"Spartan" review

Spartan (2004)

Directed by David Mamet
Writing credits David Mamet

Derek Luke .... Curtis
Val Kilmer .... Scott
William H. Macy .... Stoddard
Ed O'Neill .... Burch
Kristen Bell.... Laura Newton

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Val Kilmer is on the hunt for a missing blonde. He's the Spartan. The lone warrior sent by the king in times of distress. He's a man of few words but when he does speak, he sounds like he's in a David Mamet movie. So Kilmer travels here and there to find the missing blonde. It's an emergency. A blonde has gone missing. Call the Spartan.

Kilmer gives his young protégé some good advice: "Stay out of the desert." Kilmer doesn't take his own advice and ends up in Dubai on his single minded quest for the golden girl. Kilmer knows that this blonde belongs in America. Kilmer must do his duty even if the U.S. establishment is determined to permanently bleach this blonde. It turns out that she may have upset the American status quo. Kilmer doesn't care. There is a blonde at stake here! Go Spartan go!

I enjoyed "Spartan". It was a simple political thriller. As a David Mamet movie, it's entertaining. But as an action thriller, it's somewhat lacking. All of the gunfights are in the dark and are hard to make out. One scene that hurt me was the one where the commandos are gearing up for battle. I'm sitting there waiting for combat only to be disappointed when the action comes to a screeching halt. Never have a scene with soldiers checking their machine guns and then have them not fight. That was a tease I didn't need.

But I still liked "Spartan". Mamet movies are always interesting. "Spartan" is worth a look.

SCORE: 3 out of 4 blonde saving Spartans