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Ashton was the perfect actor for his part as an overly arrogant know it all; he just had to 'be himself'. Ditto for Kevin who is not my favorite actor, but this was a 'perfect' part for his own personal personality. The film was enjoyable, exciting, and entirely engrossing. It was also very informative about the Coast Guard, especially the rescue swimmers. Right now there is a shortage of good films being released. While this was an older film and I am what I consider a pretty avid film fan; I'd never seen it. Just the right kind of movie to entertain. Recommend!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a good action movie even for people who don't necessarily like the "typical" action movie. Kevin Costner stars as a record-holding Coast Guard rescue swimmer who is now training new rescue swimmers. Ashton Kutcher is one of the new rescue swimmers. He is cocky and brash -- just what you'd expect of Ashton Kutcher. What IS surprising is that he can hold his own in this movie! There is some good dialogue and just enough "hot guys in the shower" scenes to keep females (like myself) interested, but there is also plenty of action, rough stuff, and edge-of-the-seat fear to keep *everyone* intrigued. My boyfriend really liked this movie so I had to go out and rent it. As soon as I finished watching it, I knew I wanted to own it so I could watch it over and over again. I bought my boyfriend a copy, too. :) It's just THAT good.Read full review
I give this movie a five of five because a) it is a refreshing change from other boot camp movies, and b) because it completely took me by surprise. I mean, who knew Kevin Costner could act?! Don't get me wrong, I love that he produces sweeping epics like Dances with Wolves and The Postman, but I always walk out of the theater wishing they had cast someone else in the lead role. This movie was different. He fits the role, and is quite believable in what would have been a difficult character to portray. Ashton Kutcher is also surprisingly good. Not genius, but definitely competent. As I am not the first to review the film, I won't repeat the plot synopses others have already provided. I will however, note that my main beef with 21st century filmmaking is that they take an Aristotelian approach to drama - the characters are unimportant, it's only the clever plot that matters. This theory results in two-dimensional, often stereotypical, characters who have no past or future to speak of, unless it is necessary for the plot. I am of the opposite view. Life is "character-driven," if you will, and I enjoy stories that acknowledge this fact. It is the interaction between people, whose respective characters are guided by their pasts, that drives events. And you see that in this film. I cannot go into detail without spoilers, but trust me when I tell you that most of the characters in this film are not cardboard cutouts (though you can't avoid a couple of them in brief supporting roles, I guess), but careful costructions of what seem like actual people, with realistic, and often conflicting, desires. But enough about theory. The movie itself is highly entertaining; the ending, though a bit corny, is not wrapped up happily with a little bow; the acting is much better than I had ever hoped from a Costner/Kutcher film; and the whole package comes together to form a pleasant surprise. I highly recommend renting it. And, if you get a good price, you might want to pick up a copy (I'm not so sanguine on this score, as I don't suggest buying movies sight-unseen, and, frankly, everyone's taste is different).Read full review
This movie shamelessly steals the entire formula from the earlier (and much better done), "Officer and a Gentleman." Ashton Kutcher is no Richard Gere and was an incredibly poor fit for this part. His ability to come across as a charmer is flat and one dimensional (an actor saying his lines), his supposed arrogant "you will never tame me" attitude falls well short of mediocre. Kevin Costner is far too old to be playing a military man (even a senior chief)and his classic "strong silent type" performance in every movie he does is wearing very thin. Costner's performance is otherwise sleepy, boring and cannot hold a candle to Louis Gossett Jr.'s performance as the Drill Instructor (guy in charge role)in An Officer and a Gentleman. One of the things Hollywood will NEVER get, it seems, is to write parts for the military as they are. NO senior chief anywhere decides to up and change military rules and regulations to endanger the lives of military subordinates "because it will make em tougher." When senior officers become aware of such actions, the thing they NEVER do is say "carry on." What a bunch of bunk. The very idea is contrary to good older and military discipline. I thought I had seen the height of plagerism in stealing the Officer & Gentleman formula. That was until I actually saw SCENES stolen like the one of the hosing down of the arrogant boy wonder. That took the cake (again, watch Gossett and Gere to see a real performance in a believeable context). This total waste of money fantasy trip for Costner is just another example of why GOOD movies cannot get made today and YouTube and Sundance will take over the movie making business -- Hollywood keeps greenlighting crap like this.Read full review
Everything is excellent about this movie. The acting is superlative, the plot is real and the love story is precious and true to life. LOVE this movie!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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