The Saint

Starring: Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue, Rade Serbedzija, Emily Mortimer
Directed by: Philip Noyce
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
1997

Times Seen:
Tim: 3

Summary: Master of disguise/illusion/espionage hero Simon Templar (Val Kilmer) is better known to the world as The Saint. Growing up in Catholic school, he possesses a vast knowledge of all the saints, and names each of his disguises after one. Templar meets his match when he steals a formula for cold fusion from a scientist (Elisabeth Shue) to sell to a Russian kingpin (Rade Servedzija). Now, Templar will have to work a miracle to fix the mess he's found himself in, and escape not only with the life of the scientist, but his own!

Review:

Tim: This film faced criticism from shying away from the television series starring Roger Moore. I myself have never seen the series, but I don't think the film is much of a disappointment. Okay, so the film isn't true to its original- big deal- you still have incredible acting all around, fancy technological wizardry, Val Kilmer in various disguises throughout the film, and enough action and suspense to make a quick trip to the bathroom seem like a life or death decision because you don't want to miss a second.

Val Kilmer is terrific in this film. He was called upon to not only play Simon Templar (which he does wonderfully, bringing to the character a great intelligence as well as a sense of humor that also shows a deep pain in his soul), but Kilmer had to also pull off wearing a number of disguises- from an Australian thief to a rich Spaniard to a man whose roots are in Africa. He does so convincingly and much to the delight of the viewers.

Elisabeth Shue was terrific in this film. Sadly, I have not seen much of her work, besides an early role opposite Tom Cruise in Cocktail (and she wasn't that spectacular). I wish she'd take more roles like this, as she makes a terrific action film heroine. She is tough and fragile at the same time, and you really connect with her immediately. She is convincing in the role of a scientist (unlike, say... Denise Richards as a nuclear scientist in The World Is Not Enough??). Her chemistry with Kilmer is superb.

The Saint gives you plenty of action, but even more impressive is the intelligence behind all the players in the espionage game. Of course, the Saint is the most intelligent one of all, but its so fun to watch the big guys match wits with each other.

If you haven't seen this movie or are wary of seeing it due to the criticism leveled at it, screw that- go take a chance, because I'm telling you that you will not regret it. The Saint has all the ingredients of a intelligent spy thriller, and makes for a very fun time.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
The Ghost and the Darkness, Batman: Forever, Cocktail, Snatch