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Behind Enemy Lines
User Score
6.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 8 out of 39

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  1. MichaelC.
    Apr 8, 2002
    6
    Behind Enemy Lines was a movie I went to see purely because nothing else was on. I?d seen almost every movie that was playing and even though I really didn?t want to, I went along to see Behind Enemy Lines. There were a lot of reasons I expected to highly dislike this film. I thought it would be just a bunch of mindless excuses for explosions with bad performances (mostly because I don?t like Owen Wilson very much) and a way over-long running time. But to my utter surprise, I enjoyed almost every moment of this thrill ride. The main reason Behind Enemy Lines works with its story-line is because it runs two stories at the same time and keeps us enthralled through both of them. The movie has a tendency to leave us in the Owen Wilson-getting-chased-by-baddies? most exciting scenes and change over to the less adrenaline charged but still interesting Gene Hackman-chasing-down-Owen-Wilson?s-whereabouts? story. This leaves us hanging on the edge of our seats for more action and gives the movie way more intrigue. The other thing that gives Behind Enemy Lines a kick in the right direction is the stylistic camera-work in the film. We get all kinds of different shots for all kinds of different action sequences. The hand-held camera work is very effective and makes the movie seem more war-like. The cinematography is neat in the way it can show endless styles to shoot scenes within the first hour but find plenty more to finish off the movie. It really shows how cinematography and shooting styles are advancing to new levels these days. Of course, there is nothing more I enjoyed this movie for more than its entertainment value and action sequences. The action scenes are breathtaking and sometimes a little far-fetched but they are amazingly stylish and work into the movies plot in many ways. I especially enjoyed the first major action sequence in which Owen Wilson and a flight buddy dodge, dive and ditch the missiles that the baddies?, the Somalians, are sending from the ground. This action sequence is fabulously original and uses a lot of visual and special techniques to get the overall result of one of the tensest scenes of 2001. Unfortunately, the movie does have its problems. If you?re looking for a movie with 3 dimensional characters, a plausible story and a lot of believable scenes that come from the heart, then I don?t recommend this movie. The barely 1 dimensional ?heroic? characters (especially Wilson?s character) aren?t likeable at the start. Um, Owen, are you completely blind or just stupid? He has just had his plane blown up, fallen through trees, and landed on unknown territory which contains some very dangerous people who were trying to kill him and his fly buddy about 5 minutes ago, and Wilson?s character is able to crack smiles and make a joke? Small Spoiler - There is also a scene at the end where Wilson is running through an open field getting shot at big time and he dodges every single bullet and doesn?t get shot once. This movie needs lessons in being more plausible, because this movie got a right kick in the pants for that one scene. The end of the movie did explain what happened in writing to the main characters, but ? spoilers here ? what happened the guy Wilson was running with who liked rap and hip-hop music? We don?t ever find out what happened to him, and I thought I heard Wilson?s character say he?d come back for him or something along those lines. On the subject of lines and quotes, beware for the cheese that comes out of Gene Hackman?s mouth in this film. The lines are not atrocious, but they aren?t believable or easy to take seriously either. This is one big package with the title ACTION BLOCKBUSTER stamped all over it. I guess you know what that means these days, in short: lots of adventure, lots of fun, but reasonably dumb. My rating for Behind Enemy Lines is B- or 6.5/10.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ZachB.
    Jun 9, 2002
    6
    An excellent summer movie. Sure, it's unrealistic (Our protaganist is fired upon 8000 times and gets hit once), but very entertaining. Leave logic behind and make some popcorn.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. BobP.
    May 20, 2005
    8
    Pretty much a bonehead action movie, but entertaining nonetheless.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. Boris
    Feb 26, 2002
    10
    This movie rocked.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. KonradR.
    May 9, 2002
    0
    If you're not an American, which I am not, your hardly likely to enjoy this movie. It reeks of "How-America-Does-It-Again" patriotism.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. Jeremy
    Oct 16, 2003
    3
    A mismash of incomprhensible direction, a huge miscast in Owen Wilson, a few good moments by Hackman, and every war cliche you can think of times three.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. Heather
    Mar 18, 2007
    10
    fantastic film, one i could watch over and over again
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. DK
    Aug 9, 2007
    8
    Some great action sequences and two strong central performances make this a superior blockbuster. John Moores direction is perfectly suited for this sort of fair and the critical reaction of 49 really is a bit shocking.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. DavidK.
    Dec 18, 2001
    10
    It's great.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. PetarH.
    Dec 28, 2001
    8
    Very coool movie but no chicks.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. MichaelF.
    Dec 3, 2001
    2
    Boy did this movie suck. I bet you that there is absolutely nothing about about this film that is good except for the tone in which the film was shot was pretty nice. Jim and John Thomas, responsible for "Wild Wild West" and other horrible films such as those. Owen stank, but it was probably just my anger talking. Hackman was Hackman. The film was overly stylized and a half!!! This director really sucks. Don't See This Movie!!!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. DonnyB.
    Dec 4, 2001
    6
    Fun, but unrealistic.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. Graph
    Apr 28, 2002
    10
    Movie is Great! Never boring...sometimes unrealistic, but will keep you in your seat til it ends. Go watch it on DVD... those who didn't like this movie are pussies who would rather watch "Crossroads".
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. Sam
    Oct 16, 2005
    9
    It has great effects and performances, but without Mr. Wilson and Hackman, it just wouldn't have been as good.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. MaxH.
    Feb 22, 2005
    10
    This is a great movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. JaredC.
    Aug 16, 2007
    7
    Finally a follow-up to Saving Private Ryan, its a war movie that doesn't have the guts, it has actual American-can-do spirit in it. It may be a very short movie dissapointingly but it is crafted in a way Saving Private Ryan wasn't.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. JinC.
    Dec 16, 2001
    3
    I rate the movie as high as I do because it is so bad as to be humorous at times. Remarkably, notably, mind bogglingly bad. There is absolutely no sense of authenticity throughout the entire production - either in the acting (due primarily to the writing) or the military details (same). Exposition is handled in the most blatant and awkward manner imaginable. Cinematography and editing is just bizarre and epileptic. I've said it before and i'll say it again - an hour and a half long film does not - NOT - share the same aesthetic as a commercial or music video. And strangely, there seem to be several embedded ads: 1) when you've been hunted through some wartorn eastern bloc country, nothing satisfies like Coke. Coke, america's drink. 2) when you've got to regulate and get Soviet on someone's butt, nothing will provide a smoother ride doing it than mitsubishi montero. 3) when you've absolutely, positively gotta kill a downed american pilot, wear adidas jogging suits. If you have to see it, catch a matinee. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. Brett
    Apr 29, 2002
    7
    Owen Wilson saves it from being just a bonehead action movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. DanB.
    May 26, 2002
    7
    Roger Ebert hasn't got a clue. Don't listen to him. This film is a rally cry for patritoism for sure, but the story is solid and the action footage is first-rate, including state-of-the-art digital enhancement. Don't pass it up.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  20. JohnC.
    Jul 14, 2002
    8
    Any movie put down by the left wing media is worth watching and this one is no exception. A great view for sure!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
49 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29
  1. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jessica Winter
    50
    Though Wilson gives a customarily sympathetic, engaged, and unpredictable performance, his work is drowned out by pyrotechnics and orchestral paroxysms of patriotism.
    Read full review
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    50
    There's nothing very rockin' about seeing Gene Hackman give a rare indifferent performance as a Navy admiral trying to effect a rescue for which his hands are tied.
    Read full review
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    60
    An unembarrassed, high-octane demonstration of the virtues of a U.S. military with a mission, the latest war pic from 20th Century Fox -- a studio with a proud tradition in this field -- couldn't be better timed to fit the popular mood.
    Read full review
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