A classic for the ages

Rating: 10/10 (4 March 2020)

I watched this film first probably around 2003-4, and nearly 20 years after its initial release, I'm still hugely entertained every time I watch this again (I've rewatched this probably half a dozen times over the years). It's aged tremendously well. Fun, and kinetic like this is rare today.
There's very few green screen, CGI or special effects shots. This is all about good writing, characters, plot, pacing, camera work, score, and set designs. Apart from one characters laughable English accent (and I'm English, people!) there's virtually not a line or scene out of place.
Hollywood today could learn a lot from noting the heartbeats of this film, and the great, great underrated screenplay that drives it. Its perhaps not a surprise that the sequels struggled to live up to it - this is mastery on the first take.