Watchably silly at best, it's the political thriller as an unintentional comedy of errors - 24 meets Noises Off.
Vantage Point (2008)
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Reviews Counted:151
Fresh:53
Rotten:98
Average Rating:5/10
Consensus: Vantage Point has an interesting premise that is completely undermined by fractured storytelling and wooden performances.
Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for sequences of intense violence and action, some disturbing images and brief strong language.
Runtime: 90 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:07-03-2008
Synopsis: A presidential assassination attempt is told from multiple points of view in Pete Travis's directorial debut, VANTAGE POINT. U.S. president Ashton (William Hurt) is in Salamanca, Spain (though much... A presidential assassination attempt is told from multiple points of view in Pete Travis's directorial debut, VANTAGE POINT. U.S. president Ashton (William Hurt) is in Salamanca, Spain (though much of the film was actually shot in Mexico), to announce plans for a major global summit on terrorism. But as he stands behind the podium in front of an adoring crowd (with protesters blocked off from the stage), he is shot twice, followed shortly by a small explosion and then a massive blast. Secret Service Agents Barnes (Dennis Quaid), Taylor (Matthew Fox), and Holden (Richard T. Jones) immediately jump into action, trying to find the terrorists responsible amid all the chaos. The thriller first shows the events through the eyes of television news producer Rex Brooks (Sigourney Weaver), and then the film rewinds, replaying the action from a different point of view. Each perspective reveals a few more clues, then rewinds again, taking the audience through the assassination attempt and its aftermath again. VANTAGE POINT has the feel of the 1950 Akira Kurosawa classic RASHOMON, told with the speed of the television show 24. The all-star cast also includes Forest Whitaker, who gives another fine performance, playing an American tourist recording everything on his video camera. The rewind device--reminiscent of the Bill Murray comedy GROUNDHOG DAY--could have been gimmicky, but instead Travis and first-time screenwriter Barry L. Levy make it work, as more details are revealed with each flashback, leading to a pulse-pounding chase and surprising finale. [More]
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, Zoe Saldana
Director: Pete Travis
Director: Pete Travis
Screenwriter: Barry L. Levy
Producer: Neal H. Moritz
Composer: Atli Orvarsson
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Reviews for Vantage Point
Vantage Point might sound intriguing on paper but it's all gimmick and not a lot of substance.
As much as we'd like to see an American president made accountable, we don't have to see it over and over and over again.
The stories are cleverly interwoven, with a couple of unexpected twists, and the patient viewer is rewarded with a doozy of a car chase in the last reel.
Although mounted with no little efficiency by director Pete Travis (who previously made the TV drama-doc ‘Omagh’), the narrative enterprise actually hides a one-dimensional world view, with civilian casualties mere background set dressing.
It charms - despite hitting the odd seam of schmaltz - and teenagers will find much to tempt them away from their X-Boxes and PSPs.
As daft as it all becomes, Vantage Point is never dull. Approach it like a double-bill of 24 and there’s enough excitement to overcome the clichés, particularly during the climactic car chase.
Some okay thrills with good performances and some smarts. But the last reel plunge spoils things.
There's an interesting idea here, showing a major political event from various perspectives until we finally get to the real story. The problem is that the real story is rather contrived.
Vantage Point is a patented representative of this year's early mediocrity. Vantage Point is trailer trash.
If you are looking for mindless action, it's not bad. But since this is trying to be something more than that, I can't quite recommend it.
The whodunit-with-terrorist-undertones doesn't test, shock or surprise the audience in any unique way.
Asks us to believe the terrorists would, after slaughtering countless people, risk their entire plan--and their very lives--on...well, I won't say. But from my vantage point, it was ridiculous.
[Vantage Point is] a puzzle cut by a drunken, three-fingered jigsaw operator who lost a few pieces and chewed on a few others.
To fall for Vantage Point you have to throw away any connection to reality.
This is satisfying Friday night popcorn fare - slick and noisy and utterly disposable.
If you thought 24's perspective on terrorism was, well, limited, get ready to groan. The meat and potatoes of Vantage Point -- the suicide bomb explosions, the bloody fisticuffs and blaring car chases -- are indeed awesome, and that's what truly matters f
Those inclined to scrutinize the logic of Barry Levy's screenplay are likely to come away as baffled by its farfetched twists as amused by its bombastic excesses.
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