admtech69
Joined Jul 2007
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admtech69's rating
This amazing film was released the same year as the vastly inferior 1997 film "The Jackal", starring Bruce Willis, which was also about Carlos the Jackal - I think it was lost in the shuffle because of this.
To start with, the ensemble is stellar, Adrian Quinn is perfectly cast in the dual lead as Carlos the Jackal and his Doppelganger, Annibal Ramirez.
Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley also star as CIA and Mossad agents, respectively. They must train and basically brainwash Ramirez into becoming Carlos the Jackal in order to catch him and this process becomes a fascinating subplot.
Ramirez is conflicted with his role and his antagonism toward both Sutherland and Kingsley's characters makes for some great dialogue. Yes, decent dialogue, which in an action thriller is a rare commodity.
This is a well thought-out thriller which never loses it's momentum nor believability. The locations, cinematography and action sequences are top notch with a great third act which leaves the viewer guessing until the very end.
Also, in my case, wondering why this gem was so overlooked when it came out. It was so good that if the box office receipts had been in place, it would have demanded a sequel.
Highly recommended.
To start with, the ensemble is stellar, Adrian Quinn is perfectly cast in the dual lead as Carlos the Jackal and his Doppelganger, Annibal Ramirez.
Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley also star as CIA and Mossad agents, respectively. They must train and basically brainwash Ramirez into becoming Carlos the Jackal in order to catch him and this process becomes a fascinating subplot.
Ramirez is conflicted with his role and his antagonism toward both Sutherland and Kingsley's characters makes for some great dialogue. Yes, decent dialogue, which in an action thriller is a rare commodity.
This is a well thought-out thriller which never loses it's momentum nor believability. The locations, cinematography and action sequences are top notch with a great third act which leaves the viewer guessing until the very end.
Also, in my case, wondering why this gem was so overlooked when it came out. It was so good that if the box office receipts had been in place, it would have demanded a sequel.
Highly recommended.
Jason Statham, arguably a worthy successor of Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, has taken an odd misstep in "The Meg". I can only assume there were many, many zeroes more than "007" involved in influencing his decision to take a role in this picture.
A deep-sea submersible is under threat by a massive Megaladon Shark, long thought to be extinct, now lies at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific with its crew trapped inside. With time running out, Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) is recruited to save the crew. As the movie progresses, we find out that Taylor had encountered the Shark long before and is a practitioner of the long lost art of Shark Punching. I wanted to like Jon Turteltaub's movie but The Meg is bad, but only rarely in the fun way.
Maybe it would be better if they went full Camp, as in the Sharknado Franchise?
Statham seems itching for some of his usual classic James Bond-style British Ass-kickery for which he is known, most of which is not on display. Rainn Wilson plays shifty billionaire who's financed a deep-sea exploration project. This is a Chinese production, taking place off the coast of Shanghai. Chinese star Li Bingbing has been enlisted to support Statham, her charismatic quality shining through a roughed-in character.
The most important cast member, though, is of course the titular Massive Meg, a CGI creation who appears early and often.
There are a few chuckle-worthy sight gags and the third act climax, involving a bunch of panicked beachgoers, which evokes Jaws in a knowing tribute, provides some legitimate thrills.
Shark fans are likely to be interested, but be warned: It's clumsy and slow and lacks genuine scares.
A deep-sea submersible is under threat by a massive Megaladon Shark, long thought to be extinct, now lies at the bottom of the deepest trench in the Pacific with its crew trapped inside. With time running out, Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) is recruited to save the crew. As the movie progresses, we find out that Taylor had encountered the Shark long before and is a practitioner of the long lost art of Shark Punching. I wanted to like Jon Turteltaub's movie but The Meg is bad, but only rarely in the fun way.
Maybe it would be better if they went full Camp, as in the Sharknado Franchise?
Statham seems itching for some of his usual classic James Bond-style British Ass-kickery for which he is known, most of which is not on display. Rainn Wilson plays shifty billionaire who's financed a deep-sea exploration project. This is a Chinese production, taking place off the coast of Shanghai. Chinese star Li Bingbing has been enlisted to support Statham, her charismatic quality shining through a roughed-in character.
The most important cast member, though, is of course the titular Massive Meg, a CGI creation who appears early and often.
There are a few chuckle-worthy sight gags and the third act climax, involving a bunch of panicked beachgoers, which evokes Jaws in a knowing tribute, provides some legitimate thrills.
Shark fans are likely to be interested, but be warned: It's clumsy and slow and lacks genuine scares.