("Pulp Fiction"), Samuel L. Jackson ("Shaft"), Connie Nielsen ("One Hour Photo"), Giovanni Ribisi ("Boiler Room"), and Taye Diggs ("Chicago").

Directed By: John McTiernan ("Die Hard").

Written By: James Vanderbilt ("Darkness Falls").

MPAA: Rated R for violence and language.

Running Time: 98 minutes.

Thoughts: I am VERY excited to see this film. John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson are both wonderful actors. The plot does remind me of "Courage Under Fire", but that was a great film, so that's a plus. The trailers are exciting and I love the line "Am I scratching YOUR surface yet?!" Overall, I pray this film does two things: brings John McTiernan back from the pits of hell (or as you may call it, "Rollerball" (3/10)) and gives us a worthy military thriller that is entertaining. I can't wait!

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0264395/CT-453.jpg

[Strider]

Alright, let me lay it down, it's John Travolta and Sam "The Man" Jackson teaming up together once again since "Pulp Fiction"... that's enough for me to buy a ticket! :D

Strider

[blankpage]

It does have a good cast, but I am not quite sure on this one. When I first saw the trailers and TV spots, I thought it looked quite good. But now I am not quite sure. The Scratching your surface line is pretty corny. I will probably give this one a look.

[Scarface98.9]

I wanna see it, if only for Jackson and Travolta being in the same movie (but I doubt they share any scenes :()

[dh1989]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
I wanna see it, if only for Jackson and Travolta being in the same movie (but I doubt they share any scenes :()

Actually, one of the stills from this film on Yahoo! Movies would suggest they might share a scene, that or it is just a picture from the set. This is the photo.....

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/columbia_pictures/basic/_group_photos/connie_nielsen1.jpg

[darkface]

I don't know what to think of this one. The posters horrible IMO, but it has a nice cast which leads me to believe it actually could be good. But i think i'll wait for the reviews to actually spend $8

[BarryEgan]

I've heard some pretty good advanced word on this flick, I'm always up for a good military/courtroom drama...Although this looks to be a pretty decent concept of having a story be told different ways through different perspectives through interrogations. Some of the shots look pretty damn impressive too. I'll definitely be there opening day for this one.

[HHH123007]

I'm going to see it on Wednesday, I'm not really psyched to watch it or anything.....the tickets are free from a friend who's a critic....

[TheMovieMinor]

This movie reminds me of Tears of the Sun for some reason. Sam Jackson being the leader of the refugees, and Travolta being Bruce Willis. But the movie looks like a good flick to say SWEET! on.

[Moviefreek]

This is the only one released this weekend that looks slightly entertaining and good enough for me to purchase a ticket...Plus I have enjoyed travolta...well...subtracting the past...5 or 6 or 7 years from his career...except the mediocre Swordfish,which sadly to say..has been his best in awhile.

[sharkstank]

the cast looks good,but nothing about this movie entices me.the cheesy lines don't help, either

[RobertPaulson]

The cast and director are definitely enough to have me go. But I also haven't seen a good thriller in a while and this one looks to throw you for a loop . . .

[Droog989]

Huh? That was the first thing I uttered when I left this film, as like JoBlo himself said, this film is far more confusing then it needs to be. Any film that has Jackson uttering "mother fuckers" in it has some redeeming qualities in my books, but now that I think about it, he may have never actually said those two words, i may have just inserted my own dialogue into the film as I sometimes do when bored. McTiernen, what happened to you? Shame shame shame, you're better then this 4/10

[Freeway]

I really am looking forward to seeing Basic this weekend. The cast is great and the director is certainly capable of a great film.

[mrsfuz]

It seems funny to me how this film's gotten such mixed reviews. I think people have sorta gotten the wrong impression about this film--I read a review of it today on CHUD and saw Travolta on letterman. Apparently, it's supposed to be sort of a thriller, suspense type of thing. There's a mystery to solve and no one knows until the end. In either case, I think Basic's a sure bet. Granted Travolta's done some bad films in the past, but what actor that's been around as long as him hasn't?

McTiernan's also done some incredible work. And I'm always intrigued by Samuel L. Jackson's newest projects.

[RobertPaulson]

I am not too disuaded by the few bad reviews it has gotten. Most people's main complaint is just that it is somewhat confusing, but almost everyone says the acting and directing are very good. I like to try to piece movies together, so it sounds liek this thriller will be a challenge. Maybe this is the type of movie best seen twice.

Anyway, I will try to see it this weekend, if it isn't sold out! Sam L and the few cool scenes I have seen all make it worth the money for me.

[XCoRyX]

its something i would rent...not sure i'd risk wasting money on it in theaters.

[Puck Bond]

Basic looks like a fairly mediocre military mystery thriller, but I am looking forward to it. I am a sucker for this kind of stuff...and its always good to see Travolta back with Samuel L. Jackson again. Hopefully Connie Nielsen will be better than she was in The Hunted. I plan on seeing it next week.

[TheMovieMinor]

Good movie that makes you think. If you can't or don't think, You will be confused. Some people are saying this movie is confusing. No it isnt. If you have somewhat a brain, then you just have to think. Great movie, definatly a big screen choice, rather then rental. Good twists. Not going to spoil you so see it.

8/10

[dh1989]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0264395/CT-2200.jpg

John McTiernan used to be a fine director. He delivered great films. He thrilled us all as a group of brave men fought a violent alien in Predator. He made us root for Bruce Willis to save the lives of many and kill the terrorists in Die Hard. He used great action and witty movie jokes to create Last Action Hero. But then something happened. He made The 13th Warrior, a dumb period action film with no sense of order. He made the DREADFUL Rollerball. A movie that has so many flaws, and is so ugly, it is hard to believe a filmmaker of his pedigree could even THINK of it. He lost the charm that he had in the early days. He was no longer making us root for the hero. He no longer had the audience intriuged. He became, dare I say it, lazy. He was making cookie-cutter action films. I missed him. Well, he's back. Yes, break out the champagne, grab the party hats, and jump into the street to celebrate! McTiernan is back! He's in top form! He's made a great military thriller! YAY! WOO-HOO! Basic rules!

John Travolta is wonderful as Tom Hardy. Travolta is a great actor, in my opinion, but many of his recent roles have been rather bland. Not here. Here he is sharp and full of attitude. His scenes in the interrogation room are electricity. Watching Travolta work in this film is to see what a great actor can do.

Connie Nielsen is equally wonderful as Lt. Julia Osborne. She plays it low-key, and pulls it off. She may not be as "movie star"-ish as the other stars of Basic, but is just as good. She obviously has tons of potential and should be a bankable name very, very soon.

Samuel L. Jackson is bad-ass. Did you except him not to be? Jackson is the king of playing mean-ass mofo's. He captures the screen. Chews up scenery. And never lets up.

Two young actors, Taye Diggs and Giovanni Ribisi, give good performances here. They completely disappear into their respective roles.

McTiernan has more confidence here than he did in Rollerball. He does not feel the need to use ten billion quick-cuts to keep the audience interested. He relies on his actors and setting (an awesome rainy night in Panama) to keep us enthralled. This is not to say he does not use to the camera to full potential. He takes us into the brutality of the world where these characters are. Very realistic.

James Vanderbilt is a new screenwriter. His only project prior to this was the 2003 thriller Darkness Falls, and after this he'll write the Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson/Seann William Scott/Christopher Walken vehicle Welcome To The Jungle. Vanderbilt's script here gives new meaning to the classic movie line "Nothing is what is seems." The movie is full of suprises. Everyone has a hidden agenda. Everyone has a sneaky plan in the works. Also, the structure of the film could be difficult, but on all fronts: Vanderbilt pulls it off like a seasoned master.

Overall, this is a great thriller. It is intriuging, mysterious, and exciting. Everyone is having fun and everyone gives it their all. The result? A great flick.

8/10

[chinton]

I was with this movie until its ludicrous last five minutes. At first I thought it was quite cool but then I thought if it was logical and it seemed to fly out the window. It seems like the screenwriter jus t had to ahve one more twist so he ignored the previous ninety minutes and thre something in there. Im getting sick of movies like this where they dont let the twist become an intergral apr t of the story i.e Ususal Suspects. Kind of like David Gale, a movie that gave us a ludicrous twist that completely ignored any kind of character motivation.

[dorikin]

i usually like caper type films but this one spiralled down into sheer plot tangent lunacy. the final act had my eyes rolling so much i'm pretty sure i saw the people sitting behind me got up from my seat at the end trying to fill in all the holes but was so dizzy from all the topsy turvy twists that i had to sit down again. it's one thing to try and direct a mamet-esque whodunnit/backstab fest but quite another to end up with a cinematic hydra with plot twists upon plot twists just for the sake of having them.

but i do have to admit, it was entertaining. sort of a csi episode on 'roids.

highlights:
he's black...no now he's white!

i shot him, you shot him, we all shot him!

he was in on it, he wasn't in on it, he was in on the outside of it.... so we killed him

i thought you killed him?

where's your grenade?

can i have a cigarette?

more paella por favor?

[MsMoviefan]

I knew ahead of time that I had to stay alert & focused on every scene or I would lose tract, get lost, and ruin the movie.I stayed alert, easy to do-it was interesting & exciting- and I really enjoyed the movie.The cast was wonderful too. Travolta'a character was smart and funny, and a pleasure to watch.
Ebert said he got lost and gave the movie 1 star. I did not get lost, but I understand how a person could, so don't go when you tired, or whould rather focus on your companion ra1ther than the story on the screen.Enjoy

[chinton]

could somebody who liked the movie post in thier own words how the final revelation can possibly fit itno the movie without huge plotholes. I mean it seems that to buy the final revelation one has to completely ignore the rest of the film

[Falkor]

I dunno, I kind of liked it :D Thought John Travolta was terrific. The guy being interrogated looked like Sting from the right angle, and Sting rules. As for the ending, well...

SPOILERS

It looked to me like either the training went completely normal (except for the guy in the hospital who might have been some kind of traitor), or the whole training didn't happen at all and the whole thing was a setup to check out Connie Neilsen's investigative abilities, to see if she was worthy of being a part of Section 8.

END SPOILERS]

A second viewing may be in order. A lot of times, the movie completely gives itself away, but you're not supposed to realize it because you're "supposed" to think the statements are sarcastic. I got a few twists ahead on those clues, but it still wasn't enough to know what would happen at the very end...!

[mrsfuz]

I got the opportunity to see Basic this weekend as well. I was pleasantly surprised. I think this was the movie that broke a pretty rough streak for Travolta. He was not only physically in tune for this role, but also mentally prepared as well. Connie Nielson provided an interesting however completely relevant aspect to the movie as well.

Sam L. made for this role...he's the original bad ass.
Taye Diggs, it was interesting to see the Ally McBeal sweetheart play the tough guy role. Overall, I think he pulled it off.

Maybe I'm slow, but I really didn't catch on to any of the twists throughout the progression of the film until the end. A good pick for the weekend...a good film for those interested in that genre.

[moviemuffin]

I liked it.

My two 1/2 complaints:

Neilson kept forgetting she was supposed to be southern and dropping her really bad accent.

Minor point, but it took a bit for me to accept Travolta as a swaggering character... he seemed to be channeling Bruce Willis at first, then I warmed to it.

The gay character didn't need to be gay to be a creep... it played homophobic. Plus, he was such an arrogant and worthless little shi*t that he never would have been in Ranger training.

I liked the ending. I liked the film. The sequel(s) will improve on it.

My 2 cents. :)

[Puck Bond]

Basic is a complex, winding military mystery thriller, but it is interesting and is never boring and I enjoyed it on those merits. I have always been a fan of anything dealing with the military and with such actors as John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Connie Nielsen, along with accomplished action director John McTiernan behind the wheel I was really looking forward to this movie. Based on the previews I expected an interrogation/investigation type mystery, but not to the extent that this movie is! There must have been 5-6 different storys told about the events in this movie and all of them seem to be based on lies, deception and trickery...adding up to a somewhat believable yet pleasing conclusion. The basic(no pun intended) storyline involves a group of Rangers sent into the Panama jungle by their sadistic leader Nathan West played by Samuel L. Jackson to nice effect...on a training exercise under harsh and unbearable conditions. Only two of the rangers(one of them seriously wounded) come back, while the other 4 and West himself are missing. The healthy surviving ranger Dunbar played by Brian Van Holt won't talk, except to a fellow ranger. John Travolta plays Tom Hardy a "corrupt" DEA agent/interrogater and former ranger and he is brought in to help solve the mystery. Connie Nielsen plays Julia Osbourne the reluctant in-house base marshal/provost who is in charge of the investigation. When the story unfolds we are told different and conflicting versions of what happened and I won't go into details(like I could,lol) just that drugs and a special elite team are heavily involved. As much as this movie has too many plot twists and turns for its own good it still is entertaining and interesting stuff. The performances are quite good especially Jackson as the menacing taskmasker general, and I especially enjoyed Travolta and Nielsen together. The script is nicely done with witty and interesting banter between the two and both of their performances are quite good. I especially liked Connie Nielsen with a strong Southern accent as opposed to her role in the recent The Hunted. She has a lot more to do in this movie and her talents are showed off a lot more. The cast also includes Taye Diggs, Giovani Ribisi(who meets a gory demise) and Harry Connick Jr. as a shady doctor. Based on the ending of this movie and the title "Basic" meaning "Basic training" I am lead to believe that it is all an exercise to recruit a certain person and see what they are capable of...and if that is indeed the case this is a mind-fucking way of doing it! Overall, Basic is a hard movie to understand and follow and the winding, confusing plot will leave many questions in the viewers mind. Is it still enjoyable? Certainly...based on the smooth and clean direction style of veteran John McTiernan and the solid cast featuring nice performances by Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta and Connie Nielsen. Go and see it and see if you can figure it out!

[sleekproductions]

Bump!

[Strider]

Basic (2003)

Rated R for Violence and Language

Director: John McTiernan

Starring John Travolta, Connie Nielsen, Samuel L. Jackson, Giovanni Ribisi, Taye Diggs, Brian Van Holt, Roselyn Sanchez, Cristian De La Fuente, Harry Connick Jr., and Tim Daly.

"A D.E.A. agent, Tom Hardy (John Travolta) investigates the disappearance of a legendary Army ranger drill sergeant, Nathan West (Samuel L. Jackson), and several of his cadets during a training exercise gone very wrong."


"Basic" is somewhat similiar to films such as Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" and Singer's "The Usual Suspects", but only in the way the films are presented. All films show the present in one major setting, while the past is shown in a series of flashbacks. Also, each film has a moderate ensemble of shady characters.

However, "Basic" never comes close to matching the brilliant quality of those two other films. This film is so poorly made, and the film gets lost with each turn it makes. The main problem the film suffers from, is James Vanderbilt's horribly written script. Vanderbilt didn't really have a clue as to what he was writing. During the film's first half hour, it seems as if Vanderbilt's story is on track, and it will lead to a satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen. After the film is 1/3 of the way finished, Vanderbilt's story heads into oblivion with an overload of twists.

The so-called "twists" are implausible, they fail to make any sense, and they just screw up the film's story. Obviously, Vanderbilt only added all these twists because it's cool, and it's the "in" thing to feature in today's films. Honestly, I enjoy watching films that have twist endings, but I only enjoy them when they make sense. "Basic" has more twists than you could possibly imagine, but they make no sense whatsoever. Instead, they end up confusing you more than you were when the film started!

On the acting front, it's really not anything special. John Travolta is the leading man in this film, along with the great Samuel L. Jackson in a supporting role. This is their very first film together since "Pulp Fiction". Unfortunately, this renuion is nothing memorable, since Travolta and Jackson only share one short scene together. Back to the acting; this may come to a surprise to many, but the best actor here is Connie Nielsen, who is rising in the world of Hollywood slowly. She has starred in a number of films, but she was finally noticed in Ridley Scott's epic drama, "Gladiator". Nielsen is quite good in "Basic", she's very charming, sexy, and even shows her tough side in this film. As for the rest, sorry to say this, but it's forgettable.

The director of "Basic", is none other than John McTiernan, who is repsonsible for giving us films such as "The Hunt for Red October", "Predator", and the classic action film known as "Die Hard". McTiernan's direction in his latest film, is quite good. I enjoyed the way he incorporated such a gloomy atmosphere with all of the film's settings, which include a military base and a jungle. Still, this does not make his latest film any better.

McTiernan has really been in a dark hole for awhile, and it all started with 1999's "The 13th Warrior", which I'm sure no one remembers. Then, everyone who bought a ticket for last year's worst film, "Rollerball", witnessed McTiernan embarrass himself. I don't know what has happened to this man, but it's a shame to see his career in such a crippling state.

In conclusion, "Basic" is one of those thrillers that tries to make the viewer believe that it's quite intelligence, but it's far from being this. "Basic" is a preposterous film which fails on every level to make any kind of sense. There was a great possibility this film could have wrapped up in an intelligent, sensible, and decent manner. However, "Basic" avoids doing anything of the like, and this left me very upset

Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes

Grade: 4/10 or ** out of ***** stars

[The Creeper]

I caught this movie yesterday because the night before I saw 'Inside the Actor's Studio' with John Travolta, and they were talking about his career. How he started at the top, went downhill, was "rediscovered" with Pulp Fiction, and is now sliding back downhill. I disagreed completly, considering Travolta has been in some of my favorite movies, and I didn't see why everyone was blasting his 'After PF' flicks.
Battlefield Earth-Yeah, it sucked. Give him a chance
Domestic Disturbance- I enjoyed it personally
Swordfish- One of my favorites
Broken Arrow- Also one of my favorites
Then, I heard all of this crap about 'Basic' being a bad movie, so I thought I would go see it, and find out if it's just me.

Basic was, ironically, anything but. I just wish you could've heard my thoughts as the final 15 minutes rolled. I was really into the movie up to this point. Travolta proved to me once again he is a great actor, playing, like someone said, a more Bruce Willis-ish character, and making me believe it. Sam Jackson always has great presence, and I was not let down by him in any way. The other actors did a good job as well. Then, everything seemed to finally come together....
SPOILERS

And Travolta was the villian, and I was happy because he always plays a great bad guy, so I was excited, and then it threw me YET ANOTHER curve, with "the team" coming back, and being alive. That's when I was let down because it was such a huge cop-out to me. Everything this movie was about was completley bs, and everything seemed pointless. The movie was about them investigating something that never happened.

END SPOILERS

Other than that, I enjoyed the movie, and Travolta doesn't deserve the crap he's been getting.
7/10

[movies35]

2/10

It was a waste of time and talent.

[mrsfuz]

Enjoyed it...could have been better, but I'm mildly dissapointed.

7/10