Denzel Washington's: The Siege (1998)

SiegeThe Siege was controversial already in 1998 when it was released: the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Council on American-Islamic Relations both protested strenuously and said the movie was offensive and discriminatory. After the 9/11-2001 terrorist attacks on the United States it can be seen that the movie was in some ways prescient: it practically predicted terrorist attacks on New York by Islamic fundamentalists, a fatal lack of cooperation between the FBI and the CIA, and the imposition of measures that reduced civil liberties for average Americans.

great movie

After seeing this movie again for about the 20th time, I finally decided to write a review. This movie is in my top 20 list of post-apocalyptic films (because I've also planned for a solar generator post-apocalypse :-). I love good suspense/mystery-thrillers if the plot is intelligent and the actors are great. I'd say this movie fits strongly in that last category.Since this movie was released almost 20 years ago, the other reason I'm writing the review is that hopefully, it catches the attention of people aged mid-teens to 30, who may have missed it first run. Those individuals who didn't even hit 18 before they had to contemplate a terrorist attack from a different culture, country - and in three places (counting the field in PA and Washington, DC) - have grown up in a country where they have had terrorism hung over their heads like Damocles' sword.This movie addresses that exact issue, presents a comparable scenario to 9/11, and shows the danger of isolating one group of people, profiling, waiving constitutional rights in the name of "keeping the US safe"...and how it falls to a few people to save us from degenerating into a police (military) state.Sadly, much of what the movie warned about has come to pass. In fact, only one thing hasn't yet- martial law; in its replacement, we have constitutional rights broken with being monitored ala 1984. The monitoring, however, extends to *every* citizen, while profiling continuous to be limited to citizens of Middle Eastern origin.The ongoing problems with the Middle East and the multiple US concerns about involvement, terrorism and security measures that have occurred in the 17 years after the release show this film's almost eerie prescience. The major actors in this film - Denzel Washington, Annette Benning, Tony Shalhoub, and Bruce Willis - are perfect in their roles.

Instant classic that kind of flew under the radar until 9/11. Denzel steals the show acting wise. The believabilty factor regarding the extent of an FBI ASACs involvement in a case is another story, but it is a movie afterall so I'll forgive this one. There were moments that jad me on yhe edge of my seat and moment where my heartstring were yanked and manipulated by the fast paced story. Denzel is the Deyonte Wilder of drama with an all knockout record to his name. Add this as a notch on his belt. The rest of the actors legitimately killed in their performances but Denzel over-shadowed them like darkness over a bright idea.

This has become 5 stars over the last 18 years as the questions it raised became real. The most surreal part---the occupation, within the United States, of neighborhoods with high concentrations of Moslems---is now very similar to the policies advocated by two 2016 Presidential candidates.When the movie first came out, some Arab civil rights groups attacked it as stereotyping Arabs and Moslems as terrorists. That was a serious misinterpretation of the movie, which is about fear and paranoia in a free society. There are terrorists who are bad guys, but even these are written as complex characters rather than comic book villains. It also has Tony Shalhoub in a rare dramatic role as an ethnic Arab FBI agent who shows heroism, disgust with terrorists, pride in his family, and ultimately anguish and anger over the detention of his 13-year-old son.We have not gone as far as the actions in this film, but despite this, the film is more optimistic than one that might be written today. There are some moments that are oddly charming as they reflect our pre-Sept 11th innocence. In the end, both FBI agents and the general public rise up against the un-American fear, anger, and authoritarianism. At this point in our history, we do not yet know if the American people will be as freedom-loving and compassionate as we are idealized in this picture.

This film was before it's time when it was released. The first time I saw it, I had a hard time understanding it. But as a society, we've learned a lot about terrorist cells, government agencies, etc. so it makes a lot more sense. Great performance by Denzel Washington and Tony Shalhoub (of Monk series). A lot of different insights from different points of view.

Many if not most of today's movies have great moments, things we recall and applaud. THE SEIGE, starting with Washington and Benning offers moments to hours of great viewing and thoughts to consider. Bruce Willis and Tony Shaloub and chacters down the food chain all contribute to something they seem to believe in.Whether it's the Government versus the People or America versus terrorists, issues are made evident and understood. Without any black and white edits; everyone has layers of good and bad. Production is sharp and consistent, professional and empathetic. This isa superior film in every respect. It's about today, here and now, something every thought film fan should see; I've re-seen it several times and enjyed, applauded and learn more with every go-around. Please see it, talk about it; America needs debate on ll its topics.