Genre: Action/Comedy
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez, Paul Dano, Maggie Grace, Marc Blucas
RunTime: 1 hr 50 mins
Released By: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG (Action Violence)
Official Website: http://www.knightanddaymovie.com/

Opening Day: 24 June 2010

Synopsis:

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz star in the action-comedy KNIGHT AND DAY.   During their glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure, nothing and no one – even the now fugitive couple – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust. 

Movie Review:

And here we have our next serving of 2010’s summer blockbuster platter.

Truth be told, we weren’t very impressed with the title of this James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line) directed movie. What’s up with the unoriginal word pun? The poster showcasing two silhouettes of superstars Tom Cruise (Valkyrie, Tropic Thunder) and Cameron Diaz (The Box, My Sister’s Keeper)? Frankly, we’ve seen better. The 110 minute thriller contains lots of action. Oh, it’s a comedy too. But since it’s the summer blockbuster season, and audiences are not required to be intellectual (in all senses of the word), we guess these markeing efforts were necessary. But what’s with the unexciting theatrical trailer which gives away, well, almost everything for the movie? The “been there done that” feeling didn’t bode well for the popcorn flick, especially with disposable movies like Andy Tennant’s The Bounty Hunter and Robert Luketic’s The Killers before this.

The script has the girl getting entangled a strange guy who is a secret agent. He has some kind of dark secrets that invite all kind of trouble, incvolving lots of guns, arms and explosives. As the unlikely duo tries to stay alive by travelling to different countries around the world, they realise they need each other to survive this adventure. Not very creative, we’d say.

It was with this perception that we stepped into the preview theatre, expecting a two hour yawn fest.

Fortunately for everyone involved in the production, it turned out to be more enjoyable than expected. One huge contributing factor is the main stars’ charm. Cruise and Diaz were mega stars (to some, they are still mega stars), and this movie clearly shows why old school star power still works. Things were going really well for the good looking Cruise until his recent sofa hopping antics on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. But in this movie, he effortlessly exudes the leading man appeal, running from continent to continent, looking extremely suave and dashing. He shows off his chiseled body every now and then by appearing topless. Girls, get ready to swoon. And Diaz complements this charisma with her ditzy persona. She may not be your typical damsel in distress, but the holds her own ground with that cuteness we last saw in McG’s Charlie Angels movies. The blue eyed blonde will leave an impression with viewers with her likeable performance in this movie. This results in a fun chemistry that has the two characters bantering with each other throughout the movie’s runtime.

Cruise is 48, and stands at 1.70 metres. Diaz is 38, and stands at 1.75 metres. But this is showbiz after all, so you won’t be noticing the age and ahem, the height difference as the pair wheezes through different picturesque locations in the movie.

So we have two personalities anchoring this movie. They are supported by capable actors like Peter Sarsgaard (An Education, Orphan), Viola Davis (Law Abiding Citizen, Doubt) and Paul Dano (Taking Woodstock, There Will Be Blood). One can’t help but feel that these acclaimed actors are underused in this loud and noisy flick. Expect car chases, explosions, plane crashes, gun fights, hand combats and all other obligatory mind numbing elements that make up a summer blockbuster.

Which also means, you shouldn’t be too concerned about the formulaic plot. It brings you through the predictable story developments, through a series of mildly funny dialogues. The character caricatures are also nothing to shout about. But we are guessing this isn’t of utmost importance to the filmmakers, who just want to make a breezy action comedy thriller to please the masses.

But we are not complaining, because we have seen worse from other run of the mill movies that put us to sleep. At least the filmamkers managed to keep adrenaline rush going throughout this enjoyable flick, so that you’d wish you were there globe trotting with the good looking stars.

Movie Rating:

(Sit back, relax and enjoy a fun ride with the good looking cast. And don’t forget the popcorn)

Review by John Li