Impressive and Enjoyable, Even the Nth Time Around

Rating: 8/10 (17 December 2006)

A truly excellent film score, fine casting and acting, and stunning special effects and action (especially the Moscow Car Chase scene), all make this a very worthwhile movie. That chase scene is the very best I've ever seen.
Paul Greengrass is a pretty good director, if this is a truly representative example of his work. I will rent his "Bloody Sunday" on this recommendation alone.
With minor flaws (see below), this one was obviously a team effort all the way. Of course, it is a spy thriller, so don't expect the problems of the world to be solved, or a huge emotional investment by the viewer, or something to write home about. It is merely an enjoyable movie on all levels. How many of the current Hollywood "efforts" can really claim that? Answer: Very few.
My primary criterion for any movie is the "watch it many times" test; this one passes it with flying colors. I even _bought_ the DVD, rather than just renting it. To those who know how tight I am, that is heavy praise! Excellent flick!
_But_ my vote is "only" 8 out of 10. This is really quite a good rating from me, but does not rate tops. Primarily because the scene where Kirill (Karl Urban) shoots poor Marie (Franka Potente) has some spoilingly-poor details, including a "bucking" rifle (no good shooter would allow that), and an unbroken rear window of the getaway vehicle, seen when it is hauled, later, out of the river into which it careened off the bridge. C'mon director and editors, let's work together on this...