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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 rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

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

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
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
03/24/02
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Since Scott could not make this film snap, crackle or pop faster or more loudly, you might find the evening a bit light.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Jeff Millar
Jeff Millar
Houston Chronicle

Points gained for action and suspense, points lost for unoriginal premise and tired cliches.

Full Review Source: Radio Free Entertainment | comment Comment
01/01/00
Andrew Manning
Andrew Manning
Radio Free Entertainment

One shaky mess!

comment Comment
01/01/00
Bob Fenster
Bob Fenster
Arizona Republic

It should be called Enemy of Restraint.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
01/01/00
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

High production values and Gene Hackman are the only things that stand out in this run-of-the-mill Hollywood paranoia thriller. The unimaginative plot consists mostly of Will Smith being chased around by government agents.

comment Comment
08/11/03
Carlo Cavagna
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

Scott loads on equipment displays, speed-drill editing and the convulsive shocks that can relieve his dead feeling for characters.

comment Comment
01/01/00
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

When a movie's trailer is more entertaining than the movie, due to its increased lucidity and more relaxed pace, that should be enough to tip off any filmmaker that he's on the wrong track.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/01/00
David Luty
David Luty
Film Journal International

The movie has plenty of high-tech power, spinning out action so explosive you'll hardly notice how preposterous the story is or how cardboard-thin the characters are.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment 1 Comment
04/01/03
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

Five times better than Bruckheimer's previous embarrassment, Armageddon. Of course, that isn't to say that it's actually good. It's just saying that it isn't terrible.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

the latest flashy, sterile package to come off producer Jerry Bruckheimer's assembly line

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
06/23/02
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

This lethargic paranoid thriller is one film that actually could have benefitted from the trademark Bruckheimer bombast.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

As with a delicious gallon of Grade-A milk, it's sad to see a good movie turn sour.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jeffrey Huston
Jeffrey Huston
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Preposterous.

comment 2 Comments
10/05/03
Josh Gilchrist
Josh Gilchrist
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Another hackneyed, high-concept action flick!

Full Review Source: Mr. Showbiz | comment Comment
01/01/00
Kevin Maynard
Kevin Maynard
Mr. Showbiz

In case you haven't figured it out yet, you're being watched as you read this.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Matt Lawrence
Matt Lawrence
Filmcritic.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
all

Latest News for Enemy of the State

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