RSS 2.0Sahara (2005)
I went to see War of the Worlds last week, and the cinematic trailer for this movie caught my eye. I love adventure movies, and although Matthew McCan’tact (as he’s generally referred to on this site) is no Harrison Ford I was quite looking forward to this.
And an adventure movie it is! Based on a Clive Cussler novel, the story takes us to Nigeria and Mali. We follow ‘marine explorer’ Dirk Pitt (McConaughey) who’s looking for the ‘Texas’, a ship lost in America’s civil war. His path crosses that of World Health Organisation doctor Eva Rojas (Penélope Cruz), who’s investigating a mysterious illness in the same region as where the boat’s supposed to be.
From the moment they cross the Mali border they find that not everyone is happy with their presence. A local warlord wants them killed and it’s not long before bullets start flying and things start exploding. The outcome of it all is not terribly original, but the script has a few surprises in store along the way. This is a popcorn type movie, and I strongly suggest not thinking too much during its 124 minute running time. Not that you’ll the time to think with this movie’s relentless pace.
What I loved about Sahara is that Dirk’s ‘comic relief’ type sidekick (Al Giordino, played by Steve Zahn) is actually helpful. I’ve seen so many movies where it’s entirely unclear why the hero would let some clumsy screwup follow them around. Al on the other hand is a good shot, resourceful and funny.
I found McConaughey to be quite bearable in this movie. His arrogant style fits his character. Penélope Cruz is pleasant to look at as always, and so is William H. Macy (the latter for his acting). Director Breck Eisner managed to get the feel of the movie just right; lighthearted and fun.
I for one am happy they still make movies like this.
Roy (117 posts)Web designer and programmer, movie fanatic and devoted dad from Huizen, The Netherlands.
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I saw this movie a while ago and really found it a piece of shit.
I can overcome illogic and crummy scripts, but this was really lost from the start. Plotholes so huge, you could fit an entire bus in them. The combination of the two storylines was rediculous and haphazard. Zahn had some funny moments, but McConaughey was outright annoying and smug. He lacks all the charisma Harrison Ford had or Michael Douglas in the Jewel of the Nile. After a while, his Texan lilt was really getting on my nerves.
Then there is Penelope Cruz. Boy, is her carreer over or what? The only thing she seems able to do is curl that upperlip of hers and deliver drama that is way too serious in what is supposed to be an action comedy. Her appearing and disappearing in the movie was her best trick. Oh no, that was the script’s.
Usually I’m quite a sucker for these kind of movies (I looove Indiana Jones) but with aspirations like these and a result like this, they should’ve popped it straight to DVD.
Comment by paco — Fri July 8, 2005 @ 17:07