The Recruit (B or 3/4 stars)
A brilliant CIA trainee, James Clayton (Colin Farrell), is asked by father-figure mentor, Walter Burke (Al Pacino), to help find a mole within the agency in 'The Recruit', an action/thriller directed by Roger Donaldson. The CIA puts him through a rigorous physical and mental training course and he rises through the ranks quite speedily. But IS there a mole? Can he trust anyone? Is everything as it seems? It's kind of hokey, but 'The Recruit' thrives in its slickness & tension.
We are given an inside look at today's CIA. What a tangled web of allegiances & information! We see how its members are 'recruited'. We see their intense training at 'The Farm', their acute preparation, and how to survive this deadly organization. And just because James Clayton is super smart, it doesn't excuse him from being an over-confident smart ass. Adding to his confidence, James meets & starts a relationship with an attractive fellow recruit, Layla (Bridget Moynahan). As the film plays out, certain events take place, and James begins to question his role in the CIA, his relationship with Layla, & his mentor, Walter Burke. Burke says, "Everything is a test". Who is the double agent (the mole) who's infiltrating the CIA? Could it be Zack (Gabriel Macht)? Or is it someone unimaginable?
The negatives of 'The Recruit'? Although it's hectic & busy, you realize (after it's over), that it was actually lacking an intricately detailed plot; it's fairly empty. If you enjoyed it in the theater, it may be one of those that you 'break down' and slowly begin to dislike as time goes on. The first half of the film is masterful in its suspense, but the 2nd half is a bit of a letdown; but it's still not completely disappointing because we learn about the CIA & the climax is quite gripping.
Colin Farrell gives Clayton a hot shot 'I'm so good looking and smart and cool that I can't stand it' flair; he wears this role well. Al Pacino's explosive, commanding screen presence can lend to any movie, mediocre or not. His 'I can one-up you' chemistry with Farrell makes this spy thriller extremely watchable. 'They' are the reason we enjoy 'The Recruit' as much as we do. This isn't a brain-cramper, it's more of a brain teaser, but it suffices. It could have been better, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was completely entertained. For a January release, I'm more than pleased by how decent it is (melodramatically speaking). If not genius, it's still quickly paced, tense, and fun. It's the type of movie you can pop in to your DVD player every now and then, drink a cup of coffee, & relax with.
We are given an inside look at today's CIA. What a tangled web of allegiances & information! We see how its members are 'recruited'. We see their intense training at 'The Farm', their acute preparation, and how to survive this deadly organization. And just because James Clayton is super smart, it doesn't excuse him from being an over-confident smart ass. Adding to his confidence, James meets & starts a relationship with an attractive fellow recruit, Layla (Bridget Moynahan). As the film plays out, certain events take place, and James begins to question his role in the CIA, his relationship with Layla, & his mentor, Walter Burke. Burke says, "Everything is a test". Who is the double agent (the mole) who's infiltrating the CIA? Could it be Zack (Gabriel Macht)? Or is it someone unimaginable?
The negatives of 'The Recruit'? Although it's hectic & busy, you realize (after it's over), that it was actually lacking an intricately detailed plot; it's fairly empty. If you enjoyed it in the theater, it may be one of those that you 'break down' and slowly begin to dislike as time goes on. The first half of the film is masterful in its suspense, but the 2nd half is a bit of a letdown; but it's still not completely disappointing because we learn about the CIA & the climax is quite gripping.
Colin Farrell gives Clayton a hot shot 'I'm so good looking and smart and cool that I can't stand it' flair; he wears this role well. Al Pacino's explosive, commanding screen presence can lend to any movie, mediocre or not. His 'I can one-up you' chemistry with Farrell makes this spy thriller extremely watchable. 'They' are the reason we enjoy 'The Recruit' as much as we do. This isn't a brain-cramper, it's more of a brain teaser, but it suffices. It could have been better, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was completely entertained. For a January release, I'm more than pleased by how decent it is (melodramatically speaking). If not genius, it's still quickly paced, tense, and fun. It's the type of movie you can pop in to your DVD player every now and then, drink a cup of coffee, & relax with.