The Sentinel

Overall, The Sentinel was a good film, and despite the poor press slating the film I personally thought that the storyline of somebody inside the secret service being framed in a way to assassinate the President was brilliant, and Kieffer Sutherland acting just like Jack Bauer in 24 also pleased me.

Overall, it is a good film. Not as good as first thought though.

Having seen all the trailers I was really looking forward to seeing The Sentinel, then having read all the negative press I was somewhat worried about what I was letting myself in for. I frequently disagree with a lot of the critics and thankfully this film was no exception. While the film has been pilloried by many of the movie press I think the cinema-going public will enjoy it for what it is - an excellent thriller, well acted and a good Friday night movie.

The film is based around the security team of the President of the United States as evidence comes to light that their is a traitor working on the inside with the mission of assasinating The Pres. Michael Douglas plays Pete Garrison who is a top bodyguard who took a bullet for JFK 25 years previously and is the man who comes under intense scrutiny following a series of revelations. Kiefer Sutherland's character is the man responsible for apprehending the mole and he has past history with Garrison - they were former best friends until a major falling out. Sutherland is aided and abbeted by Eva Longoria who is a rookie sent into work under his tutelage - Longoria doesn't really enhance the plot, she is there to add some eye candy to this mainly testorone filled flick.

The film is really well put together and as well as being a serious movie also has the odd laugh too. The acting is excellent, even if Douglas does frequently go to excessive lenghts to pose in his Ray Bans (nice bit of product placement). Sutherland is great as the kick-derriere investigator and while not as extreme as his Jack Bauer alter ego he does put in a strong performance. These two have a strong chemistry and work well together as the focal point of the movie. Acting wise the only complaint could be a couple of comedy villains - one looked like a typical IRA thug who was good at gurning, while the villain in chief had an uncanny resemblance to David Baddiel which I couldn't get past.

Other than that though it's darn good fun and a movie I think most people, bar the jumped up critics, would certainly enjoy.