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Spartan

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Spartan (2004)

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Reviews Counted:129

Fresh:82

Rotten:47

Average Rating:6.5/10

Consensus: A good cast and Mamet's mastery over the written language elevate an otherwise conventional thriller.

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Robert Scott (VAL KILMER) is a career military officer working in a highly secretive special operations force. A man hardened by years of brutal service, he is respected by his peers and elders in... Robert Scott (VAL KILMER) is a career military officer working in a highly secretive special operations force. A man hardened by years of brutal service, he is respected by his peers and elders in the world of espionage. When Scott is recruited to find Laura Newton (KRISTEN BELL), the daughter of a high-ranking government official, he is paired with novice Curtis (DEREK LUKE), who becomes his protégé. Working with a special task force comprised of Presidential Advisors, the Secret Service, FBI and CIA, Scott and Derek stumble upon a white slavery ring, which may have some connection to Laura’s disappearance. As the story unfolds, the straightforward search-and-rescue mission becomes complicated by the political ambitions of those in high places – like Stoddard (WILLIAM H. MACY), a political operative who may know more than he’s telling about the clandestine circumstances surrounding Laura’s abduction. Scott and Curtis are at the brink of tracking Laura’s whereabouts when the mission comes to an abrupt conclusion, with the media issuing reports of the girl’s death. Scott returns to the quiet life of landowner in a rural location and awaits his next assignment in relative peace. But Curtis can’t rest. In his naiveté, he seeks out Scott to confide his belief that Laura is in fact alive. If she is, their continued unofficial investigation will put them as well as Laura at the center of a dangerous conspiracy that reaches the highest levels. Franchise Pictures presents Spartan, a political thriller written and directed by DAVID MAMET and starring VAL KILMER, DEREK LUKE, ED O’NEILL and WILLIAM H. MACY. Spartan is produced by ART LINSON, MOSHE DIAMANT and ELIE SAMAHA, and executive produced by FRANK HUBNER. The director of photography is JUAN RUIZ ANCHIA; the production designer is GEMMA JACKSON; and the editor BARBARA TULLIVER. Spartan will distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. -- © Warner Bros. [More]

Starring: Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, William H. Macy, Tia Texada

Starring: Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, William H. Macy, Tia Texada, Kristen Bell, Ed O'Neill

Director: David Mamet

Director: David Mamet
Screenwriter: David Mamet
Producer: Moshe Diamant, Art Linson, Elie Samaha
Composer: Mark Isham
Studio: Warner Bros.

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Reviews for Spartan

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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The main problem is that the narrative is evasive...; we can't trust Mamet as a storyteller!

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
07/08/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Famed for his way with words, it's as if Mamet has tried to outdo himself here, but without the trademark humour that might've lifted this otherwise constipated Tom Clancy knock-off.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
07/20/04
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Though the plot may be more or less generic, this is different from the average Hollywood thriller, thanks to a combination of Mamet’s script and direction and Kilmer’s confident performance.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
08/07/04
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
08/06/04
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
09/07/04
Sight and Sound
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Kilmer is back in a taut thriller and Mamet uses him to full advantage.

Full Review Source: FilmsInReview.com | comment Comment
03/08/04
Victoria Alexander
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com

Mamet's most solid and exciting original work since perhaps Homicide.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
03/12/04
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

By despairing of the military or intelligence communities rather than heroizing them, Mamet is quietly bucking the system.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
03/09/04
Michael Atkinson
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice

... the mechanics are contrived (but Mamet's) crisp dialogue, and Kilmer's underplayed intensity, gives the film an engaging gravitas.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
03/11/04
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The odd thing is that Spartan, despite its lofty goals, is no more convincing than a Schwarzenegger or Stallone action flick.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
03/12/04
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

A political thriller with topical currency, Spartan delivers the goods.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
03/16/04
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

An entertainingly over-the-top tale of good, evil, sex, and betrayal.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
03/12/04
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

Spartan is Tom Clancy without the pop-literature pretense. It's 24 for those who like more of a cerebral challenge.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
03/10/04
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

As a thriller, Spartan will hold your attention, but unfortunately writer/director's David Mamet's style doesn't fit well in this milieu.

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
03/19/04
Kit Bowen
Kit Bowen
Hollywood.com

The ending is somewhat soggy, but until that point, Spartan is a graceful exercise in fear and loathing.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
03/12/04
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

A tight and engrossing mystery thriller.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
10/11/06
Russ Breimeier
Russ Breimeier
Christianity Today

It's commercial, intense, violent and energetic. All you need to do is stand up to Mamet's verbal bullets.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
03/10/04
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals

Spartan is a cautionary tale that will appeal to those who have had enough of the unreality concocted by Washington handlers and political power players.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/11/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

...in this case the pulp has been so hard-boiled, winnowed down and leather-treated, there's nothing left on-screen but muscle.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Weekly | comment Comment
03/10/04
Sean Burns
Sean Burns
Philadelphia Weekly
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Spartan

October 26, 2006: Critical Consensus: "Fire" Blazes; "Scissors" Isn't Sharp Enough; "Saw III" Not Screened: Guess The Tomatometer!
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June 06, 2005: Milian and Bell Feel the "Pulse"
Variety reports that pop star Christina Milian ("Be Cool") and actress Kristen Bell ("Spartan") have signed on to appear in the Weinstein Company horror... More...

March 30, 2005: Weinsteins to Restart Dimension with an All-New "Pulse"
The Hollywood Reporter reminds us that there's always another Japanese horror flick worth remaking. Dimension Pictures has just signed Kristen Bell ("Spartan," TV's... More...

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