Today’s quick review: Swordfish. When Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman), a retired hacker, is offered $10 million to perform one last crime, he risks going back to jail for the money he needs to win custody of his daughter. His boss is the enigmatic Gabriel (John Travolta), a flashy, unpredictable man with a scheme worth billions. At Gabriel’s right hand is the lovely Ginger (Halle Berry), an intelligent woman who recruits Stanley. Stanley must put his prowess to the test and finish the job before he gets dragged in any deeper, all while staying a step ahead of the FBI agent who caught him in the first place (Don Cheadle).
Swordfish is a heist movie with a fair amount of action and a digital bent. Despite a noteworthy cast and a strong opening, Swordfish does not live up to its potential. Swordfish relies on a suspension of disbelief it never earns. The flashy criminal world it portrays is patently thin, while unrealistic elements, such as exploding cars or fictionalized hacking, that would be fine in an action movie with better execution simply draw attention to the Hollywood nature of the film. The lack of credibility damages what would otherwise be a nice little plot.
The acting has its ups and downs. Hugh Jackman has a good dynamic with most of the other actors, especially the actress who plays his daughter and Don Cheadle, the FBI agent on his trail. Halle Berry performs well as the good cop to John Travolta’s bad, a reasonably trustworthy face in a den of criminals. John Travolta, however, disappoints. His affable, dangerous style is as interesting as ever, but his character simply cannot live up to the reputation he has within the film. The lack of credibility comes back to bite Swordfish again, as what should have been a grandiose, unpredictable mastermind instead collapses into merely something of an oddball.
Watch Swordfish if you’re looking for a half-decent heist, fake hacking, and a couple of explosions. The film is noteworthy for its liberal treatment of encryption, a reasonably competent plot, and an excuse to show off the bodies of Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman. All in all, Swordfish makes for an okay popcorn flick and little more. Skip it if you’re looking for something actively good, but give it a watch if you are looking for a bit of action and do not care about quality.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for modest enjoyability.