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Movies / On DVD / Enemy of the State
Enemy of the State

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Enemy of the State (1998)

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Reviews Counted:81

Fresh:57

Rotten:24

Average Rating:6.4/10

Consensus: Will Smith gives a charismatic performance in this fast-paced thriller.

Runtime: 2 hrs 12 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Synopsis: Robert Dean (Will Smith) is a labor lawyer who is unknowingly in possession of evidence related to a serious politically motivated crime. Government agents eager to hide their guilt believe that... Robert Dean (Will Smith) is a labor lawyer who is unknowingly in possession of evidence related to a serious politically motivated crime. Government agents eager to hide their guilt believe that Dean is on to them, and proceed to turn his life upside-down, ruin his reputation, and frame him for various incidents, thanks to the latest in high-tech government surveillance techniques. In an attempt to clear his name and reclaim his life, Dean teams up with the reclusive Brill (Gene Hackman), a former federal employee who has as much high-tech equipment and expertise as the government itself. Hackman's role is an extension of Harry Caul, the character he portrayed in Francis Ford Coppola's brilliant 1974 film, THE CONVERSATION. Smith scores as a man who is desperate to reclaim his identity and prove his innocence. This intense technological thrill-ride from director Tony Scott questions how much access the government should have to the communications of private citizens, and leaves the viewer with the unsettling feeling that Big Brother is definitely watching. Watch for the uncredited appearances of Jason Robards, Seth Green, Tom Sizemore, and Philip Baker Hall. [More]

Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King

Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Lisa Bonet, Loren Dean, Jake Busey, Scott Caan, Jason Lee, Barry Pepper, Jack Black, Jamie Kennedy, Gabriel Byrne, Grant Heslov

Director: Tony Scott

Director: Tony Scott
Screenwriter: David Marconi
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Composer: Trevor Rabin, Harry Gregson-Williams

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Enemy of the State

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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A highly enjoyable hi-tech thriller.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
03/30/09
Richard Luck
Richard Luck
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Add Smith's lippy innocent and a host of subcontracted indie fresh faces, and you have the Bruckheimer formula: loud, lavish, seemingly efficient; over-large, over-long, over-plotted. Safe and sorry.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A truly substantial looker for the holidays, it's that rare Bruckheimer project in which style is matched by content.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/01/00
Andrew Collins
Andrew Collins
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A thriller that didn't thrill me, with heroes I didn't care about, villains I didn't believe and a plot I could not follow.

Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic

All in all, not a bad way to kill a couple of hours, but we expected more from the artist fromerly known as the Fresh Prince.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
E! Online
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Enemy of the State tries very hard to make us leave the theatre as government-fearing as its jittery protagonist becomes, but it succeeds in only entertaining us, which is obviously its foremost purpose.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

Either way, after seeing it, you'll be more conscious of the technology surrounding you.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
rec.arts.movies.reviews

It's enough to restore my confidence in Hollywood's ability to put out a pretty good movie and a popcorn-muncher at the same time.

Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

Distinctly uneven but generally entertaining...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
07/22/06
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

The net result is fairly low-tension yet satisfyingly off-kilter.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dennis Lim
Dennis Lim
Village Voice

It satisfies needs of those who crave for quality entertainment as much as the needs of those who like some food for thought.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
10/08/04
Dragan Antulov
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Handsome, charismatic and funny, Smith gives the film a likability it would otherwise lack.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
01/01/00
Duane Dudek
Duane Dudek
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

If you're getting sick of listening to peek-a-boo testimony and hearing government snoops justify themselves, Enemy of the State is good for what ails you.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
Edvins Beitiks
Edvins Beitiks
San Francisco Examiner

Fast-paced and packed with action and thrills!

Full Review Source: NUVO Newsweekly | comment Comment
01/01/00
Edward Johnson-Ott
Edward Johnson-Ott
NUVO Newsweekly

A briskly paced actioner!

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
01/01/00
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This political thriller unspools with a quick pace and a mix of clever action sequences.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/03/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
04/02/05
Garth Franklin
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons

Somewhat superficial, but not half bad!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Gary Thompson
Gary Thompson
Philadelphia Daily News

If the creation of paranoia is entertainment, Enemy of the State works.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Gene Siskel
Gene Siskel
Chicago Tribune

It's a popcorn thriller with a wonderful performance by the warm-and-fuzzy Will Smith who proves that you don't need big muscles, a large piece, or even military training to be an uncommon hero.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
01/01/00
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Enemy of the State

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