The Peacemaker | | Cast : | George Clooney, Nicole Kidman | | Director : | Mimi Leder | | Studio : | Dreamworks Skg | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound, Dolby | | Released Date : | September 26, 1997 | | DVD Released Date : | June 03, 2003 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 25, 2005 | | Summary | Loves are actions and not only good reasons! | Content
 | This Spanish statement fits so well with this movie. Filmed in the middle of the Bosnian conflict, this original idea suffered a serious collapse. The initial sequences in which the nuclear weapons are stolen are magnificent. But suddenly the story falls downstairs through the employment of ultra known resources. There is nothing new under the sun: it's hard to believe that group of trained and convinced political fanatics act so predictably.
The final sequence is possibly resumes the lack of ambition I mean. This work could have been a dramatic warning, a real possibility in the actual moments we are living: a film that could have surmounted the anecdotic character and inscribe itself in the line of major works such Fail Safe for instance, Dr. Strangelove or the hunt of Red October, concludes such a histaminic movie with a happy ending and a laughable explosion.
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| Rating | | | Date | May 04, 2005 | | Summary | MASTERS OF PROPAGANDA... | Content
| The Peacemaker starts off incredibly well and continues so, up until about 20 minutes into the movie; from then on it's downhill all the way to the very bottom.
The good things first:
1) During the first third of the movie, the plot and the setting are excellent!
2) George Clooney and Nicole Kidman are TOP ACTORS!
3) The music is GREAT!
4) It's an adventure that includes some pretty exciting and exotic locations such as Russia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Austria, and the USA.
On the negative side now:
1) It's the same old/usual clichés involving Hollywood's favorite villains/scapegoats: Russians, Serbs, Germans (surprisingly Austrians and not Nazis for a change, but the insinuation is of course still there), and let's throw in the Iranians to make it more believable. Can we not find something more original than the USUAL German/Nazi "bad guy" cliché, together with the USUAL crazy/deranged/dangerous Russian "boogieman" leading to the USUAL need to be rescued by the benevolent Americans? Is that too much to ask? Why aren't the Turks or the Israelis ever the villains or even the Portuguese, the Swiss or the Swedes (names of countries chosen randomly)?
2) Clooney's character is way too chaotic, arrogant, insubordinate, obnoxious, and "gun ho" to be likable or realistic for that matter. Moreover, does he have a "license to kill?" Is he the American James Bond? Because what I saw was someone that violated practically every rule of engagement in the book! No reprimand, no nothing, for beatings and killings in the middle of Vienna? Are we to believe this is what we should expect from now on? Not good...
3) The mastermind of the theft is a Russian General in his late thirties/early forties??? I did not know that in Russia they reach that rank so young... (i.e. common sense indicates that he should have been much older!)
4) The film justifies the unjustifiable; a state unilaterally violating international law by invading the airspace of another sovereign country. How would the US have reacted, I wonder, if the roles had been reversed?
5) The US helicopters invaded Russian airspace, and of course (!!!) are not accountable to anyone. No subsequent diplomatic crisis/incident? No attempt at a UN condemnation?
6) Why was the Russian outpost near the Azerbaijani border not notified of the renegades (it was just a phone call away...)?
7) Why didn't the Russian Air Defense request or receive instructions on what to do with the American helicopters?
8) Where was the Russian Air Force (MIGs or Choppers) to intercept the Americans, and the renegades for that matter?
9) Where were the Russian ground troops to intercept the Americans, and the renegades for that matter (especially so near the frontier)?
10) No official Russian effort to arrest those "bandits/terrorists/renegades/traitors" that have stolen (!) and detonated (!) a nuclear bomb in Russia???
11) The writers have the "terrorist" going so far as to desecrate the sanctity of the church (i.e. scaring the children, chasing the priest out, bringing a nuclear bomb in, and finally blowing his brains out...)
12) The "terrorist" was identified by random cops (!) among thousands of people???
13) The "terrorist" was spotted by snipers among thousands of people???
14) The "terrorist" was intercepted among thousands among thousands of people???
15) The "terrorist" escaped thrice (!) after all that.
16) The "good guys" were just in time to prevent the blast???
17) The "good guys" were able to cause the destruction of the warhead mechanism???
18) Finally, the "good guys" survived the blast, which would have killed Godzilla, all the while, unscathed by the blast.
19) Nicole Kidman's character was overshadowed by George Clooney's character.
20) The not-so-hidden and rather dangerous political and "moral" (or lack of...) messages included in the film, plot/storyline for which the writers are to blame.
There is a term used in such situations and it's called... propaganda!
In short, the film does a fairly good job of getting the message across, as it should do, in making people aware of the evils of war and the fact that the international community is often slow to act. More importantly it sheds light (through the video tape) on the fact that certain countries profit by playing off all sides against each other (Divide and Conquer).
In conclusion, the potential for a great movie was there if only the writers had the ability to... write! A shame really...1½ Stars |
| Rating | | | Date | April 20, 2005 | | Summary | SMART INTELLIGENT THRILLER | Content
| THE PEACEMAKER is a tight, tough, intelligent thriller. Director Mimi Leder (Deep Impact) handles the action scenes very nicely and this movie has one of the most original and suspenseful car scenes in recent cinema. George Clooney fills the action shoes admirably, bringing a no-nonsense, but human, aspect to his character. Diverse Nicole Kidman is very effective in her role as another no-nonsense, by the books character. The chemistry between the two stars is very good. Avoiding the usual terrorist cliches, the film gives us a villain who is quiet, non-maniacal and whose cause we can at least understand, though we certainly can't condone his behavior. Armin Muehler Stahl is brilliant in a small role, and Marcus Ieulius (sp) is touching as the "villain" of the piece. The actors portraying the Russians are also on the mark. The climax as the bomb heads for the UN is suspensefully effective. For an "unheralded" action film, THE PEACEMAKER delivers. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 04, 2005 | | Summary | Inconsistent flow throughout | Content
| When I saw previews for this movie, it looked ok. When my friend said this looks off the chain, I'm like ok I'll see it. When I saw it, it was a total let down. The plot was horrible throughout, the dialogue was cheesy, George Clooney wasn't believable, and Nicole Kidman was in it which is another reason to hate this movie. I'm glad I don't remember this movie and I sure as hell don't want to. Avoid at all costs! |
| Rating | | | Date | February 25, 2005 | | Summary | Smart Thriller with Guts | Content
| George Clooney makes his big screen debut in this action political thriller about a man who gets his hands on a nuclear device and has deadly intentions for the city of New York.
Playing a tough break-all-the-rules special ops Colonial Thomas Devoe, he pursues the would be terrorist with help from Washington aid and nuclear specialist Julia Kelly, played with spunk by Nicole Kidman who once again adds her own classic touch to a character who could have otherwise been very boring. The plot can sound awfully clichéd and non-intellectual. But thankfully director Mimi Leder (Deep Impact & an E.R. regular) handles this movie with undeniable originality. Thanks to a realistic script where all actions DO have consequences, Kelly constantly reminds Devoe that there is protocol to follow.
The action scenes are good and keep you on the edge of your seat. But the real surprise is the plot of how the terrorist gets the bomb into the country. Although it probably would not work today in post 9-11, it is frightening to see how the process unfolds. No special technology, no gimmicks or tricks with the equipment. Just finding loopholes in the system. I won't state detail to keep from ruining the movie.
Clooney and Kidman have great chemistry together and the casting of the main villain with a no name casual character with sincere motives is an original twist. No spouting dialogue of vengeance or over the top characters. Kidman (once again with an American accent) is sharp and poignant. Clooney is a sensible if not egocentric action hero who tries to play by the rules at first but seems to end up using unorthodox tactics.
This movie is something between a popcorn flick and an intelligent thriller, melding action with smart and concise dialogue that will make you think. Highly recommended.
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