Traitor Review

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The General Idea

Plot Synopsis From IMDB: When strait arrow FBI agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) heads up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy, all clues seem to lead back to former U.S. Special Operations officer, Samir Horn (Don Cheadle). A mysterious figure with a web of connections to terrorist organizations, Horn has a knack for emerging on the scene just as a major operation goes down. The task force links Horn to a prison break in Yemen, a bombing in Nice and a raid in London, but a tangle of contradictory evidence emerges, forcing Clayton to question whether his quarry is a disaffected former military operative – or something far more complicated. Obsessed with discovering the truth, Clayton tracks Horn across the globe as the elusive ex-soldier burrows deeper and deeper into a world of shadows and intrigue.

The Good

This is a film about the war on terror and the war of terror. We see both sides of the battle and the film does a very good job of showing the global networks, intelligence and skill that exists from each faction. The film certainly takes a side against terror, but not without showing us that their reasons are much more complicated than just “hating freedom.” In one particular scene we see both the FBI and the terrorist organization reading off Samir Horn’s (Cheadle) life history.

This film takes us around the globe to multiple locations, and not only did I appreciate the different location shots, it was necessary to show the global nature of terrorism and the sophistication of the organizations that make it happen. You are reminded that people with nefarious plans are armed, organized and smattered across the globe, this reminder creeped me out after the film was wrapped.

The acting in this film was very good all around, Cheadle in particular is a dude I always like to see; and this was no exception. The guy has chops and is among my favorite actors working today. Most of the action in this film was at his hands, and not only did he kick ass, he did it well. I normally wouldn’t have slotted Cheadle for an action role, but I wouldn’t be averse to seeing him in another punch em up.

The Bad (possible spoilers)

I am generally not a big fan of films that involve undercover officers. They show us the underbelly of the crime world, but have a hero that is only “in it” to out them. I guess this is done to make the audience feel better about being part of the situation (through viewing). I would much prefer a film about a scum-bag, who is among scum-bags, is never redeemed and eventually gets justice – see Dillinger.

This film was long and the story got a little boring nearing the end. I understand that this is a serious film, and a lot of “espionage” work had to be covered, but it just doesn’t make for much cinematic excitement. They did throw in violence here and there to pick up the pace, but too many “meeting” scenes happened on both sides of the law and the film dragged because of it.

The main cop (Guy Pearce) investigating the case is too perfect, he knows the language, has read the Koran and is the theologian son of a baptist minister. If they had a scene where the FBI purposefully searches out an agent for the job – that would make sense, but to randomly have this guy on the case was a stretch beyond my reach.

As an aside I would like to see a film like this where the guy gets found out half way through and is made to pay because of it. The guy you thought was the main character is now dead, and you have to adjust to the story.

Overall

I enjoyed this film. Problems aside they had a fairly balanced perspective on the problem of terrorism, and the story was good enough for an enjoyable theatre outing. Out of 10, I would give this film a 6. I would count this a safer bet than Disaster Movie this holiday weekend – that is certain.