S.W.A.T. Details

Well what did you expect!!!

I won't hear any complaints by watchers of this film! Unless you were born yesterday, you know what to expect before you hire it, which is of course, no-brains action and knuckle-head machismo. But isn't that the point? Sometimes we need some testosterone-pumping drivel to watch and not have to think about. Well, it made me feel better anyway and if this film had turned out to be touching and sensitive I think I would be feeling pretty cheated right now! As it is, this bog-standard action movie, lacking in plot and substance (think Top Gun for the 'noughties' but not as good!), leaves me feeling recharged and ready to begin watching and appreciating some meaningful and hopefully original material again (at least until Paycheck or the next Jackie Chan movie!). These money-spinners will continue to be made and will continue to put (boys') bums on seats, maintaining the equilibrium currently threatened by the overwhelming amount of wishy-washy chick flicks available. Just watch and enjoy it for what it is or don't bother!

[Highly rated reviewer]

SWAT or not?

I must confess, I only rented SWAT because my partner wanted to watch it, and I was fully prepared to loathe it based on all the preconceptions I had.

Some of them were vindicated. The script is abysmal with more “Goddams” than a Nick Cave Anthology and with a machismo edge that filled the room with so much testosterone I started pumping iron... literally. The plot is so childish it should have stabilisers while the acting requires everyone to furrow their brows and growl their lines apart from Samuel L Jackson who as far as I can tell is the same in every role he plays.

Yet for all its faults I quite enjoyed watching SWAT. There is something to be said for occasionally switching off the brain and allowing complete bunkum like this to wash over you.

Based on an old TV show the film has been updated for the noughties with a female officer who is a single mom, but gawd bless her can kick butt as well as the men. There’s the requisite desk bound taciturn Captain, the inspirational Sarge (Jackson) and the man with something to prove(Farrell).

It’s entertaining nonsense but seems well aware of its limitations and subsequently doesn’t offend too much. It won’t do too much for the tourist industry in L.A. though!