Decent, if Flawed Movie

Rating: 6/10 (27 January 2019)

21 July 2002. I was at first encouraged by the first half of this movie when it seemed that America would get a rather diverse perspective of a high stakes military thriller of a movie. But by the end of the movie I was disappointed that the movie turned into the usual typical American pumping support of individualism and bravado along with the evil Russian empire. There were plenty of plot confusions, moral reversals. It's sad that the movie didn't play more on the personal plight, human relationships (husband/wife) possibilities. The actual ending of the movie was different and in keeping with the more high level of substantive movie making than an action film. The special effects and acting were good. The movie kept my interest throughout if not simmering in my seat because of the apparent flaws in movie logic (not human logic). I also have many doubts about what "inspire" by true events meant. The actual events might have been much more entertaining I suspect. This is a good summer movie with plenty of intensity and action and political intrigue, but it could have been so much better. 3 out of 5 stars.