Decent thriller! Cruise's assured action debut!

Rating: 7/10 (23 July 2004)

This is the best of the two films. It is an enjoyable thriller and has a decent story. The cast is also full of stars, a lot of whom get killed off early on but still it is a film of class. Brian De Palma directs the proceedings well and this is one of his better films. Tom Cruise is excellent, this was his first action role and he looks the part and does his own stunts while other actors like Jean Reno and Ving Rhames also give good performances. As you would expect there are a lot if twists and turns. There is a constant sense of mystery and the fantastic opening, middle and ending will excite, definitely a classy if confused thriller. ****