Today’s quick review: The Saint. After Arnold Valecross (James Remar), a banker for a powerful criminal, tries to turn $2.5 billion in stolen relief funds over to the FBI, hish boss (Ian Ogilvy) retaliates by kidnapping his daughter. Arnold’s only hope is to enlist the help of Simon Templar (Adam Rayner), an international thief with a charitable streak, and his associate Patricia Holm (Eliza Dukshu).
The Saint is a budget action movie based on the classic TV series. The Saint aims for a light tone, with a crafty hero, an adventurous story, and a smattering of action. However, thin characters, a generic plot, and budgetary constraints undermine what appeal it has. The result is a dull watch with only a few glimmers of potential to show for its efforts.
The Saint’s flaws are varied. The cast is young and lacks dramatic impact. Simon’s reputation as a master thief, much like his banter with Patricia, is forced and not nearly as slick as it is meant to be. The movie suffers from a surfeit of supporting characters, with several roles that could have been merged or dropped with no loss. The Saint’s emotional payoff is limp, and the plot thread about Simon’s past is unnecessary and handled poorly.
Most viewers would be better off skipping The Saint. Its plot, action, and characters are outclassed by the typical action movie, while its flaws are not crippling enough to make it comical. Halfway decent action and a few quips are all it really offers. For a better take on the premise, check out the Val Kilmer version of The Saint, which has better characters, a decent plot, and a credible romance that gives the film some identity.
4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a passable action, a light tone, and poor execution.