THE SAINT (1997)

Directed By: Philip Noyce Written By: Jonathan Hensleigh & Wesley Strick Story By: Jonathan Hensleigh Based On Characteres Created By: Leslie Charteris Cinematography By: Phil Meheux Editor: Terry Rawlings Cast: Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue, Emily Mortimer, Rade Serbedzija, Alun Armstrong, Henry Goodman Simon Templar has no real family, no real home and Simon Templar isn't even his real name. Yet Simon Templar , also known as the Saint for his use of creating false identities using the names of Catholic saints,is one of the world's most successful thieves. Slick, debonair and a master of disguise, Simon manages to outwit the police again and again. On his next job Simon is hired by the Russian Mafia to steal a cold fusion energy formula from scientist Emma Russel, however the mission backfires as he falls for the pretty, intelligent scientist. Simon and his new love must now manage to outwit the Russian Mafia and work out the energy formula before the worst happens and the US is affected forever. It’s a strange hybrid of a espionage film mixed with a super hero film as it is detail oriented enough for a espionage film but the story is so ridiculous and broad it takes you out of the realism and as a superhero film it isn’t action oriented enough. Nor is the hero that inspiring as his main skill is impersonation. The film would have benefitted from just being a straight up spy espionage film. Making it more citing and having him pop up as a rogue spy. Instead we are not supposed to be sure if he is a true mercenary or a bad guy or hero. When the name alone tells us and once in awhile the action scenes make the film come alive. While we know there is no real danger for the hero. It’s interesting to see how he survives The villains belong more in a superhero film they are broad and are actually quite interesting and have god internal drama themselves. Elisabeth Shue has nothing to do except be the Damsel in distress. Though she is supposed to be a genius scientist, but keeps making the biggest mistakes as soon as she steps out the lab she becomes stupid and has no street smarts at all. Val Kilmer is good as the titular hero who is initially cold and distant. We get a look at his past but still wonder how he earned his skills. I guess if the film had been a hit the sequels would have covered that. Philip Noyce does the best that he can do with the material. He is a skilled director His previous work in PATRIOT GAMES helps him here. Though makes the film have a more espionage feel. He tries to work with what he has been given and he should get credited as making this film as good as it can be The problem is that this hero is so far removed from the general public’s memory that it made no sense to make a modern remake. As there is a very limited audience for it. On the films side you can basically make up your own hero for modern audiences sensabilities instead they try to stay close to the original premise and keep it a modest budget emphasizing story over action. Where as it would have been better doing the usual the other way around. It’s a film very much of the 90’s Where instead of making superhero films people wanted to see instead they went out to find properties they could acquire cheaply or way past Rememberance (THE PHANTOM) and make big screen versions. Adding B-List celebrities in the lead with modest budgets. The shame is that this film had promise but didn’t become to the best of it’s abilities. They even try to make the film seem hip and exciting by making it’s score Mostly dance and electronic music that backfires as it reminds you of how slow the film actually is. No matter how much quick flashy edits you add Skip IT GRADE: D+