Spy Game (2002, VHS)

Spy Game, now out on DVD, is one of those movies that really makes you think. Directed by Tony Scott, who also directed Enemy of the State and Crimson Tide , the movie has action, politics and a touch of love.

Spy Game follows Nathan Muir (Robert Redford), a CIA agent on his last day of the job. We watch as a crisis unfolds in China. A suspected outbreak of disease allows an ambulance into a heavily guarded Chinese prison. On board the ambulance is ex CIA agent, Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt). While pretending to immunize the inmates, Bishop shorts out the power to the prison and attempts to rescue a woman. The Chinese figure out what has happened and both Tom Bishop and the woman, who we will find out is named Elizabeth Hadley (Catherine McCormack), are thrown into the prison. Tom Bishop is scheduled to be executed as a spy.

Back at the CIA in Langley, VA, Muir learns of the capture and the impending execution of Bishop and wants to help him. The CIA, knowing he was a good friend with Bishop, brings Muir in for questioning. Muir recounts the tale of meeting Bishop and how Muir mentored him in the art of Spy Games. They worked together to help people trapped on the Eastern side of the Berlin Wall, and also working as spies during the cold war. The tale is told with vivid flashbacks and ends when Bishop separates from his partner because of meeting a female operative.

Muir figures out that the CIA doesn t plan on making any attempt at rescuing Bishop and takes matters into his own hands

Spy Game was a confusing movie. Until I could organize my thoughts on paper, it was hard to understand what was going on. The cinematography was incredible. Amazing camera angles and well-done flashbacks really contribute to the movie. The plot was well thought up and was a real change from all the American patriotic movies I have seen. The acting was extremely good. Redford and Pitt played their parts well and made the movie extremely realistic. I have to say I also loved the ending. The movie was both action in current day, action in flashbacks and a lot of talking around a CIA table.

The DVD was amazing. All other movies should copy the way this company created their DVD.

The features included:

Audio commentary with director Tony Scott
Audio commentary with producers Marc Abraham and Douglas Wick
Clandestine OPS: A unique viewing experience that puts you in control. Go behind-the-scenes and gain access to classified information simultaneously while watching the film
Alternate versions and deleted scenes including an alternate ending
Script-to-storyboard featurette on Tony Scott's unique filmmaking process
Requirements for CIA acceptance: do you have what it takes to be an operative?

The DVD features were interesting and the menus were easy to navigate. I also thought the alternate ending, while not much different from the original, was better. Some of the deleted scenes were even good, but as with most movies, there was a reason they were deleted. If you haven t seen the movie, I recommend you rent it. If you have seen the movie and you enjoyed it, then go out and buy this DVD. A lot of work obviously went into the making of both DVD and movie. Anyone who enjoys action, the CIA and Robert Redford should definitely give this movie a try. It s more than a game.