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There are a few things that drive us to go see a movie. I could
name about 3 for starters. One is the plot of the movie. It’s has
to be something that we could be interested in. Two, are the actors
in the films. There are actors who could do no wrong and have fans
willing to see any of their films. Finally, there’s the outcome
of the film. If you go by the commercials that convinces you to
see the film, then you'll have a pretty good idea as to how the film will
end if you are a regular filmgoer and have seen the same story done before.
It’s just a matter of how the plot is executed. Now, when a film
is not as predictable as you first thought and confuses the heck
out of your mind, then your opinion of the film may not be favorable
if you can’t explain it to anyone. Such is the case with “BASIC”,
John McTiernan’s latest film. Filled with twists and turns, I found
this film to be totally fun, and engaging.
One could call this film a combination of “The Usual Suspects” meets
any of David Mamet’s films and still find it senseless, but at least they
would have been entertained. Who wants to see a film where you can
guess the plot developments and the outcome? Certainly not I and
neither should you. “Basic” is a thrilling film that will have
you come back for repeat viewings.
Told in a “Rashomon” sort of way, the film starts with the introduction
of Sgt. West (Jackson) as he takes his Army troupe to a training
expedition in the muddy fields of Panama. Seventeen hours later
when Base commander Styles (Tim Daly) goes looking for his men,
he’s shock to see that they are shooting at each other with real
bullets. Brought in for questioning is Dunbar (Van Holt), one of
the men caught shooting. He was carrying Kendall (Ribisi) on his
back when caught. Wanting to speak to an Army ranger he doesn’t
know, Styles brings in his old buddy and a former student of Sgt.
West, Tom Hardy (Travoltra), currently a DEA agent and under suspicion
for bribery. Not happy about a civilian doing the questioning is
Lt. Julie Osborne (Nielsen), the base inquisitor. Seems that many
soldiers including Sgt. West were killed, but the reason for that
isn’t clearly established. Kendall, holed up in the hospital with
a bullet in his leg, is telling quite a different tale. With the
stories between Dunbar and Kendall shifting back and forth, Hardy
is at a loss for words for he can’t figure out who’s lying. Styles pressures
him to get to the heart of the truth before he loses command of
the situation and before authority figures over him come and
take the case.
BASIC will have you for a loss of words. That’s because you will
probably walk away without some clarification as to what’s going
on. It’s not easily predictable and the plot developments are totally
off the charts, but you will be entertained. Travoltra is just having
fun with his role. He’s at ease with the persona he’s created for
himself these days; someone who has a devilish attitude and some
wit. Jackson is just mean and tough as the Sgt. Although this is
the first film for Travoltra and Jackson since “Pulp Fiction”, they
are not paired together as their previous film. Van Holt is getting
good at playing roles of the military. He was recently in “Windtalkers”
and “Black Hawk Down”. The film has a good role for Taye Diggs,
who needed a break from taking the usual romantic roles he’s done
lately. Connie Nielson, who’s currently playing an authority figure
in “The Hunted”, is able to hold her own with Travoltra when he
tries to steal most of the spotlight. As mentioned earlier, if you’re
looking for a film that will keep you interested and guessing its
outcome, then “Basic” is the film to see. The dots may not connect,
but at least you will be amused. You make the call.
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