The International - REVIEW'd
February 16th, 2009
The movie opens with this intense, brooding Clive Owen stare…
Can’t stop wondering what the hell he’s staring at, other than a curious movie theatre audience…which he probably can’t see…
So, one would think this is the start of a gunfight bang bang shoot-em-up action sequence. But, nope…oh right, that’s Owen’s other Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical dvd Giù la testa download movie.
Still, The International is plenty suspenseful from the start with that stare from main character, Louis Salinger (Owen) and an abundance of conspiracy theories of the who’s-in-on-it-who’s not ilk but a little deeper
Every character bounces off of Salinger’s frustration with “the system”, or a system that seems to be cheating someone out of something that isn’t exactly made clear first but has big-picture consequences over immediate ones.
No sudden global threat, terrorist murder scheme or evil-doer with pet in hand and scar or eye-patch making demands. Definitely more drama than action here, which makes this a suspenseful romp worthy of the “thriller” classification it’s been getting.
Interpol agent Salinger somehow teams up with Manhattan District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) to take down the large international bank that holds the key to arms dealings with small warring nations. The big money given to weapons for small military coups in weak government countries thing is a well-documented assumption among conspiracy theorists, historians, politicians, etc often proven correct.
The main international dilemma can be assumed as the old “big power of few effects the well-being of the small many”, especially since this big international power (international bank, IBBC) eliminates any witness or person getting too close to their dealings. Pretty straight-forward but some interesting twists still thrown in, so don’t give up yet! (The other international dilemma being how in the world Salinger affords these cross-continent trips…hmm.)
The other main character, Whitman (Naomi Watts), fills the emotional female role that explores more of Salinger’s background and reveals some of it to us. (The man is used to getting bounced around and silenced by higher-ups and she forces about why that is, because you know, he’s all mysterious and fed up.) This may explain her near-absence throughout the most climactic last half-hour or so.
This is Owen’s show. And he plays the paranoia role well enough that you start to wonder if it’s the movie or are you just paranoid.
But the movie itself feels slow with much discussion over politics taking the place of action that you’d expect from a movie pushed back to February from August just to ADD more action. It still feels more drama than action-thriller as it’s marketed.
All the deep complexities of the story can’t completely fit in while attempting to add action. The trailer does an excellent job of sucking you in. Then, you realize how so close you are to a Ronin-like car chase through crowded foreign streets but then end Salinger continues on foot and just is not that fast. Another failed circumstance is how the IBBC’s top executioner is so easily traced due to VERY unique characteristics, this cracks the story open early and drags on. The one great gun-blazing out of nowhere scene does help; as it takes place in a very public NYC area without much warning at all (check the trailer again). This sequence brings together rivals as allies momentarily as the suspense keeps you guessing as to who is on who’s side. By its end, it is clear but the movie is far from over.
Overall, the movie showcases some beautiful scenery on location in
So, come for the suspense, stay for the (yes THE ONE) action sequence and get caught up in the story. Owen nails his character but
Naomi Watts gets hit by a car… unexpectedly…but so does Clive Owen! Haha.
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Che.