A brave film with good performances let down by weak editing that allows it to dissipate its dramatic impact midway through.

Disappointing. Isn't as insightful as Traffic or as compelling as Syriana or as entertaining as Blood Diamond. Steals elements from each of these films. If you want a powerful movie experience spend your money on the DVD of Traffic or Syriana. If you want a great movie that tackles terrorism and moralism with any kind of depth see The Siege. From a dragging beginning to an absurd "duh" ending this film doesn't add anything to American's understanding of Islam, terrorism, or morality.… Expand

The film is much better than the critics "score"would have you believe. It really had me guessing until - well, almost the end. This is not an action film, more a psychological type thriller. I quite enjoyed it. Certainly more than the critic score would have yo believe.

I can't believe this movie isn't getting better reviews from the so called professional critics. They will probably rate bangcock nights higher. This might be the best movie in it's respective genre I have ever seen.

Great film - as an Arabic student, it gave an accurate portrayal of what Yemen culture and prison life would have been like. Plus, Don Cheadle is amazing in this role - he encompasses it perfectly.

It's difficult to explain what Traitor is like. It isn't perfect, and it isn't bad, nor all right. This is probably Don Cheadle's best movie since Hotel Rwanda. That's really the only truth about this film that's simple to describe. But other than that, the truth is complicated.

To accrue more cred as a practicing Islamic extremist, Samir Horn(Don Cheadle) impresses the Muslim affiliates of his terrorist cell, by coordinating the detonation of an American consulate. Eight people die in the blast, a number that's horrific, to be sure, but not catastrophic enough to affect vicissitude in the U.S. Special Operation officer's license for fighting the jihadists. Keeping the collateral damage at a minimum is a plot contrivance which allows "Traitor" to remain a pop entertainment that makes geopolitics digestible for everybody's comfort. If the number of casualties approached the upper reaches of, say, a hundred, sticking to the "Donnie Brasco" formula would become more problematic, if not, impossible. A blurring between both factions of Islamic faith already exists when Samir triggers that remote on the Nice building. By default, his actions turn him into a double agent. Samir is actually caught in no man's land, but "Traitor" can't risk political incorrectness by implying that all Muslims are terrorists. Since the terrorist act is deemed a necessary evil when it's performed in the name of vigilantism, Samir isn't a terrorist, because American lives weigh more than Muslim ones.… Expand

Clearly Don Cheadle is money in the bank. Cast him, and your movie is automatically ahead of the curve. Jeff Daniels has quietly become that same kind of actor in supporting roles and ensembles. So it makes sense that all of the best scenes in this movie happen when they're both on the screen. In many places, the "message" lines seem forced and awkward. But the story is always put back on track, and the movie is most "on message" when it returns to the Cheadle/Daniels interplay. Best line in the movie: "You know who you sound like, right?" This binds the clashing powers together by their rhetoric, and says gracefully what other parts of the movie say fitfully.… Expand

Very good movie. In lieu of his prior work in Hotel Rwanda, Cheadle has already established himself as a top-notch actor, but elements of his performance in Traitor were truly impressive. His language capabilities were excellent as he flawlessly transitioned between dialects. Unlike other espionage flicks, Cheadle's character of Samir is not indestructible; rather he's highly adept in combat and other fields akin to the special forces, but nonetheless makes his mistakes and loses some battles. The vulnerability and intensity of Samir in both his personality and religiosity were superb, he came off as a human going through this test of spirit rather than an agent robotically decimating a terrorist organization from within. Universal morality is the crux of this film and I believe the intense focus on the cultural exchange and interaction between the peoples and faiths is the strength of this film. These guys did their homework, no doubt, but as many have said this isn't a perfect movie. Definitely worth the price of admission.… Expand

Great Movie. Don Cheadle was very believable in his role, and I was genuinely surprised at the plot twists throughout the movie. One of the aspects of the movie that I really enjoyed was the music. It was phenomenal and I immediately came home and downloaded the soundtrack. I think it was just an all around well produced, well acted, and well executed film. One of the few movies that was worth my money so far this year.… Expand

The ending may be far-fetched, but I found the movie quite entertaining and the 2 leads, Cheadle & Pearce, very solid indeed. This movie would probably be a blockbuster if it starred Will Smith & Tom Cruise instead, although I can't believe they could do it any better. Go see it; I'll bet you'll enjoy the world of terrorism and the parts of the world you get to see.

Edge of the seat action. Don Cheadle is superb. Felt like I was watching a reality show.

Very different and somewhat refreshing to have Islam show up as its true self in Samir. Excellent performances, excellent sound track. I would highly recommend and was also surprised to read the "professional" point of view!

Very good movie with similar suspense. plot is unwrapped flawlessly. keeps you hooked to the movie.

A taut thriller that pulls you along and keeps you guessing. Kudos to Steve Martin and Don Cheadle for a movie well done.

This is not hollywood formula crap. real writing. great movie. every year we get one two very well movies to see. i really do not understand the critics on this one. this is just a great movie.

Cool thriller...Cheadle is great...I loved it.

This is one of the very few Hollyweird films that takes Islamic terrorism seriously. I was really surprised by this. Much better than The Kingdom which suggested at the end of the movie that we are all terrorists...?!? Go see this movie. Lots of fun twists and turns. It's not really an action movie - it much more cerebral.

Forgettable - not a must watch - I'm sure the Jihad portrait is the reason the critics lashed out at the film and I'm not comfortable with it either.