Fine, but overlong

Rating: Null/10 (28 October 1998)

For the first two and a quarter hours, this film is Academy Award material. It has a great science fiction premise, a haunting script, some very good action sequences, and great acting, particularly from Jodie Foster, leading one of the best ensemble casts ever assembled. However, while I wouldn't say that the film fell apart at the end, it was certainly hurt somewhat by it. The film probably should have ended with Foster's final speech to James Woods. After that, the film goes through a number of pseudo-endings, until it doesn't so much end as drop from exhaustion. Nevertheless, it is still a fine movie.