The Sentinel - Movie Review

It is the story of Pete Garrison, a kind of seasoned Secret Service agent, saved President Ronald Reagans life. Garrison is placed under suspicion in a conspiracy to assassinate the current president after when a fellow agent comes to him with sensitive information, and is subsequently murdered. As mounting evidence against Garrison and his association with the First Lady continue to pile up, Livingston is on the run, trying to clear his name, find the real mole and save himself the invasion of a looming assassination attempt all while being pursued by his former colleague, David Breckinridge.|The film deals with themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities in political institutions. Its tone feels tense and uneaseful, interlaced with a thread of paranoia and urgency, which keep the viewer glued to his seat till the end. Action and thriller elements are seamlessly meshed, as the environment are both compelling and stirring; Michael Douglas also gives a knock out performance as Pete Garrison, giving an ounce of depth and gravity to the man who is caught up in a deadly web of lies. Kiefer Sutherland steps in as David Breckinridge, former protégé of Garrison, whose highly dedicated pursuit of the mentor he was left with causes friction in its pursuit. Whether as a female or male, Eva Longoria is a fresh dynamic that works to balance a relatively male driven narrative. Which also, under Clark Johnsons smooth touch, is a considerate movie, by and large, in the weaving of the storys multifaceted characters. Johnson cements a seamless blend of action sets along with the quieter character based ones. Christophe Becks score adds a very nuanced use of orchestral and electronic elements to underscore the films suspense. His control over pacing also keeps the film moving at a good pace without sacrificing character development or narrative clarity. The music serves as a vital aspect in the increasing of a tension, and bringing the emotional experience of audience up to the level of the film itself, as fits with the film’s game.|Gabriel Beristain, of the cinematographer of the film, filled up the meaning of the film, thrilling narrative, using a combination of close up close and bigger open wide shots to boost the implication of a hurry, hurry tension. The shadows and dynamic angles provide a visually engaging aesthetic that perfectly fits the movie’s themes.

The production design properly sets the world of high stakes security, political intrigue. All settings of the film are richly detailed and appropriately portray the dichotomy of power and vulnerability in the narrative---from the turbulence of the streets to the opulence of the Oval Office---the film employs special effects with a sparing but effective technique to further its action sequences without undermining it. Editing by Cindy Mollo deserves praise for keeping the film fast enough and cutting between plot threads without noticeable hitch or abruptness.

The effects only enhance the gunfights and chase scenes, without becoming excessive or tacky, and complete with the visceral effect of the film. It all hangs together too, the careful splicing maintaining narrative coherence without messing up the careful flow of the film in order to build suspense (without disrupting the flow of the action, either).

The Sentinel skimps some on the exposition that would have made its unfolding a bit more difficult to assemble, but once the action gets up and going, the pieces fall into place very quickly while leaning heavily on the tension (and audience sympathies) that drive the suspense. The Sentinels rhythm keeps the audience involved and calm moments allow characters and story to blossom in a natural, rather than rushed, fashion.

The Sentinel has sharp dialog that nails the films complicated story and tensions between characters. The Sentinel finds a great balance between exposition and character-driven exchanges, and the plot is both accessible and compelling.

Although The Sentinel delivers an entertaining story and strong performances, at times the plot relies on predictable thriller tropes that will go down easy for more seasoned viewers. To surprise, some plot twists can be telegraphed. In addition, there are some character arcs or character journeys that could be expanded upon to add more of an emotional weight behind the experience at hand.

However, The Sentinel provides a great experience to enjoy overall, having powerful performances and a consistent story. Or couldnt reinvent the genre but has done a good job in delivering the classic thriller elements, which is a good watch for fans of political intrigue and action. Led by Michael Douglas giving one of his greatest performances, the emotional stakes are high, and staying with this is a tale of loyalty and redemption in the face of chaos.