SWORDFISH
reviewed by: ReelReviewz@aol.com | graphix by: Michael Popo

MOVIE BIASES: Travolta needs to bring it after "Battlefield Earth," love Don Cheadle and Halle Berry, but what the heck is this movie about?
MAJOR PLAYERS: John Travolta (Battlefield Earth), Halle Berry (Bulworth), Hugh Jackman (Someone Like You), producer Joel Silver (The Matrix), and director Dominic Sena (Gone in Sixty Seconds).

Never count John Travolta out. I mean the man's had about three careers to this point. A stunningly bad 2000 like "Battlefield Earth" and the quirky, humorless dark comedy "Lucky Numbers" would be enough to kill anyone's career, again. But not J.T. In "Swordfish," the heavily hyped "from the producer of The Matrix" summer action flick, not only does Travolta come back, he comes back in flashy, explosive, summery style.

Who really knows what's going on in this movie? Not down on his luck, convicted computer hacker felon Stanley (Jackman), who has been barred from seeing his loving daughter in California because of his record and his dead end job that has him living in a Texas trailer park. All that can change when the impossibly sexy Ginger (Berry) shows up in his trailer, arousing his interest (and other things) in a trip to meet her boss/boyfriend, who pays him 100 G in cold hard cash just for meeting him. That boss/boyfriend is Gabriel (Travolta), a supposedly stylish, above-the-law type who lives a ridiculous lifestyle, flush with deep pockets and connections from his former government service days. He promises 10 million to Stanley if he can help him hack into the DEA's secret slush fund (from a dormant Operation Swordfish), more than enough money for Stanley to hire an attorney to win his daughter back. But, of course, nobody is quite what they seem to be.

Long on style and short on substance, this movie has the essential elements of its genre - action, action, action. Everything else takes a back seat - especially the acting. Travolta is never really menacing, but he does sneer his way capably throughout this movie. As an uber-patriotic terrorist to terrorists, Travolta is clearly on cruise control but definitely unlikable enough as a villain. As much as Halle has revived her old school REEL DEAL Crush status with her blatantly sexpot turn in this movie, it still wasn't much of a challenge for her, considering she WAS Dorothy Dandridge. Paid 2.5 million for the role, that rumored extra million for the topless shot is not only rumor no more, but also extremely gratuitous. And I don't mind. Jackman has his American accent down pat by now, a likable, sympathetic of a washout, but the emotional depth he hints at in the movie is quickly whisked away by action, action, action. And Don Cheadle (Traffic) is my man. I will watch that Negro read the dictionary, he is so compelling.

But Swordfish doesn't profess to be more than it is - brainless, explosive, summer eye candy. Opening in the middle and backtracking to the beginning, "Swordfish" blows up everything in sight in an opening shot that will keep them talking all summer - until the next action movie shot comes along that will keep them talking all summer. With racing images of a sliding chase down a cliffside, an improbably shootout in Downtown LA, and an aerial pursuit involving a BUS, "Swordfish" never pretends to be something it's not. With the same, golden hues that kissed several scenes in "Gone in Sixty Seconds" washing over most of this film, Sena is clearly trying to tread the Michael Bay path to directorial fame and fortune, which is not that bad a thing if you're an action junkie like myself.
If you're not, then Operation "Swordfish" - and the rest of this action-laden summer - may not be for you. But if you are, "Swordfish" is the password, and it is most certainly accepted.

@@@ REELS (THREE REELS)
It's pretty hot - go give it a shot.
Like what you read? Agree/disagree with The Reel Deal?
Think he's talkin' out his...HUSH YO' MOUF! (I'm only talkin' about The Reel Deal!) Email him at ReelReviewz@aol.com!
© 2001, THE REEL DEAL

*****THE REEL DEAL: Reviewz from the Street*****
BIASES: mid 20s black male; frustrated screenwriter who favors action, comedy, and glossy, big budget movies over indie flicks, kiddie flicks, and weepy Merchant Ivory fare
Missed a review?
Support those that support THE REEL DEAL - check out all reviews at HBCUnetwork.com!