The International - DVD Review

For a man who seemed disinterested in playing the suave spy James Bond, Clive Owen has seemingly decided to fill his CV with knock-off government agents ever since.

Which brings us to The International, a film that manages to pit Owen against a group of evil bankers (Watch out! They've got pens on chains!).

Owen plays hardened Interpol agent Louis Salinger, on the trail of a top bank with Naomi Watts‘ Assistant DA. both uncovering their dodgy dealings which are funding global terrorism. The film's timing is somewhat unfortunate given the current climate (might as well kick the banks while they're down) but fails to get its nails dirty anyway.

While splendid architecture and a more than suitable group of actors do their best to spice up this thriller, it plods along at such a slow pace that it fails to get any adrenaline pumping whatsoever. Owen is a one-note lead while Watts flutters in and out reflecting the dry, routine performance of Owen making a truly stale situation.

The film is so sluggish that when the action does kick in (in the form of a shoot-out in the Guggenheim Museum) that it feels out of place with the rest of the proceedings - not to mention quite implausible. When a gang of thugs run in with Uzi's tearing up the place, the film takes an all of a sudden turn to the peculiar.

The International has a string of good ideas - it's an intelligent thriller in fantastic locations mixed with a decent cast. Unfortunately it seems to get sucked into a black hole along with any pace, wit or excitement. It tries to create a web of intrigue but becomes a meandering mess, which means that anything interesting that does happen gets bogged down with the rest of the bland proceedings.

It'll come as a disappointment to anyone who's been clambering for an intelligent thriller given the wave of brain-free blockbusters this year has already thrown up. The International packs neither the intellect nor the brawn. Owen and Watts can do better and the only real positives one can say of The International is that it's slightly more enjoyable than an evening spent filling out your tax returns.

Extras:

A scene-specific commentary and a host of features on architecture give some fascinating insight into the motivation behind the film, but won't have you clambering to revisit the movie. Also included is an extended scene with Owen and Watts further displaying their lacklustre chemistry.

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