How many bad spy flicks have we has to endure. It seems there's not an action movie or thriller being made these days that doesn't manage to mention or involve the CIA, espionage, or covert action of some type.

And most of them suck.

Not the best critical term, but its an adequate description. Spy films are muddied these days by forced action or an unrealistic injection of explosions and testosterone. Even Tom Clancy, maybe the best espionage writer around, has his intelligence and non-action ending to "Patriot Games" turned into a boat chase in the movie version. Simply put, spy films these days can't seem to avoid either a few big gun fights or some really big shouting and dramatic overacting.

Give Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, and Tony Scott credit for sticking to their guns regarding "Spy Game". "Spy "Game is like a "Goodfellas" for the espionage genre. It is not an action movie. The script gives you only hints of action, and leaves it to your imagination. The action is in the chase, the preparation, the details if you will. Just like the real CIA.

"Spy Game" tells the story of Tom Bishop (Pitt), a gifted CIA agent who goes rogue for a mission and ends up in a Chinese prison camp. Not wanting to rock the boat and cause problems, the CIA brass is looking for a way to justfy forgetting that he's there and letting the execution take place. For character background, they call in his former boss Nathan Muir (Redford) who details their long career together in flashbacks from Vietnam to Berlin to Beirut. Seeing the writing on the wall, Muir then begins to work against his bosses to help Bishop.

But not in the way most films would have it. One of things this film wisely avoids is the inevitable shouting confrontation between good and evil. Think Harrison Ford's pointing finger in "Clear and Present Danger" or Denzel Washington's noble speeches in "The Siege" and about everything else. Muir never comes out and rails about what the right thing is, everything is done respectfully and in a casual fashion.

The other triumph is the very gray area in which the film operates. Most spy films, or military films period, take the very narrow-minded approach to anything and everything military. The CIA is always a bad corrupt organization that kills innocent people and tricks the American people. Maybe that's just liberal Hollywood, but "Spy Game" neither unfairly praises nor unfairly criticizes the CIA. They are a gray organization. Nathan is many times unlikable, and you'll be shocked at some of his callous decisions. But in the middle of the film there is maybe the best conversation about the CIA and their activities that has maybe been put on film, and in our current state in this country, it bears being seen.

Robert Redford is always good. He's just that kind of actor. The role is good as is, but he truly elevates it. He has the charisma, and also the harsh dark side that really makes it interesting. Brad Pitt has been on a role for quite some time now, and as the more idealistic and novice agent he really shines. It's a really great pairing.

Tony Scott, bless his heart, has finally made a good movie. He's usually style over substance, but not here. Yeah he uses different film stocks a la "Traffic" and a techno soundtrack, but they work! And they never get in the way of the script. He gets genuine and polished performances from the entire cast, and manages to keep everything is perspective even amidst a lot of twisty espionage intrigue. He did over-the-top jingoism with "Top Gun" and evil government agencies in "Enemy of the State". Here he hit the right middle ground.

"Spy Game" is a very solid espionage film. Definitely one of the best I've seen. It's smart, engrossing, and affecting, more than we can normally expect these days out of big budget Hollywood thrillers. And in this time in our country, it is all the more admirable.

Recommended:
Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older