The Siege | | Cast : | Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis | | Director : | Edward Zwick | | Studio : | Twentieth Century Fox | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, DTS Surround Sound, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | November 06, 1998 | | DVD Released Date : | September 14, 2004 | | Language : | English (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 30, 2005 | | Summary | Genuinely Disturbing Action Thriller | Content
 | When "The Siege" was originally released in 1998, it got mixed reviews and fared moderately at the box office. However, after 9/11, interest in this film spiked, and now is judged as ahead of its time since it depicts terrorism in such a similar way to what happened here in 200 and what happened this month in London.
The film's plot seems fictional enough. FBI agent Anthony "Hub" Hubbard (Denzel Washington) is the leader of an FBI terrorism unit. When a dud bomb goes off on a bus, an investigation is launched. They come up emtpy until they hook up with Elise Kraft (Annette Benning), who helps them with their search. When a city bus blows up and the terrorists start attacking theaters, schools and even the FBI headquarters, the U.S. Army, led by William Deveraux (Bruce Wilis). However, the army declares marshal law on the city, and pretty much arrests every Muslim, Arab and Iraqi in the city, including Hubbard's partner's (Tony Shaloub) son. Hubbard is outraged with the treatment of the prisoners, and orders the FBI to arrest Deveraux. It all results in an unforgettable climax that will stay with you forever.
The film may not be 100 % realistic (I doubt we'll ever be under marshall law), but this film echoes the events of today so much it becomes disturbing to watch. I'd only recommend to certain people. |
| Rating | | | Date | June 02, 2005 | | Summary | The Siege ! | Content
| Good flick when it was released.It sheds light on terrorist opperating in America who were trained by Americans in the years before.Rutheless bombings occur in this movie , even human punishment were shown on a top terrorist.I'd buy this movie for 13 dollars , but The Siege isn't on or at the top of my list of movies to buy. |
| Rating | | | Date | May 19, 2005 | | Summary | Remarkably Disappointing | Content
| When I rented this movie, I had the feeling I'd already seen it before. However, with the cast of Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, and Bruce Willis, I thought 'surely, this couldn't have been that forgettable.'
Unfortunately, it was. The only thing worse than watching a bad film once is not remembering how bad it was, and watching it again. Allow me to explain why this film is grade "A" crap.
I'm not here to argue with the politics of the film, or to go against the message. I actually don't disagree with it. The problem is, to make the message possible in the effectiveness of its delivery in the film, The relationship between the FBI and the Army has to become a horrendous, unrealistic cartoon. I want to clarify that I have no problem with hypothetical and/or fantastic results in events portrayed in film, however, I do have a problem when they are flat out highly improbable, or impossible; under the assumption that this film is supposed to fairly and realistically portray the American response after a crisis.
On a juvenile note, this movie is bait-and-switch to the max. The back of the film talks about an 'all out war' when martial law is declared... and crap like 'non-stop action!'. Well, folks, this movie has about as much action as "Cold Mountain." What we do get is a flurry of preachy political anthems and mediocre dialogue.
For anyone who has the common sense to understand the relationship between the CIA, HSA, FBI and Army, this movie will piss you off beyond belief. All other agencies are antagonized until becoming cartoon evils, except for the FBI.
My 'favorite' part in the film happens when Annette Bening is dying and begins to recite the Lords prayer. Denzel, hovering above her, joins her emotional last words with quiet murmurs and soft movements of his lips. Near the end of her recital, she says quite clearly, "Praise Allah."
This makes no sense in correlation to plot trajectory, character development, or sensibility of the film. It's offensive, it doesn't make sense, and It's indulgent writing and directing with no concern for the obviousness of stupid throw-ins and scenarios.
What I just described above is a concentrated account of what the entire film is like. I was angry, disappointed, and felt manipulated, especially when Denzel's character delivered the same speech twice.
The people that got duped by this film should be almost as ashamed as the people who made it. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 27, 2005 | | Summary | This hits to close to home! | Content
| I recently saw MAN ON FIRE, and I went back into Denzel Washington's catalog and picked this one up. I must say for a movie that was made three years before the 9/11 tragedy, this movie really hits home! It was almost too real! Anyway, this movie is a very good action picture and is definitely worth your time to see it! |
| Rating | | | Date | January 14, 2005 | | Summary | WELL DONE BUT PATRONIZING | Content
| One can't fault the quality of movie-making in THE SIEGE. Director Edward Zwick has crafted a tense, involving thriller with superior performances from Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis and Tony Shalhoub. However, in trying to be politically correct, we are forced to watch people march in protest as Arab Americans are grantedly wrongfully imprisoned in camps reminiscent of WWII Japanese. However, where were these protesters when innocent people were being killed in buses and movie theaters. The script also tries to evoke sympathy for the character of Shamir (spelling) who is Bening's convenient informant/lover. We are asked to understand his motivations, knowing full well he is not the "angel" Bening tries to paint, or rather the script tries to paint. The script once again decries the American government for its covert handling of terrorists like the shiek, who remember did cause the murders at the American barracks. The movie also shows that the Americans do not know how to effectively handle these kind of terrorists. Remember, these people believe they will go to heaven, so suicide bombing is nothing to them. Why Willis and crew thought they could torture someone is beyond me; they do not care if they die. How to effectively handle this type of terrorist remains a paradoxical problem. But back to the movie: some fine cinematography, some truly riveting and gut-wrenching moments, and a good score by Graeme Revell. However, in trying to play all sides of the cards, it seems to have lost its focus on what really mattered. |
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