Swordfish (2001)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Dominic Sena

Writer (WGA):

Skip Woods (written by)

Release Date:

8 June 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Thriller | Crime

Tagline:

Log on. Hack in. Go anywhere. Steal everything.

Plot:

A secretive renegade counter-terrorist co-opts the world's greatest hacker (who is trying to stay clean) to steal billions in US Government dirty money.

Plot Keywords:

Computer | Coercion | Villain Played By Lead Actor | Black Panties | Undressing Scene

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sat. July 4

2:00 PM

TNT

Cast

John Travolta	...	Gabriel Shear
Hugh Jackman	...	Stanley Jobson
Halle Berry	...	Ginger Knowles
Don Cheadle	...	Agent J.T. Roberts
Sam Shepard	...	Senator James Reisman
Vinnie Jones	...	Marco
Drea de Matteo	...	Melissa
Rudolf Martin	...	Axl Torvalds
Zach Grenier	...	Assistant Director Bill Joy
Camryn Grimes	...	Holly Jobson
Angelo Pagan	...	Torres (as Angelo Pagán)
Chic Daniel	...	SWAT Leader
Kirk B.R. Woller	...	Axel's Lawyer
Carmen Argenziano	...	Agent
Tim DeKay	...	Agent

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and some sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #38324) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | Denmark:15 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Philippines:R-18 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (w) | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:14 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Belasco Theatre - 1060 S. Hill Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Jonathan Krane Group

Trivia:

The scene in which the school bus is swung was actually shot by hiring a group of people to sit in a bus, in front of a blue screen, while they swung the bus from a crane. According to the stunt coordinators, the same effect could have been portrayed for half the cost.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Gabriel walks away from the trunk of his car and starts firing his machine gun, the trunk is open and has bullet holes. In the next shot (taken from behind the car), the trunk is closed and has no damage.

Quotes:

Stanley: Nothing is impossible.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Cameron Diaz/Jimmy Eat World (#27.16)" (2002)

Soundtrack:

Play to the Music

Good escapist entertainment

I think people have been a little to harsh on this movie. No it is not revelatory but it is a nice glossy diversion. The all-star cast, especially Hugh Jackman, is more than competent though they aren't really challenged. There are enough special effects and stunts intermixed with a fairly compelling narrative (it is not confusing if you just pay attention) to make the film more than worthwhile. Overall good entertainment, 7/10.