TV watcher

Enemy of the State

review by Orlando C. Fernando

December 1, 1998

Storyline: 8 (0=worst, 10=best)
Originality: 5
Acting: 7
Special Effects: 8
Overall: B+ (F=worst, A=best)

This movie sheds new light to Sting's "I'll Be Watching You" lyrics. Robert Dean (Will Smith) a no-nonsense district attorney, gets involved in the middle of a deadly political plot with the FBI, a renown senator (Jason Robards Jr.), and NSA Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight). There is a Congressional bill in the House that would grant government rights to use surveillance cameras to monitor civilians whenever they felt necessary. Albert tries to convince, then blackmail his fellow colleague senator into voting in favor of the bill. Being a man of principal, the senator refuses on both attempts. So Albert resorts to murder and makes it look like homicide. A bystander coincidentally captures the murder on video camera and is consequently hunted by the FBI for the evidence. Just before the bystander is killed during the chase, he passes the videotape to unsuspecting Robert. This is where his life turns into a nightmare. The story centers around Robert's struggle to realize why he is hunted while they ruin his job and family life in a flash.

W ill Smith continues his trend of getting great movie breaks with multi-star casts (after "Independence Day" and "Men In Black") with this fast-paced story aimed to explore but not analyze federal probes / right to privacy issues. It's really more of a suspense thriller than an action film, as we see Will portraying more of an alert but scared family man then a young hip talker (though that side of him is in there for some comic relief). Aside from seeing the great Robards back in good form (still remember him from "Something Wicked This Way Comes"?), Gene Hackman as Brill was a show stealer as a bitter but helpful link to getting Will's life back into perspective. When he makes his debut, one really questions what his intentions are with Robert, given that the rest of his life goes to complete turmoil. And among the mix is his old college flame turned private eye Rachel Banks (Lisa Bonet of "Cosby Show" fame) which he maintains business contact with despite his marriage to suspicious Carla (Regina King, of "227" fame). Seth Green (the beloved Oz from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") also has a no-nonsense attitude being one of the head surveillance operatives. Even quite a few animals get to play roles in the story!

I n the true sense of a thriller, this 2-hour movie wastes no time in getting the plot established and running. The opening credits are shot from a slick satellite surveillance camera which conveys the mood that your every move can be tracked down to the nearest street block. From that point on, the surveillance equipment uses and shots continue to be amazing effects work. The story does get more complex as more people are introduced (including Mafia members), and the climax can get quite confusing, but it gets pleasantly humorous as well. The action scenes may give you a recollection with "The Fugitive", "Erasure", or "The Net", but I think it gravitates more to the thriller side of "The Firm". This movie's worth a look at any price, whether you're a Will Smith fan (as I), love action thrillers, or just always wondered exactly how many satellites and probes are up there in the sky?