So, we really like going to the movies.
On a whim, Jessi and I decided to go see Sahara last night. I've never read any of Clive Cussler's books, but I've always heard that they were exciting, if not terribly complex, adventure romps. The movie succeeded resoundingly at the task of delivering just such a romp.
Matthew McConaughey plays Dirk Pitt, the hero of many of Cussler's adventure novels. I'm not familiar with the character, but he played the stereotypical adventure-seeking treasure hunter very well - cavalier, dashing, brave, clever, funny, etc. Also impressive was Steve Zahn's role as Al Giordino, Dirk's best friend and partner in crime. I've always found Zahn amusing, but I was pleased to see that they managed to cast him as both the comedic relief and a tough guy in his own right (he cracks his one liners while, among other things, laying down supressing fire and bashing people with the stock of his assault rifle).
Penelope Cruz was...well, Penelope Cruz. She plays Dr. Eva Rojas, an aid worker with the World Health Organization. I normally find Cruz irritating and awkward (who said she was pretty?), but she was minimal enough in this movie that it didn't bother me. Still, she was unremarkable and could have easily been played by almost anyone else. More impressive than her performance, however, was the way they wrote the character. Ninety percent of the time, the female lead in an adventure film is either a helpless damsel in distress or a Lara Croft clone. Rojas is neither. She's an international aid worker who's used to roughing it, so she's no sissy. Still, she's not military trained so she's not exactly a warrior either. Nice bit a writing there.
William H. Macy did a terrific job as Admiral James Sandecker. Although I would have loved to see more of his character (indeed, most of the auxilliary characters), something tells me that future Cussler novels feature Pitt and crew will hit the big screen in the future and we may indeed see more of the understated but intimidating Admiral Sandecker.
The cast is rounded out by Rainn Wilson (you know, that creepy guy from the U.S. production of "The Office"), Delroy Lindo and Lambert Wilson (aka The Merovingian). Great performances all around.
The plot is simple and direct, the special effects are spectacular and the jokes are funny. What more can you ask of an adventure flick? It reminded me very much of the Indiana Jones and Mummy flicks (minus the supernatural, of course), all films that I consider to be solid adventure films.
I was in the mood for a clever but not over-thought popcorn flick last night, and Sahara fit the bill precisely. If you're craving a similar bit of escapism, I can heartily recommend this movie. Here's one film that I'm actually looking forward to having a sequel.
-Sam
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