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Movies / On DVD / S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T.

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S.W.A.T. (2003)

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Reviews Counted:10

Fresh:4

Rotten:6

Average Rating:4.7/10

Consensus: A competent, but routine police thriller.

Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Synopsis: They’re the best of the best, the elite of law enforcement. And they’ve been recruited for their most dangerous mission ever. Inspired by the popular ‘70s television series, the... They’re the best of the best, the elite of law enforcement. And they’ve been recruited for their most dangerous mission ever. Inspired by the popular ‘70s television series, the explosive action-thriller S.W.A.T. stars Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell, is produced by Neal H. Moritz, directed by Clark Johnson and features an ensemble cast that includes Michelle Rodriguez, James Todd Smith (aka LL Cool J), Brian Van Holt, Jeremy Renner, Josh Charles and Olivier Martinez. Farrell portrays Jim Street, a former S.W.A.T. team member, who along with his partner Brian Gamble (Renner), is thrown off the team in the aftermath of a controversial decision they made during a robbery/hostage standoff. Gamble quits the force in disgust, but for Street, being a policeman is his life and he agrees to a demotion, hoping to someday have the chance to redeem himself and once again wear the privileged S.W.A.T. uniform. Street gets that chance when team commander Dan “Hondo” Harrelson (Jackson) is assigned to recruit and train five top-notch cops for a new Special Weapons and Tactics unit (S.W.A.T.). The other members of the new team Hondo recruits are Deacon “Deke” Kaye (James Todd Smith aka LL Cool J), Chris Sanchez (Michelle Rodriguez), Michael Boxer (Brian Van Holt) and T.J. McCabe (Josh Charles). After weeks of demanding physical training, the new S.W.A.T. team is quickly thrown into action when a notorious drug lord Alex Montel (Olivier Martinez), audaciously offers a $100 million bounty to anyone who can free him from police custody. As they escort the kingpin out of Los Angeles and into the hands of the Feds, they are pursued by a ruthless and well-armed band of mercenaries. Columbia Pictures Presents An Original Film/Camelot Pictures/Chris Lee Production S.W.A.T. starring Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, James Todd Smith (aka LL Cool J), Brian Van Holt, Josh Charles and Olivier Martinez. S.W.A.T. is directed by Clark Johnson. The screenplay is by David Ayer and David McKenna from a story by Ron Mita & Jim McClain. The producers are Neal H. Moritz, Dan Halsted and Chris Lee. Gabriel Beristain, ASC/BSC is the director of photography. The executive producer is Louis D’Esposito. The co-executive producer is Todd Black. The co-producers are George Huang and Amanda Cohen. The production is designed by Mayne Berke. The film is edited by Michael Tronick, A.C.E. The music is by Elliot Goldenthal. The music supervisor is Evyen Klean. Christopher Lawrence is the costume designer. [More]

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Olivier Martinez, Michelle Rodriguez

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Olivier Martinez, Michelle Rodriguez, Josh Charles, LL Cool J, Brian Van Holt, Ken Rudúlph, Jeremy Renner

Director: Clark Johnson

Director: Clark Johnson
Screenwriter: David Ayer, David McKenna, Ron Mita, Jim McClain
Story: Ron Mita, Jim McClain
Producer: Neal H. Moritz, Dan Halstead
Composer: Elliot Goldenthal
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Reviews for S.W.A.T.

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1 - 10 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Solidly entertaining without being spectacular.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
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he high definition SWAT training footage resembles a US Army recruitment ad, appropriate since TV journeyman Johnson imagines downtown LA as an unpatrolled Baghdad, swarming with guntotin' mercenaries pursuing their share of the bounty.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Jessica Winter
Jessica Winter
Time Out
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Reasonably entertaining for the first half-hour, after which your eyelids will be heavy.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
01/15/04
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
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It's just a shame there's not more substance to the style. Plenty of crash, bang. Not a lotta wallop.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
11/25/03
Nev Pierce
Nev Pierce
BBC
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Director Clark Johnson strives for realistic detail and action. Unfortunately, such adherence to technical purity proves to be a weakness for the movie.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
08/08/03
Robert Koehler
Robert Koehler
Variety
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A well-made police thriller.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
08/08/03
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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S.W.A.T. is mostly standard-issue muddle.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
08/07/03
Elvis Mitchell
Elvis Mitchell
New York Times
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Though the film's second half has some good action moments, it never fulfills the promise of its earliest scenes.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
08/07/03
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
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A noisy, standard-issue cop actioner.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
08/07/03
Kirk Honeycutt
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
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One long adrenaline shot that never takes itself seriously and never pauses long enough to worry about making much sense.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
08/07/03
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
CNN.com
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1 - 10 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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