A Keep-em-Guessing Thriller that Actually Works!

Rating: 10/10 (1 April 2006)

Hoo boy, I really liked this movie! Witty, intelligent, well-acted, well-written, cleverly planned, what a great film. The writers did a brilliant job, and Spike Lee did a brilliant job bringing their idea to the screen.
This is so much more than just an elaborate, twisty-turny crime drama. There is so much to like here, from terrific dialog to spots of terror to political intrigue.
For several years now Spike Lee has evolved from a "ghetto filmmaker" to a true icon of film. This film, along with "25th Hour" a few years back, prove that he has the ability to reach across all lines of society and make something with mass appeal. I was in a theater with a large cross-sampling of ethnicities and ages, and EVERYONE loved this film. One minute the theater is laughing with the lines, the next everyone's holding their breath, wondering what happens next.
This is also Denzel Washington at his finest. His delivery is impeccable here.
My only beefs are with the film score (the opening music was brilliant, but occasionally the music didn't set the right mood for the scene), and the somewhat miscast Jodie Foster (whom I love in virtually everything else she's ever done). She played her role admirably, but I don't think she was the proper person for that part.
I have to give it 10 out of 10. I thought it was brilliant.
Barky