Snake Eyes opens with a brilliant 12-minute tracking shot, ostensively one long unedited scene. In this sequence we learn everything we need to know about our hero, played by Nicolas Cage. He is a highly energetic and corrupt Atlantic City cop - "it's a sewer, but it's my sewer." It's fight night, and there are a number of dignitaries in the crowd. Included in this select group is the Minister of Defense, guarded by a good friend of Nic's, played by Gary Sinese.
It isn't long before the Minister of Defense is dead, and Nic's cover-up machine kicks in. But who is really guilty here? Who's the blonde, and who's the redhead? Will our hero ultimately stay in character, or will his conscience win over?
Brian De Palma should do well by this material. He's a veteran of thrillers with a number of good ones under his belt (see Blow Out, Body Double, Carrie). But this movie loses steam about halfway through. A cliched and perfectly predictable plot sets in, the Nicolas Cage character loses his energy, and the finale in the rain makes no sense. To add insult to injury, the movie tacks on a half-hearted happy ending. Rent the aformentioned movies instead.
It isn't long before the Minister of Defense is dead, and Nic's cover-up machine kicks in. But who is really guilty here? Who's the blonde, and who's the redhead? Will our hero ultimately stay in character, or will his conscience win over?
Brian De Palma should do well by this material. He's a veteran of thrillers with a number of good ones under his belt (see Blow Out, Body Double, Carrie). But this movie loses steam about halfway through. A cliched and perfectly predictable plot sets in, the Nicolas Cage character loses his energy, and the finale in the rain makes no sense. To add insult to injury, the movie tacks on a half-hearted happy ending. Rent the aformentioned movies instead.