This film can be very easily summarized as an average thriller. The films' premise, , locations, and action scenes are exactly that: average. The film's saving graces are in its actors, storyline execution, and music.
The acting isn't top notch but its good. Charlie Sheen does rather well in the role of Bobby Bishop, the young Presidential aide who gets unintentionally swept up in a dangerous conspiracy, though his youth hurts the credibility of the character. Donald Sutherland put son a good performance as Joseph Conrad, the White House Chief of Staff, with one of his best "trust me" roles as a good guy who turns out to be not so good. Linda Hamilton does all right in the role of the journalist and Bishop's love interest Amanda Givens, though she seems a bit too old for Bishop. Stephen Lang does incredibly well in the role of the role of the villain who manages to thwart our heroes at every turn. Short appearances by Gore Vidal as a Congressman and Sam Waterston as the President also help the film. The execution of the story is slightly above average. The idea of a conspiracy against the President is nothing knew but having members of the President's inner circle be responsible seems to be the most original idea of the film and the plot holes are caused not by the story but by the film's action sequences.
The film's other plus is its music. The music score by Bruce Broughton is terrific. It does incredibly well over what would otherwise have been a very unimpressive main title sequence by adding a thundering, patriotic tone. The music adds some much needed suspense to many of the films otherwise tired scenes, especially the finale.
The rest of the film is otherwise average. The plot of the government plotting against the President (previously seen in films like Seven Days In May) returns once more, though not to the great effect it was used in that 1960's classic. The action sequences in the film are not only average, but are the main source of the plot holes. The action sequence in a White House elevator shaft serves as a major point. How does Bishop, who is wanted by the Secret Service, manage to not only get in the White House but to escape from it as well? This is one of many examples from the film. The only action sequence that manages to go above average is the finale sequence: the assassination attempt. It is the only sequence in the film that manages to hold suspense despite the fact that the assassination method is silly.
Despite the average nature of most of the film, this is still worth watching. The acting, plot , and music make this film worth watching. Besides, it is a pretty good way to spend 100 minutes in front of your TV.
The acting isn't top notch but its good. Charlie Sheen does rather well in the role of Bobby Bishop, the young Presidential aide who gets unintentionally swept up in a dangerous conspiracy, though his youth hurts the credibility of the character. Donald Sutherland put son a good performance as Joseph Conrad, the White House Chief of Staff, with one of his best "trust me" roles as a good guy who turns out to be not so good. Linda Hamilton does all right in the role of the journalist and Bishop's love interest Amanda Givens, though she seems a bit too old for Bishop. Stephen Lang does incredibly well in the role of the role of the villain who manages to thwart our heroes at every turn. Short appearances by Gore Vidal as a Congressman and Sam Waterston as the President also help the film. The execution of the story is slightly above average. The idea of a conspiracy against the President is nothing knew but having members of the President's inner circle be responsible seems to be the most original idea of the film and the plot holes are caused not by the story but by the film's action sequences.
The film's other plus is its music. The music score by Bruce Broughton is terrific. It does incredibly well over what would otherwise have been a very unimpressive main title sequence by adding a thundering, patriotic tone. The music adds some much needed suspense to many of the films otherwise tired scenes, especially the finale.
The rest of the film is otherwise average. The plot of the government plotting against the President (previously seen in films like Seven Days In May) returns once more, though not to the great effect it was used in that 1960's classic. The action sequences in the film are not only average, but are the main source of the plot holes. The action sequence in a White House elevator shaft serves as a major point. How does Bishop, who is wanted by the Secret Service, manage to not only get in the White House but to escape from it as well? This is one of many examples from the film. The only action sequence that manages to go above average is the finale sequence: the assassination attempt. It is the only sequence in the film that manages to hold suspense despite the fact that the assassination method is silly.
Despite the average nature of most of the film, this is still worth watching. The acting, plot , and music make this film worth watching. Besides, it is a pretty good way to spend 100 minutes in front of your TV.