Even better than I have expected

Rating: 8/10 (18 June 2005)

I walked into the cinema, knowing that the film will not be boring and expect it to be just another Hollywood summer film. Yet surprisingly, I find it highly entertaining - it never made me feel that 2 hours have actually passed. Brad Pitt and Anglina Jolie are cooler than I have expected. No wonder the movie appeals to a wide audience. The music score does not disappoint. I am glad that Nicole Kidman is not available for the Jane Smith part (according to the Time magazine, she is preoccupied with the Stepford Wives). Kidman is beautiful but she may not be a convincing assassin. Neither is Catherine Zeta Jones. Both of them have not the determined look and physical prowess as Angeline Jolie has. Action-packed movie fans will find this a delight!
But what makes this movie better than other summer blockbusters is that there are moments which strikes a deep chord in the audience - the dialogues or the way Brad and Angelina looked at each other. There is chemistry between Brad and Angelina. I really cared what happened next. It pained me to see how they actually tried to kill one another. And when they were at each other's throat, it was not unlike what happen to couples with difficult marriages in real life.
You gradually see how they admire one another when they fight one another and discover the other person's killing instinct and professionalism. The more they know one another's secret, the harder it is for them to kill the other and save own's life.
(contains spoilers) The movie will definitely appeal to woman audience of all ages. Brad Pitt is a big draw. Marriage problems are well handled in the film. Also compare the head count between Jane Smith and John Smith. How Jane outsmarted John in the search of the house. And John proves to be a gentleman who refused to shoot at Jane etc.
This is a fast-paced movie combining action, romance and drama. I am tempted to keep a DVD copy when it is available.