Icon (2005)

Truly the worst movie I've ever seen in a theater

I'll tell you why so serious

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

FREDDY FORSYTH has come up with a storyline which will suit the mood of the West's suspicions about Putin's Russia. Forsyth installs a nasty guy as the Ruski president who wants to return the country - not so much to Stalin's Communism but more to Hitlerian Fascism. In fact, his Political Manifesto could have come straight out of Mein Kampf rather than Marx. And, the loon has the latest weapons of biological destruction to achieve the ethnic cleansing pogrom of the Russian Federation. American mercenaries connive with the Russian Prez to realise his fanatical, genocidal dream, but then enter Dirty Dancing's Pat Swayze...and,yep,things get really down and dirty. He's a former US operative-turned-drifter,Jason Monk, who is enlisted by the British Government to see what the Russians are up to. As a corny sidebar, Swayze's character who is no Monk (!)has sired a Russian beauty Elena (played by the gorgeous Marta Kondova) on his previous missions to the former Commie state. Hardman Swayze does a passable job in setting out to defeat the evil Russians. But young unknown actress Marta Kondova steals the flick as his nubile, 18-year-old Russian daughter Elena who helps dad root out the terror threatening her beloved Mother Russia.

I have not seen and heard the original version.I am no Russian, but I am learning right now.I also have no preferences for Russia, Bulgaia, the US etc.But what I have to mention is:In the German synchronisation in the whole film all Russians speak with Russian accent. Americans talk "Hochdeutsch" (without accent)! I have never heard such a stupidity! Besides, this is boring.I hope the original is better.The rest is a simple thriller, not really good ideas. Like a cheap version of a James Bond film.

I actually liked the thing ! Set aside that it didn't ring true with the novel, I am well pleased to see another Forsyth adaptation. Whilst Swayze is still a bit wooden, he has that weary look of an old dog which is good for the part. And I found the casting of Joss Ackland inspired (liked him also as the Ambassador in 'The Hunt For Red October'). Bergin as a rip-off Stalin was very nice, though his fake accent sometimes made me gag. Another joy was the slick Jeff Fahey, love those old blue eyes.Whilst it didn't follow the book, I still rate it as an enjoyable TV-movie. Nice production, a little soft, not that exciting, but still a very enjoyable watch. Don't beat it so hard.Only one thing, Michael York as Sir Nigel Irvine ?. Since Austin Powers one can't take him seriously as head off SIS (which he in the book of Forsyth is). But he's still a fine character actor.The whole thing made me weary for the days when Alan Howard played Sam MacReady in the movies about 'THE DECEIVER'. Wonder when they will be put on DVD (region 2 that is). If they are, please let me know.CNOTE

I decided to rent this, not expecting much since Hallmark stuff is usually kinda soft but what a surprise! Action and suspense. Patrick Swayze is back and kicks ass! It would be great to see him in a real action flick ie Tom Cruise style. I did not read the book but are they ever true to the novel?The cast is great. The girl who plays Sonya (Annika Peterson) is both hot and smart. She runs the show which is impressive in a male dominated flick where the girl is usually just a sex object. This of course made my wife happy. Michael York, from Austen Powers, is slick. However, he could use some more gadgets. The gadgets were weak along with the special effects but the story is a good reflection of what is going on in the world today.