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Basic (2003)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
James Vanderbilt (written by)
Release Date:
28 March 2003 (USA)
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Tagline:
Deception is their most dangerous weapon. more
Plot:
A DEA agent investigates the disappearance of a legendary Army ranger drill sergeant and several of his cadets during a training exercise gone severely awry. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(18 articles)
Loaded with bonus features The Taking of Pelham 123 storms to DVD and Blu-ray
(From Monsters and Critics. 23 August 2009, 1:05 PM, PDT)
James Vanderbilt Tackles Spiderman 5 and 6
(From Atomic Popcorn. 17 August 2009, 5:37 AM, PDT)
(From Monsters and Critics. 23 August 2009, 1:05 PM, PDT)
James Vanderbilt Tackles Spiderman 5 and 6
(From Atomic Popcorn. 17 August 2009, 5:37 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Strong, Original, Entertaining
more (265 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| John Travolta | ... | Hardy | |
| Connie Nielsen | ... | Osborne | |
| Samuel L. Jackson | ... | West | |
| Tim Daly | ... | Styles | |
| Giovanni Ribisi | ... | Kendall | |
| Brian Van Holt | ... | Dunbar | |
| Taye Diggs | ... | Pike | |
| Dash Mihok | ... | Mueller | |
| Cristián de la Fuente | ... | Castro | |
| Roselyn Sanchez | ... | Nunez | |
| Harry Connick Jr. | ... | Vilmer | |
| Georgia Hausserman | ... | Pilot | |
| Margaret Travolta | ... | Nurse #1 | |
| Dena Johnston | ... | Nurse #2 | |
| Nick Loren | ... | Helicopter Pilot |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Basic - Hinter jeder Lüge eine Wahrheit (Germany)
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MPAA:
Rated R for violence and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
98 min
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Malaysia:18SG (uncut version) |
Malaysia:U (cut version) |
Netherlands:12 (TV rating) |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:14A (Ontario) (DVD rating) |
Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) (original rating) |
France:U |
Spain:13 |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:MA |
Brazil:14 |
Denmark:15 |
Finland:K-15 |
Germany:16 |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Mexico:B15 |
Netherlands:16 |
New Zealand:R16 |
Norway:15 |
Peru:14 |
Philippines:PG-13 |
Singapore:M18 (re-rating) |
Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) |
South Korea:15 |
Sweden:15 |
Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:15 |
USA:R (certificate #39367) |
Iceland:16
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Every time the story of the bunker is retold, each person has a different partner.
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Goofs:
Continuity: Before following Hardy in her Hummer, Osborne is shown in the driver's seat wearing a jacket, which has disappeared once she sets the vehicle in motion.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Osbourne: [voiceover] The French tried to build a canal here before the Americans. At the height of their effort, 500 workers were dying every week from malaria and yellow fever. They couldn't come up with cemetery space fast enough, not to mention the morale problem all those crosses would have made...
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Osbourne: [voiceover] The French tried to build a canal here before the Americans. At the height of their effort, 500 workers were dying every week from malaria and yellow fever. They couldn't come up with cemetery space fast enough, not to mention the morale problem all those crosses would have made...
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Movie Connections:
References Broken Arrow (1996)
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Soundtrack:
Comparsa de Los Muertos
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (265 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Basic (2003)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Travolta's Workout | macktruck909 |
| girls | Acidrush1 |
| Giovanni Ribisi | Tordenvaer |
| underrated? | citygurl104 |
| Yes... | C_For_Short |
| the weather | hcmort |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
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Related Links
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Tagged by many critics as overly predictable despite trying to be the complete opposite, BASIC is nevertheless a strong, original and entertaining film.
The cast, from big names John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson to lesser-knowns Connie Nielsen and Taye Diggs, ably unravels the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a reviled army sergeant during a hardcore training outing. The episode is recounted in as many ways by as many witnesses, an interesting method that has worked so well in other films such as COURAGE UNDER FIRE. It may all seem confusing at first, but gifted director John McTiernan gradually weaves everything together, though perhaps not as seamlessly as one would ideally prefer.
BASIC is not without its flaws, but they are not as glaring as one might think from professional reviews, or even many of the comments on this website. Its originality is welcome at a time when so many films follow the same cookie-cutter formula.