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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:160

Fresh:76

Rotten:84

Average Rating:5.4/10

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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41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

A sleek but vacant exercise in cop movie clichés.

Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
08/19/03
Adam Nayman
Adam Nayman
eye WEEKLY

A macho, melodramatic misfire.

Full Review Source: www.susangranger.com | comment Comment
08/18/03
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com

...entertaining enough to overlook small flaws...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/17/03
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

As written, this film feels like nothing more than two guys interested in grabbing a paycheck and getting out. Overall, S.W.A.T. is more of a S.P.L.A.T.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
08/15/03
Susan Michals
Susan Michals
FilmStew.com

There's no there there.

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
08/15/03
Timothy Knight
Timothy Knight
Reel.com

Considering that S.W.A.T. is about a highly trained, strategic police force, it's disappointing how quickly the movie dissolves into a formulaic cop movie.

Full Review Source: Mark Reviews Movies | comment Comment
08/14/03
Mark Dujsik
Mark Dujsik
Mark Reviews Movies

The so-so summer movie syndrome continues with this poorly written but finely cast action-thriller based on yet another long-buried television series.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
08/14/03
Tyler Hanley
Tyler Hanley
Palo Alto Weekly

The movie is an admiring salute to the men and women who protect and serve.

Full Review Source: Aisle Seat | comment Comment
08/14/03
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

A rigmarole of stranded clichés and thrill-free action-movie legerdemain.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
08/13/03
Michael Atkinson
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice

Played out like a cop show that should have been cancelled seasons ago, S.W.A.T. is nothing if not boring.

Full Review Source: Pulse Weekly | comment Comment
08/13/03
Rachel Deahl
Rachel Deahl
Pulse Weekly

... Dumb, lazy, predictable and usually preposterous. Occasionally it’s fun, but that’s no excuse.

Full Review Source: Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) | comment Comment
08/12/03
Jonathan R. Perry
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

While S.W.A.T. hits on practically every cop movie cliche, it just seems to work.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
08/12/03
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr
Film Threat

I think J Lo said it best only last week -- 'It's turkey time.'

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
08/11/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

...The film succeeds in developing its story, characters and action even though every step of the way is a formula-ridden minefield.

Full Review Source: Talking Pictures (U.S.) | comment Comment
08/11/03
Tony Toscano
Tony Toscano
Talking Pictures (U.S.)

Irony is not dead: 'S.W.A.T,' we are informed during the opening credits, is an 'Original Film.' That's the name of one of the production companies responsible for this regurgitation of the ABC series...

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
08/11/03
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

The ludicrousness reaches often dizzying proportions, yes, but -- the crucial, mitigating measuring stick for any action movie -- its excitement does not flag.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Today | comment Comment
08/11/03
Brent Simon
Brent Simon
Entertainment Today

There could be more, but in a summer full of less, S.W.A.T.'s an OK bargain so far. I give it Matinee for execution, veracity, and surprises.

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
08/10/03
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

Severely Washed-up Asinine Tossaway.

Full Review Source: Peterborough This Week | comment Comment
08/10/03
Mike Sage
Mike Sage
Peterborough This Week

Surely something more original than this could have been mined from the history of North America's largest and most professional police force.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
08/10/03
Marc Savlov
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle

The plot is an overstuffed and undercooked collection of cop conventions all wrapped around a frankly boring tale of one sneering and villainous Frenchman.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
08/09/03
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
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