bnorthup
12-04-2001, 12:13 AM
Behind Enemy Lines (PG-13)
At the Circus
Dad: 2 stars
Daughter: 2 stars
Headline: Mission improbable
By Brent & Katherine Northup
The timing is perfectly green for a war film to hit the theaters and attract patriotic audiences. While “Behind Enemy Lines” has a few redeeming moments, it’s basically a reworking of “The Fugitive” with one soldier running all over the countryside to elude capture by a few hundred inept bad guys. In the end, he decides to “re-up,” extending his tour of duty because now he understands the importance of serving his country.
Let’s start by mentioning the two things I did like about this film. First, there were brief moments when the cinematography and music were splendid – such as the haunting opening few minutes which combines dark choral music with shots of a war crime. Second, the script portrays a commander as violating orders in full knowledge he will lose his command – and ends with him accepting the demotion, knowing he followed his conscience. That portrayal of duty and sacrifice was reassuring – Hollywood usually sidesteps sacrifice, preferring the happy ending where no price is paid.
Having praised where I could, I’m afraid the rest of the borders on silly for me. The whole premise is amusing: a pilot is on foot in Bosnia, within eyesight of dozens of armed tanks and soldiers – and escapes. Countless times dozens of guns have open shots at him and he wins his war-ground game of Dodge Bullets. Meanwhile, back on the aircraft carrier a bad NATO commander is preventing the American admiral from rescuing our hero. So the chase goes on.
More interesting than the film, was waiting to hear Katherine’s reaction to one of her first war movies.
“I’ve always heard about movies where there’s one soldier in enemy territory and he has to get out, but I never had seen one,” she said. “Even though it was a routine movie, I have to say, I liked all the action.”
Katherine enjoyed the rescue mission, and the optimistic spirit of the story.
“I also liked how the military in the movie tried to keep up hope even though things were getting complicated. I’m not sure how that is in real life, but it was touching nevertheless.”
While I was simply sinking in my seat waiting for the next preposterous plot twist, Katherine was pondering the more elevated point that Hollywood films always seem to be shot from an American point of view.
“Just for once, I would like to see a movie from the opposing side’s opinion,” she said. “I mean, the majority of movies only show Americans as the heroes. That just shows all the ethnocentrism we’ve got running around our country. A lot of us seem to think we’re better than other people. That makes me terribly sad.”
She’s right, of course. But when you’re selling tickets to Americans during a time when our soldiers are in harm’s way, it would be box office suicide to offer such balance. But her point’s well taken.
END
At the Circus
Dad: 2 stars
Daughter: 2 stars
Headline: Mission improbable
By Brent & Katherine Northup
The timing is perfectly green for a war film to hit the theaters and attract patriotic audiences. While “Behind Enemy Lines” has a few redeeming moments, it’s basically a reworking of “The Fugitive” with one soldier running all over the countryside to elude capture by a few hundred inept bad guys. In the end, he decides to “re-up,” extending his tour of duty because now he understands the importance of serving his country.
Let’s start by mentioning the two things I did like about this film. First, there were brief moments when the cinematography and music were splendid – such as the haunting opening few minutes which combines dark choral music with shots of a war crime. Second, the script portrays a commander as violating orders in full knowledge he will lose his command – and ends with him accepting the demotion, knowing he followed his conscience. That portrayal of duty and sacrifice was reassuring – Hollywood usually sidesteps sacrifice, preferring the happy ending where no price is paid.
Having praised where I could, I’m afraid the rest of the borders on silly for me. The whole premise is amusing: a pilot is on foot in Bosnia, within eyesight of dozens of armed tanks and soldiers – and escapes. Countless times dozens of guns have open shots at him and he wins his war-ground game of Dodge Bullets. Meanwhile, back on the aircraft carrier a bad NATO commander is preventing the American admiral from rescuing our hero. So the chase goes on.
More interesting than the film, was waiting to hear Katherine’s reaction to one of her first war movies.
“I’ve always heard about movies where there’s one soldier in enemy territory and he has to get out, but I never had seen one,” she said. “Even though it was a routine movie, I have to say, I liked all the action.”
Katherine enjoyed the rescue mission, and the optimistic spirit of the story.
“I also liked how the military in the movie tried to keep up hope even though things were getting complicated. I’m not sure how that is in real life, but it was touching nevertheless.”
While I was simply sinking in my seat waiting for the next preposterous plot twist, Katherine was pondering the more elevated point that Hollywood films always seem to be shot from an American point of view.
“Just for once, I would like to see a movie from the opposing side’s opinion,” she said. “I mean, the majority of movies only show Americans as the heroes. That just shows all the ethnocentrism we’ve got running around our country. A lot of us seem to think we’re better than other people. That makes me terribly sad.”
She’s right, of course. But when you’re selling tickets to Americans during a time when our soldiers are in harm’s way, it would be box office suicide to offer such balance. But her point’s well taken.
END