Behind Enemy Lines

A Navy navigator is shot down over enemy territory and is ruthlessly pursued by a secret police enforcer and the opposing troops. Meanwhile his commanding officer goes against orders in an attempt to rescue him.

Director:

John Moore

Writers:

Jim Thomas (story) (as James Thomas), John Thomas (story)

Stars:

Gene Hackman, Owen Wilson, Gabriel Macht

Storyline

Fighter navigator Chris Burnett wants out: he was looking for something more than the boring recon missions he's been flying. He finds himself flying the lone Christmas day mission over war-torn Bosnia. But when he talks pilot Stackhouse into flying slightly off-course to check out an interesting target, the two get shot down. Burnett is soon alone, trying to outrun a pursuing army, while commanding officer Reigert finds his rescue operation hamstrung by politics, forcing Burnett to run far out of his way.

User Reviews

It serves its purpose as fluff and filler. No more, no less.

14 May 2002 | by Gino Pagliuca (gino@theworldjournal.com) – See all my reviews

Behind Enemy Lines follows a shot-down pilots' struggle to stay alive and ultimately get rescued from... well, behind enemy lines. The premise is as simple as that, and so is the story. Don't expect much character development for anyone you see in this film because you will be disappointed. But, and it's a big one, if you want to be entertained and are willing to sit through an hour and a half of rehashed storylines, then you'll probably actually find yourself liking this movie.

Owen Wilson (Shanghai Noon, Bottle Rocket) plays the pilot whom is in severe danger throughout the film. There is absolutely no doubt that had this movie actually been written to take place in the real world, or even follow basic proper storytelling, his character would not have lived to see the last 50 minutes of this film, but that is not the point here. The point is strictly to keep the audience interested for it's full length and it succeeds. I can't say that I recommend this film but I definitely was not bored while watching it. Wilson did a great job here in making his character sympathetic, all the while forcing us to not ask so many questions about the plot since really the story (if you want to call it that) doesn't allow much time to stop. He is on the run.

The film begins with a cliche setup of a hotshot Navy flier who has had enough of his 7 years doing nothing onboard the Navy Aircraft. He has done no more than routine checks and excersises and was hoping to see and serve for the real deal...war. The scene would have been laughable, but is reduced to mere smirks while watching Gene Hackman (Admiral Reigart) delivers his lines. Shortly after, and right in time for X-mas dinner, Owen and his partner must do one of those routine checks. Owen, having been given permission to be dismissed in 2 weeks, feels he has nothing to lose so decides to break the rules and fly over a restricted area which is supposed be empty anyway. Well I couldn't believe it when they found trouble lurking there (I'm being sarcastic).

So now the plane is shot down in Bosnia, Owen's partner is the one injured when they land from having ejected from the plane. Moments after, Owen leaves to get to higher ground where his communication devices work. I don't know why I even bothered explaining this much of this so called plot, frankly it doesn't matter. Here's my advice, don't go see this film if you want a story that will amaze. It's all about action; it's about close calls, and unbelievable plot twists and outcomes. It's about good and bad, and the American hero. And its first time director, John Moore, delivers in a "close, but no cigar" level of Bruckheimer Films (Armageddon, Top Gun). That's not really a good thing.

So if your a regular movie goer and have little taste for a challenging film experience, then by all means go see this. It serves its purpose as fluff and filler. No more, no less.