Enemy of the State
User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30

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  1. G-RadA.
    Sep 6, 2007
    10
    Truly a Jerry Bruckheimer masterpiece.
  2. jp992751
    Jan 26, 2011
    9
    At times I felt like Smith was trying to be Denzel, but one I got past that Enemy of the State is one heck of a good thriller. I love Smith but am so used to seeing Denzel doing a Scott movie that it felt like this movie was more meant for him and had a hard time giving Will a chance. Yet I pushed forward and after about 10 minutes began to enjoy the comedic aspects that Smith brought to the screen (something Zel wouldn't have brought). The plot and the movie move along at a blistering pace but still allow for character growth which makes Enemy of the State a true classic in the thriller genre.… Expand
  3. raVen
    Aug 16, 2004
    8
    8 points added for good acting. 2 points subtracted for inspiring Ashcroft.
  4. JohnO.
    Jan 12, 2004
    7
    An interesting movie, but not very memorable. It's nice to see veterans like Jon Voight and Gene Hackman on the screen again, though.
  5. PatC.
    Jan 7, 2004
    5
    Watchable and forgettable. I sat mesmerized. What was it about?
  6. RickJ.G.
    May 18, 2003
    5
    A flick for the paranoid conspiracy crowd, no doubt. Actually, this movie was my first exposure to the NSA. The movie is a non-stop chase, and it never takes a time out to allow the viewer to get to know the characters. Too bad they couldn't think of a better way to end it than a predictable, lame brain shoutout scene. The ending detracts from the movie more than any other scene.
  7. JaredC.
    Aug 14, 2007
    0
    The violence is top notch, the language and dialogue is perfect, the story is great, but the engagement is nothing, I had a blank brain of interest for this film.
  8. RoryF.
    Dec 14, 2002
    10
    Really good, really clever and well made, a big hit.
  9. Andys_Reviews
    Aug 26, 2012
    8
    Quite an enthralling and captivating film. It does take a bit of time to get going but once it does it keeps the pace pretty well until the end. If I have one criticism, it
  10. Tokyochuchu
    May 21, 2012
    6
    Enemy of the State is a mostly harmless chase thriller with one or two great scenes (NSA goes Italian!). The movie is solid throughout but is ultimately unmemorable. Not the strongest of Tony Scott efforts but it's certainly worth watching at least once.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Lisa Alspector
    70
    The social criticism is as unforced as the humor (and the references to "The Conversation") in this 1998 conspiracy thriller, whose spirited action is balanced by an almost contemplative attitude toward surveillance phobias and the movie cliches they've spawned.
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  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Ron Wells
    50
    The strong parts are the rip-offs of "The Conversation." The worst part is the lack of understandable character motivations.
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  3. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    88
    The picture is solidly crafted, performed to the hilt and full of humor.
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