The International

The International (just released onto DVD this past Tuesday) stars Clive Owen who plays Interpol agent Louis Salinger.

The International starts off and hooks you right away as there is a dramatic shift within the first five minutes which hooks you and starts the journey of twists and turns that is to follow in the next couple of hours. What I loved about this film is that as the viewer there was a lot of discovery and a lot that is left mysterious about the film. I'm usually one who is trying to figure out where the film is going but The International does a good job at not necessarily following the typical action movie mold.

One of things that actually surprised me about this movie was the cinematography. There were a lot of wider shots and a lot more cinematic camera movements than I was expecting but I think that they added to the film and were not there just because they could put them there. Another visual part of this movie that I really enjoyed were the very bright whites in some of the set locations as well as I enjoyed seeing some of the establishing shots of the various countries that were featured in the film. The whites helped play a part to the industrial feel of the bank as well as some of the other locations and a lot of the shooting locations and sets were perfect for the film and that combined with the score really made for a lot of good things coming together in this movie.

The best way I can think to describe this movie is that some times it is the typical action movie but in a lot of ways it isn't. There isn't a big flashy sports car, there is no sex scene where the agent sleeps with the female side-kick in the movie, and there isn't really any big evil villain. Instead the action movie feels almost real in a way, because it has a very human element: the main female character in this film Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) was actually equal to Louis and is the head of the investigation for the US side (on a personal note I wanted a little more out of watts' character - that would be the only addition I would make to a pretty stellar movie).

Finally, I really enjoyed the locations because of a recent trip I took through Turkey...it was very nice to see it on the big screen. Oh, and be sure to watch at least the beginning of the credits because behind the images will leave you thinking.

So, for the thriller/suspense/action film The International I give 4 stars.

-Dav3


**After posting my previous post on Benjamin Button I found I have a personal connection to the movie: In the scene where Daisy is dancing outdoors (when she is 23...I believe) was filmed in the same location where my sister had her wedding reception! Small world!