reviews: January 2007 Archives

Never has so much been spent on so little to entertain so few. The budget for this film was certainly epic, so it's a shame the comedy was so lackluster. No expense was seemingly spared on the CG effects, or the sets and wardrobe, but it was still a disappointing outing from the same group who brought us the laughs with the Scary Movie franchise. Perhaps they tried to reach too far, skewering everything from last year's Nacho Libre (which I recognized from the trailer, since I would never actually pay to see that) to The DaVinci Code. The only notable scenes in the whole movie are Darrell Hammond's spot-on parody of Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Carribean character: Capt Jack Swallows -- but don't waste your money on this one. Wait for video. Actually, no, don't bother.

The acting is superb, and DeNiro's direction is spot on, but don't go see this movie if you are in need of a nap. Drink some caffiene and be prepared to pay attention. I think I was just lucky, and noticed the right details, otherwise the whole thing might seem like a parade of random scenes. Despite the convoluted plot, there is a worthwhile message in this film. Although the message I took may not be the one intended, it is this: the excesses of our government allow agencies like the CIA to be even more dangerous than they would be otherwise.

I wonder if tourism will increase at the Skull and Bones Society's Deer Island after being glamorized in this movie? I have nothing against secret societies, indeed, they are often necessary to keep a runaway government in check. But when the members of these societies are also the same people wielding power within the government, the dangers are simply multiplied.

Some say the intent of this movie is to draw parallels between the Mafia and the CIA, but this is not a novel concept for those of us who long ago stopped viewing our government as a collection of benevolent heroes. Only the most naive among us will find this revelation at all shocking.