Spy Game [Blu-ray]

Really one of those greats.

Love the play on words at the end. Great performances and story line.

Exciting tale, keeps interest! Great seller condition and transaction! Recommend A+

Actually, I would be more inclined to give this movie 3½ stars, as it was good, but had some minor flaws.Robert Redford plays Nathan Muir, a retiring CIA agent, who is called to recount his experiences with Tom Bishop, played by Brad Pitt. Seems Pitt has gotten into some trouble with the Chinese government, and now the CIA is trying to justify their actions in not trying to rescue Bishop by picking Muirs' brain, looking for anything they can use against Bishop. Muir, who recruited and trained Bishop, recounts missions with Bishop, while working surreptitiously against the agency for a more favorable outcome to the situation.The movie, which takes place in 1991, goes through a number of flashbacks, starting from 1975 Vietnam, to the 80's in Beirut, to the present, 1991, equalling a span of 16 years. It was odd to see how little the characters changed physically. I mean, they both looked the same in 1975 as they did in 1991 with the exception of different haircuts. I had a hard time placing Brad Pitt in Vietnam, but whatever. Once you accept this, and focus on the story, it becomes more enjoyable. The development of the friendship between Bishop and Muir seems a little on the light side, especially based on the importance this relationship plays at the end of the movie. Also, some of the more techno music seemed out of place, or maybe it was the frequency in which it was used, and I have heard some people say that this movie needed more action, but I would disagree. I found the inner workings of the CIA to be fascinating, especially when Muir was going behind his peer's backs to get the information he needed. It was really interesting to see him use little tricks of the trade and such to maneuver around, between, over, and under his peers and always stay two steps ahead. And Redford played this aspect of his role so naturally, you honestly believed he was someone who spent years honing these skills.While I think Brad Pitt did alright in his role as Bishop, the real reason to watch this movie is to see Robert Redford in action. He's truly a master of his craft, and he doesn't let down here. The story is a little weak, and the ending is a cop out, but Redford brings this movie up from a mediocre thriller to one that's worth renting, at the very least.

Redford and Pitt make Spy Game what it is - a fast pace, roller coaster, intelligent race to the finish. There is the required action, a well done storyline, great acting, smart story, and gripping ride.In some ways Redford fans should see in Pitt a younger version of the true definition of a “star.” That they are paired here, in an almost father-son relationship between the two, is a great pairing in general, let alone in this film, and ultimately makes me wish they’d done more work together. As two CIA operatives in a world where you trust no one, these two forged a relationship that means one has to save the other when the US government has given up on him. Redford’s intelligence and subtle acting capture your attention and holds on. What’s he up to...? Pitt is the natural, the guy who can be anyone - as a spy - and get the job done. But they both have other layers of who they are, knowing and questioning the “why” of their world. Scenes together are as exciting and charged as without the other, and finds a balance that keeps the pace moving along whichever way they go. Without giving much away - I hate it when reviews tell you what happened - I’ll say that in the end these two men - a world apart - still have each other’s back.If you like intelligence with your action, subtle acting with high octane action, humor dispersed with the challenge of a world on fire... Spy Game is the ticket to ride.

Despite the violence, which will usually cause me to stop watching a move entirely, this movie is so good, and I've watched it so many times, that I finally purchased it. The drama is compelling, the acting is top-notch, and it contains some of the best scenes ever filmed, especially the dialog between Redford and Pitt.

Most realistic training I’ve seen in a movie

15% funny in what is supposed to be a "cute" way, with gratuitous violence and a subliminal theme. This movie is a vehicle presenting empire propaganda to young people whose guardians aren't closely aware of what is being fed in the form of entertainment to their children). No judgment there, but many or most PG-13 movies are entrainment into the ideas presented here as "comedy" and "spy" genre movies.Poor yoked-up incompetent spy guy gets disciplined by having to work with geeky female computer spy co-worker, whom the 9 year-old boldly identifies as lesbian. With the technology, his cohort's "brains" and his "brawn" they can catch the bad guys. Oh wait, the 9-year old gets in on the action and sweetly attempts and succeeds in manipulating a relationship between her widowed mom and the big softy who is the spy. Same guy who put up cameras in her apartment to spy on her and her mom. He's not so bad. He teachers her how to lie and evade detection.Gratuitous encoding with introduction of bots that travel through our bloodstreams to "help" people (when the kids bring parents to school to talk about their jobs), on and on with the normalizing of a future none of us wants to continue, much less see.I'm telling it the way I saw it. This movie is not one I would turn to as entertainment for a child I care about, who will be bringing this into the future with him or her or them. I see it as cabal produced programming with no redeeming lessons or wisdom.Except this: Even the bad guys are ultimately our teachers. What we learn from them is up to us.