JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Sneakers (1992) - Trailer Included
Redford the hack?
Writer/Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Starring: Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, River Phoenix, David Strathairn, Mary McDonnell, Dan Ackroyd, James Earl Jones, Ben Kingsley
“Pollution. Crime. Drugs, poverty, disease, hunger, despair - we throw GOBS of money at them and problems only get worse. Why is that? Because money's most powerful ability is to allow bad people to continue doing bad things at the expense of those who don't have it.” - Cosmo
Sneakers is a swift moving techno-thriller that balances popcorn adventure, laughs and smarts with shiny stars using colourful toys.
“O.K., boss, this LTX-27 concealable mike is part of the same system that NASA used when they faked the Apollo moon landings. Yeah, the astronauts broadcast around the world from a soundstage at Norton Airforce Base in San Bernadino, California. So it worked for them, shouldn't give us too many problems.” - Mother
Martin Bishop (Robert Redford) is an aging security whiz who diagnoses and infiltrates financial institutions to find weaknesses in their safety measures. Robbing corporations with the aide of his crack team, then getting paid for the results, soon the government wishes to enlist Marty’s unique services.
“It's fascinating what 50 bucks will get you at the county recorder's office. Playtronics Corporate Headquarters, the complete blueprints.” - Carl
What appears to be a simple case of nab the black box soon spirals out of control as Bishop’s past threatens the mission. Technical illusions and espionage conspire in a race for survival and a quest for data, information that could reveal secrets beyond comprehension.
“There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!” – Cosmo
John Doe says:
Sneakers is quality fun, intelligently written and unlike most films of its ilk remains plausibly entertaining courtesy of a cast that enjoy the social engineering inherit in their roles.
The screenplay deftly blends comedy and exposition, the conspiracy angles inject the necessary mystery to ensure that the plot engages the mind.
Shot with a careful eye the story is appropriately told predominantly through sound and vision. The audio design is pivotal to atmosphere and the glossy cinematography compliments the established mood. There are plenty of sly nods to previous audio spy films to keep cinephiles alert. (EG: One set is even designed to resemble Francis Ford Coppolla’s the Conversation. Redfords name, Martin Bishop is lifted from a print out in 3 Days of The Condor).
Robert Redford (Butch casidy and The Sundance Kid, the Candidate, the Sting) has made a career out of this type of lovable aging rogue and he effortlessly maintains the allusion of being a thinking man.
Sidney Poitier (The Defiant Ones, In The Heat of The Night) is at his stoic best as an ex C-I-Agency man, River Phoenix (My Own Private Idaho, Stand By Me) brings a quirky charm to the role of love lorn electronics nerd Carl. David Strathairn (Goodnight and Goodluck) as the genius with speakers and mics amuses and Dan Ackroyd (Ghostbusters) as a nutty theorist Mother rounds out the eccentric troupe of circuitry geniuses.
Ben Kingsley (Ghandi, Searching for Bobby Fischer) and James Earl Jones (Hunt For Red October, Star wars) play small but memorable parts that enhance their character traits.
A classic in this house, John Doe found Sneakers to be the perfect prescription when facing last weeks illness. It is well constructed with a greater point than just distraction, but it’s the distraction that I really appreciated at the time.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Trailer
Here is an enjoyable clip from the film that doesn't spoil the plot.
DVD Cover
Starring: Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, River Phoenix, David Strathairn, Mary McDonnell, Dan Ackroyd, James Earl Jones, Ben Kingsley
“Pollution. Crime. Drugs, poverty, disease, hunger, despair - we throw GOBS of money at them and problems only get worse. Why is that? Because money's most powerful ability is to allow bad people to continue doing bad things at the expense of those who don't have it.” - Cosmo
Sneakers is a swift moving techno-thriller that balances popcorn adventure, laughs and smarts with shiny stars using colourful toys.
“O.K., boss, this LTX-27 concealable mike is part of the same system that NASA used when they faked the Apollo moon landings. Yeah, the astronauts broadcast around the world from a soundstage at Norton Airforce Base in San Bernadino, California. So it worked for them, shouldn't give us too many problems.” - Mother
Martin Bishop (Robert Redford) is an aging security whiz who diagnoses and infiltrates financial institutions to find weaknesses in their safety measures. Robbing corporations with the aide of his crack team, then getting paid for the results, soon the government wishes to enlist Marty’s unique services.
“It's fascinating what 50 bucks will get you at the county recorder's office. Playtronics Corporate Headquarters, the complete blueprints.” - Carl
What appears to be a simple case of nab the black box soon spirals out of control as Bishop’s past threatens the mission. Technical illusions and espionage conspire in a race for survival and a quest for data, information that could reveal secrets beyond comprehension.
“There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!” – Cosmo
So this is more than just a porn detector, right?
John Doe says:
Sneakers is quality fun, intelligently written and unlike most films of its ilk remains plausibly entertaining courtesy of a cast that enjoy the social engineering inherit in their roles.
The screenplay deftly blends comedy and exposition, the conspiracy angles inject the necessary mystery to ensure that the plot engages the mind.
Shot with a careful eye the story is appropriately told predominantly through sound and vision. The audio design is pivotal to atmosphere and the glossy cinematography compliments the established mood. There are plenty of sly nods to previous audio spy films to keep cinephiles alert. (EG: One set is even designed to resemble Francis Ford Coppolla’s the Conversation. Redfords name, Martin Bishop is lifted from a print out in 3 Days of The Condor).
Robert Redford (Butch casidy and The Sundance Kid, the Candidate, the Sting) has made a career out of this type of lovable aging rogue and he effortlessly maintains the allusion of being a thinking man.
Sidney Poitier (The Defiant Ones, In The Heat of The Night) is at his stoic best as an ex C-I-Agency man, River Phoenix (My Own Private Idaho, Stand By Me) brings a quirky charm to the role of love lorn electronics nerd Carl. David Strathairn (Goodnight and Goodluck) as the genius with speakers and mics amuses and Dan Ackroyd (Ghostbusters) as a nutty theorist Mother rounds out the eccentric troupe of circuitry geniuses.
Ben Kingsley (Ghandi, Searching for Bobby Fischer) and James Earl Jones (Hunt For Red October, Star wars) play small but memorable parts that enhance their character traits.
A classic in this house, John Doe found Sneakers to be the perfect prescription when facing last weeks illness. It is well constructed with a greater point than just distraction, but it’s the distraction that I really appreciated at the time.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Trailer
Here is an enjoyable clip from the film that doesn't spoil the plot.
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
katyzzz
Cool post dude!
Great review.
And perfect choice of a film to watch while you're sick. It's certainly one I'd hire again, and re-watch.
David ...
Movies and Life
I saw this film years ago (when was it made?) and remember liking it.
Are you better now? I was sick all last week too and am now just getting into things. Hope you're feeling better.
Tracy
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Celebrity Obsession
I loved this movie.....and not just because I had a huge crush on River Phoenix.
You've made me all nostalgic, I'll have to go out and get it so I can enjoy it all over again
Kylie
still love the ending where all the actors blindside the nsa.
Film & TV on DVD
Glad you liked this one, Redford is certainly a cool customer in any age group.
Hi Chic Critique,
River was what pulled me in, back in the day...he was so talented he even a made a generic part like this one into an individual character performance.
Film & TV on DVD
Glad you dig the review man, I actually wrote it a lot shorter than usual.
It's great that the film is so universally liked....maybe its time for a "Wargames" review soon...."shall we play a game?"
Film & TV on DVD
Sneakers was released in 1992, goddamn 15 years have flown by.
Feeling hunky dory now, thanks for asking....was really down and out there for a while.
Film & TV on DVD
Totally agree that Poitier, Redford and co are allowed to act their age while still maintaining a level of excitement. A rare adventure that doesn't pander to stereotype.
Hi KylieW,
You will enjoy revisiting this one Im sure, River is still a treat and the plot remains tangible and intelligent.
Film & TV on DVD
Totally agree the ending is a joy, loved David Strathairn's quest for "peace and good will towards men"...