This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Mercenaries
Plot Overview
Underfunded, shadowy Irishman Seamus O'Rourke
(Jonathan Pryce) being unable to outbid the Russians on an encased
item—it has MacGuffin written all over it—has lovely,
lilting Colleen: Deirdre (Natascha McElhone) contract to hijack it
in transit to the “very unpleasant” Ruskies. Her five
unpolished contacts (Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Stellan
Skarsgård, Sean Bean and Skipp Sudduth) are unemployed
(“seven fat years and seven lean”) since the end of the
cold war (“it's in the Bible.”) They meet in a Parisian
café to discuss terms.
For an
in-transit ambush in Nice, they plan as in a Michaeil Connelly
novel: “with a long table and a whiteboard wall where
raids, cases, and deployments could be
D&Ded—diagrammed and discussed” (158). They
eliminate one of their members as a poseur. Another is
responsible for acquiring a list of arms & equipment. Sam
(Robert De Niro), the man with a plan, and point person
Deirdre posing as man & wife scope out the hotel where the
opposition is staying. Come time for the hit, and the best
laid plans of mice and men—
After a running gun battle the
package gets swiped by a traitor, deposited in the mail, and
possessed by the Russians who must be confronted at a crowded ice
skating show at Le
Zenith arena in Arles. More violence ensues.
Ideology
After the dust has settled—think auto wreckage—there occurs an announcement on the BBC saying the world is now a safer place. (Prov. 11:10) “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.”
Production Values
“” (1998) was directed by John Frankenheimer. It was written by J.D. Zeik and David Mamet. It stars Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Jonathan Pryce, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård, and Sean Bean. Good actors made for good acting. The figure skater was played by Katarina Witt, winner of two Olympic and four world championships. The stunt drivers were professionals. Don't try what they did on the road.
It was rated R for strong violence and some language. Robert Fraisse used cinematography filmed in colorful Super 35 and Panavision. Elia Cmiral provided thrilling and atmospheric original music. It has a surprise ending. Runtime ≈ 2 hours.
Review Conclusion w/a Christian's Recommendation
One Bible passage is briefly discussed by characters who are not overtly religious though their life work might drive them to it, employed or not. This one is heavy on road action—hold onto your seat (or your date.)
Movie Ratings
Action factor: Edge of your seat action-packed. Suitability For Children: Not Suitable for Children of Any Age. Special effects: Well done special effects. Video Occasion: Fit For a Friday Evening. Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall movie rating: Four stars out of five.
Works Cited
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version. Pub. 1611, rev. 1769. Software.
Connelly, Michael. The Wrong Side of Goodbye. Copyright © 2016 by Hieronymus, Inc. New York: Little, Brown and Co., First Edition: November 2016. Print.
bibles.n7nz.org