Swordfish (2001)

Trying to be cool

This is a seriously flawed movie. It so wants to be cool, but misses the target by a long way. Sure its fits the critera of a high octane movie, but it has no soul. That said, for its time (2001) its not without intelligence. The concept of external non-government privately run organisations in the U.S. being involved in taking out terrorists etc is now a virtual fact (Blackwater).

Furthermore Travolta IS cool, especially in the riveting opening sequence. Halle Berry looks great and overall Hugh Jackman probably gives the best acting performance. But these plus points are spoilt by an over-reliance on car-chases, explosions and gun fights. This has all been done before and so much better, and with a lot more style. See Michael Mann's Heat for one.

Overall then its an average, but hugely overblown blockbuster. If you like that sort of thing thats fine, and if its cheap you'll probably buy it. I would rent first... September 17, 2008

Lousy, dumb, stupid Travolta/Berry/Jackman movie

Wow, this was one terrible movie. The gratuitous violence during the car chase was absolutely over-done. The shady characters were typical stereotype thugs. Travolta just was as bad (acting-wise) as he was in The Punisher. In fact, almost a cliche'd carbon-copy.

Yeah, yeah, Halle Berry showed her great body to the detriment of some really sorry lines.

Hugh Jackman - well I guess I couldn't get past Wolverine hacking into computer networks. The only time I paid any attention to Jackman was when he mentioned the DEC PDP-11; because I used to run that computer in the early 80's.

Oh, and Sam Shepard, who played the Senator, really needs to change his one-dimensional characters he portrays in nearly every movie I've seen him in.

Bad, bad movie, with too many predictable scenes. But these actors got paid, and that's all that really mattered. Heck, If I got paid for doing a lousy job at work, I [probably] wouldn't care either.....then again maybe NOT. August 3, 2008

Jeff Shannon sucks.

When I read the poorly written crybaby review Jeff Shannon used to inform potentially interested viewers I had to write my own review.

IF YOU WANT A REAL REVIEW READ MINE!

To start off the movie is far from dull. It's very clever, and very thrilling, with quite an interesting storyline. The first few scenes include intense explosions and a couple assassinations. The storyline is unlocked bit by bit throughout the movie and brings you into the lifestyle of an exceedingly apparent upper class club-goer who does a little robbery and/or terrorism in the efforts of anti-terrorism on the side. Blah blah blah. You get the picture; my point being it's an interesting movie through and through.

The hangup this Shannon guy has about Halle Berry's tits is enough to make you sick. I don't recall so well but maybe others do. What was it, maybe 5 seconds... One scene? 5 seconds of a little Barry [...] action people! Who really cares!? To say slightly pornographic is a total overstatement. I entirely fail to see any integrity in Jeff Shannon's review.

I definitely feel sorry for the women who have to put up with men who are afraid of [...]. I couldn't possibly care less if a movie has nudity in it or not but if a movie includes nudity I wont throw a fit about it. That's what the federal rating systems are for. 'Boohoo...' Yes we get it. Thanks Jeff, buddy ol' pal.

Anyway I think most nudity adds a bit of realism to a movie. Movies are not about the nudity but don't try telling me you can walk through some of the wildest private clubs without seeing some nudity. Snap out of your stupidity and wake up to the real world. If at the end of the movie you still think it sucked well then you still got to see a slightly exposed Halle Barry. Good for you. Try not to lose sleep over it.

It's a great movie and will have you guessing from beginning to end. Pay close attention to the script and maybe put to use at least half of your brain and by the end you'll have enjoyed yourself to a well portrayed and well written movie. I have no doubt you'll want to watch it again.

WAIT! I do have one complaint... Ahem... Ladies and gentleman Travolta does not act like he knows how to smoke or hold a cigar at all and his soul patch I could easily have done without. haha I had to say it. I love the long hair though! It worked great in Pulp Fiction. If you want, maybe take off a star but DON'T let it dissuade you from seeing the movie. It's a great movie! Travolta's soul patch I give 1 star, but the movie gets 5!

Sorry Jeff. I think you are in dire need of rewriting your review. I tried to hold back from saying anything too offensive or any defamatory remarks. I think the amazon review was of poor taste. Hey Amazon, hire me! I could run circles around this guy! June 22, 2008

Not great, but entertaining

I think I mainly liked this movie for the great blu-ray clarity and the fact that it wasn't your typical action movie. The picture is astonishingly clear and vivid through blu-ray conversion. John Travolta plays a fairly decent bad guy and the story has some twists that keep your attention. I thought the plot was rather ridiculous though, but definitely an original. The motive for the characters wasn't just for a lot of money, like every other boring action movie, but the actual use of the money was the motivation. Good guy needed money to get his daughter back, bad guy needed money for anti-terrorism in his own demented way. Nothing great, but overall, a fun movie to watch on blu-ray. June 15, 2008

Meh

Well, I'm seeing this movie about seven years after its premiere so that should tell you something. I'm pretty sure all the other reviewers have given a synopsis of the plot and storyline, so I won't rehash that. I will just share my opinions. For having such an all-star, big bucks cast, this movie was incredibly uninspired. None of the actors, except maybe Hugh, seemed to embrace the characters. When a movie has a thin, boring plot, typically the portrayals are all that's left in order for the audience to not feel cheated, but you could have taken aspiring theater majors and done the same thing. Travolta's character was an arrogant psychopath with an ugly goatee. He played the maniac much better in Face Off. Hugh, oh how I love Hugh Jackman, but he just simply wasn't believable as a hacker and even more so every time the camera showed him clicking keys.Halle...her part didn't add anything to the story. I remember all the press about her "first naked shots," and it was obviously a cheap ploy to get horny guys into the theaters. Don Cheadle, well I just expect that Don was in it for the payday. He has had much better roles.

The twist at the end isn't really a twist when it's been done soooo many times before. It reminded me of so many movies: Speed, Mission Impossible 1& 2, The Thomas Crown Affair, etc.

I had such high hopes too, b/c as everyone has said, the opening sequence was incredible. From John Travolta's monologue (was that prophetic or what?) to the 180-deg explosion. I thought we were in for a ride. Such a letdown. It was extra punishment as I try to watch movies til the end unless I really hate it or find it offensive. So I suffered through.

So seven years later, I finally got to see what the hype was about, and it wasn't worth it. I would usually say a movie sucked, but for Swordfish, it seems like something you'll figure out about 30 minutes into it. I would only recommend Swordfish if you are bored or need background noise.
April 13, 2008

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