Solid DePalma Murder Mystery
Added 10/7/2009
Nothing at all profound or even original in this ringside murder mystery but 100 minutes of entertainment. DePalma keeps up the pace while Cage and Company do a good job with fairly stereotyped characters. Subtlety is in very short supply but overblown characters and suspense are the objective here; an objective reached. For a pleasant evening with no burdensome problems of public policy or the human condition to make you think, this will hit the spot.
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Conspiracy in Atlantic City
Added 9/3/2009
At first I didn't like this film because of the plot twist in the middle that seemed a bit too obvious. But now, as I am finding interest in political thrillers, I find this a fine underrated film. Yes, there's the typical uninterrupted shot from director de Palma, but Snake Eyes is much more than that. There's lots of political intrigue, as well as fantastic performances by Nicholas Cage and Gary Sinise. I didn't really find the ending as deeply satisfying as I hoped, but still, the film overall is a very good one. I would recommend this to those who are into political thrillers . . . and boxing.
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dePalma's Unique Directorship is worth the price
Added 2/20/2009
As old newer classics go, this one is definitely worth the admission price. It starts out with a long, incredibly well choreographed setup in which a camera follows Cage, constantly ad libbing as only Cage can, and this whole sequence unfolds over many breathtaking minutes, with no apparent "cuts" in the action. That was memorable when I saw this flick over a decade ago, and it's still unsurpassed by the CGI junk that we see today. Gary Sinise is wonderful as the sneaky evil dude, and Carla Gugino was new and gorgeous.
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I Agree The Ending Was Weak But Overall It's An Entertaining Movie
Added 12/18/2008
Most people didn't like this movie, from what I have heard and read over the years. However, I found this a very fast-moving, involving story with Nicholas Cage playing an extremely interesting person: "Rick Santoro," a guy who acts like a complete crazy man at the beginning but slowly gets it together as the film goes on.
Gary Sinise plays his normal corrupt role. (This was before his good-guy CSI: New York days.) Brian DePalma directed this, so you know it's going to be stylishly shot, too, a bit sleazy. The film looks very good on DVD.
All the characters are interesting, actually. One complaint: the ending was a bit weak and detracts from the story. It's an edgy story and one that will keep your interest all he way. Don't be discouraged reading a lot of negative reviews on oher sites about this film. It's good entertainment.
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Unfortunately Something Has to Happen
Added 9/8/2008
The first thirty minutes are great. You get your money's worth from Brian De Palma in the form of a bravura continuous shot of the various backstage movers at an Atlantic City prizefight. It's the perfect fusion of layered exposition and sheer style. You also get your money's worth from Nicholas Cage playing to the rafters as a slimeball cop in a bright yellow shirt. The opening sequence ends with a political assassination, and clues to the killers' identity emerge in multiple flashbacks that cover the same situation from different angles. It's a great gimmick, but unfortunately De Palma doesn't stick with it. About midway through the conspiracy is unmasked, the flashbacks are abandoned, and "Snake Eyes" settles into a conventional thriller with Cage racing to save the life of a pretty young woman who Knows Too Much. Like so many movies based around a great premise, the premise can't stretch to fill the whole running time. Eventually something has to happen, and in this case you've seen that something a thousand times before.
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