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Basic
2003
John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson team up in BASIC, an action-packed military thriller from director John McTiernan (DIE HARD). Jackson plays Sergeant Nathan West, propagator of a harsh military training programme that appears to have pushed a group of young recruits too far, when an exercise winds up with them attempting to .. Read more
| Starring | John Travolta, Connie Nielsen, Samuel L. Jackson, Brian Van Holt |
|---|---|
| Director | John McTiernan |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Basic
John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson team up in BASIC, an action-packed military thriller from director John McTiernan (DIE HARD). Jackson plays Sergeant Nathan West, propagator of a harsh military training programme that appears to have pushed a group of young recruits too far, when an exercise winds up with them attempting to kill each other. Only two soldiers emerge alive from the slaughter, and Jackson isn't among them. Rogue DEA agent Tom Hardy (Travolta) is called in to question the survivors, teaming up with Lieutenant Julia Osbourne (Connie Nielsen), in an attempt to solve the puzzle.
The two remaining soldiers (played by Giovanni Ribisi and Brian Van Holt) tell their conflicting tales, with director McTiernan utilising flashbacks to illustrate what may have happened in the Panama jungle. It quickly transpires that Jackson and Travolta's characters are old army acquaintances, both with a penchant for unorthodox techniques; and when it transpires that corrupt doctor Bill Styles (Harry Connick Jr.) has been selling the recruits illegal drugs, it also appears he has a romantic history with Nielsen's character. The subsequent plot twists come thick and fast, resulting in a white-knuckle ride to the finale, in which nothing can be taken for granted.
| Starring | John Travolta, Connie Nielsen, Samuel L. Jackson, Brian Van Holt, Timothy Daly |
|---|---|
| Director | John McTiernan |
| Studio | ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 38 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 16 Jan 2004 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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A risible attempt at a military thriller, John McTiernan's follow up to the marginally worse Rollerball misfires on practically all levels. A platoon of US Army Rangers goes in to the Panamanian jungle on a routine training exercise, and only two come out alive. DEA agent Tom Hardy (John Travolta) is brought in to investigate the killings — alongside inexperienced female interrogator Connie Nielsen — and uncovers a nexus of corruption. As the incoherent plotting reveals layer upon layer of deceit, it becomes difficult to care about anything or anybody as each development is bound to be revealed as bogus. Despite some enjoyable scenery-chewing moments, not even Travolta, reunited here with Pulp Fiction partner Samuel L Jackson who plays a gung-ho sergeant, can save this.
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A rumble in the jungle I can thoroughly recommend.
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Most helpful member's review
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35 out of 35 people found this review helpful
'Who dunnit' military thriller with some excellent performances
Expecting a mediocre military action film i was pleasantly surprised to find the film has a gripping plot filled with twists and turns that left me guessing until the very end (well, almost the very end). Agent Tom Hardy (John Travolta) is an ex-ranger asked by his old Colonel friend to investigate the murder of Captain West (Samuel L. Jackson) and his Ranger trainees during a routine training mission in Panama. What follows is a 'who dunnit' investigation which offers a variety of explanations that are continually twisting, leaving the viewer with a big smile on his face and a look of puzzlement for ten minutes before he finally gives up and says, 'heck, it was a good film anyway'.
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Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Nothing Basic about it
This is a rip-roaring, rollercoaster of twists, spills, wrong turns and excitment.
With the tension slowly building up all the way through the film by seeing different peoples sides of the story and some excellent individual performances.
This films a very good thriller and I recommend everyone who likes having their heads messed with to see it!
You may even have to watch it twice to fully get it!
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News and features
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Die Hard director announces new movie
- 07 Jun 2007
Action director John McTiernan will direct a new thriller based in the gambling capital of Las Vegas, it emerged today. Entitled High Stakes, the movie has not yet been cast but is to revolve around two friends who come to realise they are the living deposit for a big-money bet, the Hollywood Reporter explained. It is set to begin filming in the autumn - but until then, eager fans may want to catch up on McTiernan's action-packed back catalogue, including the classic movie Die Hard. He also... Read more
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