Customer Reviews

The Recruit

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

the recruit is an OK movie,i guess.certainly nothing spectacular.there
are some suspenseful moments in the movie.however the plot was much too
complicated to the point of absurdity.this movie felt like it should
have been released directly to video.it was your run of the mill
action/suspense movie,(with some espionage)with nothing new or
original.the suspenseful moments had all been done before,as good or
better.the acting was OK,at best,given what the actors had to work
with.the dialogue would not win any awards,and the screenplay was
basically a knock off of many other,superior movies.truth be told,
there wasn't really any reason to make this movie and so i can't give
it a glowing recommendation. 2.5/5

I really liked this movie because it took a different approach to the genre. Rather than focusing a heist or some spy's mission, this movie is about the training CIA field agents go though. This includes all sorts of mock scenarios, mind games as well as the relationships between recruits. Both Colin Ferrel and Al Pacino play typical roles for their careers, which works surprisingly well for Ferrel...who I usually don't like.

There is a larger story at work throughout the film, with all kinds of plot twists and turncoats. You may see some of the twists comming, but I was entertained anyway. There's also some neat special features on actual CIA training.

This action-thriller is a great movie, in which "nothing is what is seems"; for the characters, as well as for the viewer. Al Pacino and Collin Farrell show us great acting, together with a great story it makes this to one of the best action-thrillers I've ever seen! Special note for the outcome of the movie, the outcome is something I find very important. Most of the time good movies get wasted by a horrible end. Not this movie, no patriotic, moralistic, "help I'm gonna throw up" end. It's something you won't see coming....

When you watch this movie you will remember two things. "Everything is a test", and Nothing is as it seems." You will find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen next. Is this a test, or is this the real thing you will ask yourself over and over again. James Clayton is still dealing with his Father's disappearance. James is recruited by Walter Burke to join the CIA, but James will find that nothing is at it seems, and he will realize he can't trust anyone but himself. The movie is intense, and a great thriller. I liked the peek into the CIA and the recruiting process. Al Pachino and Colin Farral were good together in this film.

NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS...that's true enough in the words of CIA instructor Al Pacino in Roger Donaldson's labyrinthine movie about a new CIA recruit, played with marvelous intensity by the gifted Colin Farrell. Pacino uses many of the elements of his previous roles, and why not--the man is a brilliant actor and sometimes you never know what to expect from him in spite of his familiarity. Bridget Moynihan (Sum of All Fears) co-stars as fellow recruit and would be lover for Farrell. (...) she possesses a strong sense of character in this multi-leveled role. Gabriel Macht in a smaller role as Zach is also very good, as Moynihan's other possible love interest. Even with the many clever twists and turns, the ending becomes predictable but not until the movie is almost over. Credit Donaldson for this succinct direction. The musical score is also brilliant; loved the use of usually boring synthesized music. It's effectively haunting in this movie.
Colin Farrell is destined for his Oscar; his intensity and his understanding of multi-levels of characterization will lead him to an even brighter future.

The theme of a grizzled mentor and a hyper-energetic but gullible new recruit is a somewhat dated one (in recent memory, Spy Game, Training Day etc) but I watched this movie with no expectations, and found that it does a fairly good job of being fastpaced and gripping.

What rides it above the predictability that could have drawn it down is its riveting pace. Glossy visuals are a plus too. The eminently watchable Pacino is no slouch in the charisma department as usual. Farrell merits a special mention, he maintains a credible dignity that lends a certain cachet to the movie, and his chemistry with Moynahan is searing.

Last but not the least, there are not-so-subtle references to recent CIA glitches, most likely 911 and Gulf War.

You'll probably not watch this flick more than once, but it's a decent rental for the first time. The extras on the DVD include some deleted scenes that reassured me that the movie is very well edited. Which helps.

Nothing is as it seems in this movie as Al Pacino plays a recruiter for the CIA who brings in Colin Farrell, playing a young computer programmer, to start a career as a new operative. The movie takes us through the training as well as other action as we see that recruits are tested as much mentally and emotionally, as they are tested physically.

As par for course, Pacino does a great job and has the audience believing his portrayal of the character. Just as the plot is multi-layered, Pacino's character, Burke, is just as multi-layered.

I would recommend seeing this movie. Although the gadgetry is not as you would see in a James Bond movie, it is fascinating seeing the training.

This is a throw-away movie that you can leave behind but while you watch it, you'll enjoy it.

If you like Colin and EVERYbody likes Pacino (don't they???), you'll enjoy the movie. You probably will realize who the good and bad guys really are fairly early, but even if you don't, it's fine when you find out. You won't be disappointed and you won't be totally shocked either.

This is a good, action/military kind of movie but it won't stay with you. That's fine, we need lots of movies like this one to fill us up while we wait for the next Big Fish or something memorable like that.

"The Recruit" is just a stepping stone for Colin Farrell. This fast paced action movie is a "C" at best. There is too many twists and turns for anyone to catch up with. James Clayton (Farrell) is a CIA in training where "nothing is what it seems." Clayton is recruited by Walter Burke (Pacino) and taken to "the farm" to learn all that is to know about the CIA. There Clayton finds out that everything is a test. Even his relationship with a fellow recruit. Pacino pulls off another tiring role. Farrell is getting better with each role he's in. (See Phone Booth) Overall, I thought that the story was new, but just because it was something new doesn't mean it was great.

"The Recruit" is a decent spy thriller about an up-and-coming CIA agent (Colin Farrell) being mentored by an old veteran (Al Pacino) in the ways of being a spy. This movie packs in the plot twists, deceptions and misinformation, often leaving the audience as much in the dark as the characters. At times it seems like it almost tries a little TOO hard to be edgy and warped, with more twists than really seem necessary. It's kind of like taking a good stew and throwing in more ingredients than you really need, deadening the taste.

Still, if you can put that past you, it's a pretty exciting movie, a decent action flick, and it really shows off the talents of Pacino and Farrel, who were both made to play the roles they've taken on. Definitely worth a rental, and even worth buying if you're really into spy movies that are a bit more realistic than James Bond.