Behind Enemy Lines

Review by Clint Morris

Under Seige was Die Hard on a boat, Speed was Die Hard on a bus and now we have Die Hard in the Snowy Alps.

From first time director John Moore, Behind Enemy Lines is a popcorn action thriller which could do for Owen Wilson's career what Die Hard did for Bruce Willis, both being from comedy backgrounds and all. It's quite a stretch for Wilson slipping on the shoes of an action hero, coming off undemanding parts in comedy clunkers like Meet the Parents and Zoolander. Having said that though, all reservations about Wilson's ability to pull off the part should be left at the theatre door - he pulls it off with shining colours.

Navy Lieutenant Chris Brown (Wilson) hasn't seen an ounce of action since he joined. He's frustrated and plans to resign. "We're watching, not fighting" he tells Admiral Reigart (Gene Hackman), who is convinced the cocky young pilot hasn't a clue what it takes to be a soldier.

During a routine reconnaissance mission, Burnett and his co-pilot photographs something his Country wasn't supposed to see, and is shot down. After witnessing the execution of his injured comrade, Brown is now trapped in enemy territory and must rely on his survival and mental skills to endure against the countless ground troops on his tail. Predictably putting humanity before protocol, Reigart decides to risk his career and rescue Brown.

Behind Enemy Lines is a fun movie. From it's early moments - aerial stunts combined with a rock and roll soundtrack - it's obvious that this isn't going to be a movie that'll test your intelligence. Director John Moore - well known for commercial work - has obviously intended it this way, evidenced through his MTV style camera work, sequential slow-mo and rapidly quick cuts.

Some of the film's moments, dialogues and even central characters leave a lot to be desired, but it's their skittish definition that makes the film a hoot. The acting is rudimentary, though the script requires no more. Hackman's performance, for one, could have been phoned in from home. Wilson has little to do but run, jump and dodge bullets - but it's refreshing to see him in something different. In a few earlier scenes, he brings some real wit to Brown.

The real star of Behind Enemy Lines is the landscape. Designer Nathan Crawley and cinematographer Brendan Galvin combine a perfect blend of chilling grey tones. If director Moore had laid off some of the more risqué camera movements, maybe the audience might have been as smitten with the story as they were with the backdrop. Still if you're prepared to sit through one of the more pleasurable pieces of fluff of late, you won't feel too cheated.

3.5 out of 5

Behind Enemy Lines
Australian release: Commences January 31st across Australia
Cast: Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman, Joaquim De Almedia, David Keith, Olek Krupa.
Director: John Moore.
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