Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media and Original Film Productions present a PG-13 rated, 90 minute dramatic action thriller directed by Pete Travis and starring Dennis Quaid (Thomas Barnes), Matthew Fox (Kent Taylor), Forest Whitaker (Howard Lewis), William Hurt (President Ashton), Eduardo Noriega (Enrique) with Edgar Ramirez (Javier), Said Taghmaoui (Suarez), Ayelet Zurer (Veronica), Zoe Saldana (Angie Jones), Sigourney Weaver (Rex Brooks), James LeGros (Ted Heinkin), Richard T. Jones (Holden), Holt McCallany (Ron Matthews) Alicia Zapien (Anna) Jose Carlos Rodriguez (Mayor De Soto) and Leonardo Nam (Kevin Cross).
The world comes together in Salamanca Spain for the anti terrorist summit with the President of the United States, President Ashton, front and center. Attended by thousands, many pro and anti-American, watched by millions thanks to national news source, GNN, directed by Rex Brooks with reporter, Angie Jones, along with several cameramen, at 12:00:05 the truth starts to unfold. The President takes the podium under the protection of his secret service men, Thomas Barnes, who once before took a bullet for him, Kent Taylor, Thomas's friend and right hand man, along with a number of others out to protect and serve our leader.
But not all things seem as they appear to the human eye. The story unravels through the viewpoints and reactions of several characters attending the summit whether politically, civilian or terrorist. Many strangers with many points of view all come together to reveal one truth. First, two shots are fired and the President goes down, than an explosion in the distance leading up to a massive explosion at the summit grounds. The film flashes back several times and focuses on several of the main characters brilliantly showing the events unfolding from their perspective, all leading up to one final outcome.
"This never should have happened", exclaims Barnes as he struggles to find the shooter and reveal the terrorist responsible for this horrific act of violence. When he uses the GNN remote truck to rewind the footage of the summit he discovers a broken trust that leads him on one of the best car chase scenes to hit the big screen in quite awhile. Like deja-vu, the story cuts back and forth revealing more details as it unfolds from several people involved right down to a young girl, Anna, who becomes the tie that leads to a climatic end.
Amazing writing, directing and photography in this film that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Some may not like the flashbacks to the meaning of the clock but it plays an intricate role in unraveling the story from many points of view. Howard Lewis, the family man, there on vacation, filming the summit with his home camcorder, which becomes an entity of its own. Anna, who bumps into Howard with her ice cream, creating a bond from that moment until the end. Enrique, a local policeman, there to protect the Mayor. Several pedestrians on the scene that later are revealed as key players in an attempt to assassinate the President of the United States. Like a great book that contains many chapters, all leading up to a phenomenal ending, this film is sure to entertain along with inform everyone about the way of the world as it stands in this day and age. Many double lives, many set ups all tying up the loose ends creating a must see film filled with an array of great actors, magnificent editing and a superb story with an abundance of twists and turns.
Can the American public conceive a world where they are truly not a step ahead? Our world consists of many cultures, many religions , many opinions which sometimes lead to many deaths. In the case of some religions, an act of terrorism is their way of making their beliefs heard and their people proud. Overall, we cannot stop the world and the war within its limits will never end which ultimately gives the words, "I'm coming home", a whole new meaning.
I truly loved this film which was the perfect length filled with a wonderful cast of characters that should bring it rave reviews and a box office bundle. Even though it has a few weak lines laced within its story, in the end this film focuses on the scary fact that the world is not and will not ever be safe again unless we all are able to put an end to the terror that lurks in the shadows of our everyday lives.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.