Great Film: Stealth
Thoughtless, but entertaining in a non-insulting way (that's good)
Stealth is devoid of higher thinking (or maybe any thinking at all).
However it has couple of good things going for it:
1. Special effects are well-used. the planes and missiles and
explosions rock. the dog fights do not rely on editing but are given a
good effort.
2. Yes the premise is dumb - we assume correctly it would not be
supported by thoughtful investigation into the mechanics behind the
artificial pilot. However, the movie recognizes this fact and does not
pretend to have given the matter much thought. It is straight and
honest, though still mindless. But hey, that's alright sometimes.
3. The story is simple, but not linear - and that counts for a lot in a
movie of this type, because it is unexpected and not required. Stealth
has moments where it feels like an epic, albeit a mind-free one.
4. Have you noticed that it's often better to imply a romantic
sentiment between the main characters rather than slamming it in your
face, especially in an action movie which has precious little time to
develop the relationship to begin with? You haven't? Uh that's not
good... Anyway, Stealth doesn't kid us with a hasty obligatory romance
but gives its characters some room to maneuver between inter-pilot and
inter-personal relationships. What was the last summer popcorn movie
you can remember that similarly uh, respected our intelligence? I am
giving Stealth a lot of credit here. Let's just say if it insulted my
intelligence, I was happy to let it slide this time because I was
having a good time.
5. Ultimately Stealth is entertaining from beginning to end. It
"respects" our intelligence by not appearing to be smarter than dumb.
Stupid is less stupid when it doesn't pretend.
I hope you give this movie a chance, and notice how it differs in the
formula and execution from what you may have anticipated and from other
mindless summer blockbusters.
Thanks.
Cast
- Lt. Ben Gannon played by Josh Lucas
- Lt. Henry Purcell played by Jamie Foxx
- Capt. Dick Marshfield played by Joe Morton
- Capt. George Cummings played by Sam Shepard
- Lt. Kara Wade played by Jessica Biel
- Lt. Aaron Shaftsbury played by Ian Bliss
- Dr. Keith Orbit played by Richard Roxburgh
