Enemy of the State (1998)

Going to see a new movie on New Years Day (1999) is somewhat of a thing to do round my neck of the woods. Maybe it's a good way to escape a shocking hangover! Unfortunately, most of the other million or so people in my city seem to agree and consequently going to the movies is like joining a re-enactment of D-Day. In 1998, we tried to get into Alien: Resurrection with little success, ending up retiring to the couch in defeat. So this year we headed to the new 'Megaplex' at Indooroopilly to see Enemy Of The State and Rush Hour. What - 2 movies you ask? Yes, 2 movies. Today will make up for the shock of 1998. We'll beat the crowds and buy tickets in plenty of time. With the choice of 16 screens, it can't be that bad...
Ahem... (the sound of continuous pouring rain and thunder of feet)
Steve - you take position in the riot that looks like ticket lines and I'll park the car...
We did manage to get tickets, then laughed at the ineptitude of the candy bar staff, then laughed at the ineptitude of the staff trying to control the crowds! Oh what joy...
Anyway, we got good seats in Cinema 1 (I think it was sold out), and sat back to watch the first of our New Year movies...
Enemy Of The State is a slick new action thriller from the Simpson/Bruckheimer stable that brought us such movies as Armageddon, Con-Air, The Rock, etc, etc. I think you get the picture. It's a big action pic, with lots of car chases, big boys techno toys and some wonderful violence at the end. The story goes that an obstinate politician (Jason Robards) is murdered while out walking the dog by the lake. The killer is none less than National Security Agent Reynolds (Jon Voight) and his pack of young NSA thugs. That's what happens when you don't go with the flow! But, little do they know that a wildlife camera positioned on the other side of the lake has filmed every detail. That is, until they're advised that a film has been made, and the chase begins. In a flurry of action, the film is dropped into the shopping bag of lawyer Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith). From the moment the tape falls into his possession, his personal life and career start to fall apart as the NSA monitor his every movement and 'adjust' his existence (including his credit cards!) As things turn worse, he meets Brill (Gene Hackman) who eventually decides to help him and turn some of the heat back onto the NSA...
No more plot for you - or you may as well not go, which would be a shame as it's quite good really.
The very ideas that are suggested in this movie are kind of scary, but probably quite real. Basically, if you want privacy on the planet Earth, then it's time to move to Mars.bIf you like fast action movies, then you'll love this. Boys - its definitely not a 'chick' flick - please don't mistake this movie for 'You've Got Mail', which is a nice film with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, etc, etc... (and I'm not reviewing it!)
Have a blast.
The Movie Nut's Rating - 7.5 Out Of 10
(originally posted on movies-australia.com very early in 1999)
IMDB Link