Reel Critics

Larry Nolte

In “Behind Enemy Lines” Owen Wilson plays Lt. Chris Burnett who at the

beginning of the film is only interested in leaving the Navy and becoming

the personal pilot of a rock star. Gene Hackman playing Admiral Reigart

sits him down and tries to get him to reevaluate his career. Do you think

by the end of the movie he’s going to want to stay in the Navy? The

suspense is already setting in.

During a routine mission his plane is shot down while photographing

Serbian atrocities in Bosnia. He is now forced to survive in an unknown

land. The Navy, while trying to rescue him, is also caught up in the

political consequences of his mission.

Wilson brings nothing to the role of Burnett. I never once felt the

kind of horror one would feel if they were alone behind enemy lines.

Hackman, of course, is the only bright spot in this film. He brings his

usual credible style to a role that is always suited to him.

First time director John Moore seems to feel that every time he has a

group of people talking, he needs to have the camera circling the group

as if to show he is bringing some new style to the cinema. He isn’t. The

staccato style of editing brings nothing to the film.

This mess finally ends in a shameful rip off of the ending of “Top

Gun.” While I have no problem with flag waving in a film, particularly

during these times, I do have a problem with filmmakers who don’t respect

their audience and expect them to ignore obvious cliches of feeling good

about ourselves. Why would anyone settle for a film like this when you

can go out and rent “Saving Private Ryan” and really feel good about this

country.* LARRY NOLTE, 59, is a retired United Airlines employee.