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The Sentinel
Directed by: Clark Johnson
Starring: Michael Douglas
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Run Time: 108
min.
Release Date:
April 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Trying to conceive of
something as insipid as THE SENTINEL would be pretty difficult. The
problems are many. The result is terrible and loaded with plot holes.
Michael Douglas stars as Pete Garrison, a Secret Service agent who “took
one” for Reagan during the attempt on his life. Years later we find Pete
assigned to the Whitehouse Family, mainly as a guard for the First Lady
(Kim Basinger, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL). Troubles arise as we see Pete’s close
involvement with the First Lady, and a sudden threat against the
President himself (David Rasche, UNITED 93). When Pete fails a polygraph
test, he’s singled out as a disgruntled agent by investigator David
Breckinridge (Kiefer Sutherland,
24 TV series).
As the presidential assassination plot unfolds, Pete finds himself on
the run from his own people. His only confidant is the First Lady, and
she’s reluctant to tell anyone about their affections for one another
(which is why Pete failed the polygraph in the first place). But is Pete
really innocent? Or is he simply trying to buy time until he can kill
the President? If he is innocent, how can he help prevent the
assassination attempt while running from the Secret Service?
The one, big, overwhelming problem with this film is that there’s no
justification for the reason behind the presidential threat. Isn’t that
what the movie’s supposed to be about? One would think so! But the
audience is never let in on why the assassin(s) want to kill the Prez.
Hmm. Someone forget to put that in the script somewhere?
And what’s with David Breckinridge’s (Kiefer’s) new partner, Jill Marin
(Eva Longoria, CARLITA’S WAY)? Seems that she was put in the film
strictly as a piece of ass-candy. What was her purpose again? Did she do
anything other than look nice in tight pants and a low-cut blouse?
There are so many problems with the basic premise of The Sentinel as to
be laughable. The action is too easily stymied by the “What the...?”
responses sure to be uttered by those unfortunate enough to watch the
movie.
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Image from The Sentinel
DVD cost: $24.99
Purchase:
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Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The speech heard before
the American presidents in the G8 meeting, is held in Swedish, and is
finished with the words "... vägnar vill jag tacka er för att ni stödjer
Kyoto-protokollet. Tack så mycket.", which means "... I want to thank
you for supporting the Kyoto Protocol. Thank you very much".
Movie Quote: "In
the 141 year history of the Secret Service, there's never been a traitor
...until now."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Sentinel
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