ATF

This was supposed to be a TV pilot originally, and it would've been pretty damn cool as a series. As a movie, though, it works, though you get rather absorbed in finding out what happens to the character after this. Kathy Baker's cool in an obvious Scarpetta ripoff character, and Amy Brennaman is cool. It's full of the usual Cornwell angst: sex in a car, dead people who meant a lot to the leads, dangerous missions to catch the bad guy, relatively happy endings. All in all, an 8 on the ratings scale; I hope that PC's next project involves bringing Dr. Scarpetta to the big screen.

This movie would have been a bad project for any artist. The plot was predictable, but so unrealistic on so many levels until even hard core fans of Amy Brenneman and Kathy Baker could find little to enjoy about this movie. Time and time again good police procedure and common sense were abandoned to make way for this uneven tale. Even with the support of veteran actors Keith David and John Beasley this film still has little about it that can be redeemed.

Amy Brennenman, the main character is creditable as a very troubled ATF agent perhaps to the point of entertaining a death wish after participating in the ill-fated Branch Davidians raid at Waco, TX, and watching her sibling, a fellow-agent die in her arms of gunshot wounds sustained in the raid.

Kathy Baker is solid as the ATF Director, but instead of insisting on some type of administrative leave and counseling for Amy, she allows her to become a deep undercover in an attempt by the ATF to infiltrate yet another Branch Davidian-like sect who are suspected of dealing in deadly assault weapons, and domestic terrorist activity. Amy is deep inside the sect with no backup, and no line of communication to the outside so there is considerable concern for her safety, and pressure from a very ambitious FBI Director (Keith) to raid the compound while Baker is doing all she can to prevent another bloodbath like the one seen at Waco.

Besides the movie was lame, bad acting, bad directing, sappy music, melodramatic face zooms.... At the end of the day, the dirt of the Waco story has surfaced and this is a shameful attempt to cover for a military action against citizens in this country. CS gas was used on that compound, a volatile solvent that would be considered a war crime if used in a time of war since it was banned by the Geneva Convention in 1925. CS Gas has a long history of burning buildings to the ground, go look into it. Fact is, Janet Reno and everyone involved should have been hanged. Bet you a beer IMDB doesn't publish this review.

it only gets a rating of 2 because the production value is OK. directing and editing are just poor. the sound could be better also. there is little real drama, even for a lifetime TV production. but what really concerns me is the gun control propaganda. for example serial numbers would not be put on ghost guns, but they appear here. i suppose those who support gun control will appreciate the movie and focus on what little human relationship drama there is in the plot. oh, and the main cast is better than this. i am surprised that their agents were not able to shelve this title. all the players have done much better work.

This made for TV ( and boy is it ever ) movie reminded me of Gomer Pyle but without the canned laughter. Amy Brenneman is Gomer and Kathy Baker is Sargeant Carter. Amy (Gomer) is always screwing up while Sargeant Carter (Baker) always has to scream at her for screwing up.

The "rogue cop who always proves the chief wrong" angle is sooooooo played out. Too much pathos, too little craftiness, too much predictability, too little ingenuity.

pass on this one

Damien