X
- 1998
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 2 h 12 m
- 1998
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 2 h 12 m
Summary A successful lawyer finds himself the target of a treacherous NSA official and his goons after receiving evidence about a politically motivated murder.
Directed By: Tony Scott
Written By: David Marconi
- 1998
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 2 h 12 m
- 1998
- R
- Buena Vista Pictures
- 2 h 12 m
Enemy of the State
67
8.1
Where to Watch
Summary A successful lawyer finds himself the target of a treacherous NSA official and his goons after receiving evidence about a politically motivated murder.
Directed By: Tony Scott
Written By: David Marconi
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
67
68% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
32% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
67
68% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
32% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
An enormously entertaining visit to planet paranoia, but its escapist pleasures titillate only in direct proportion to the degree of persecution complex that you bring into the theater with you.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 185 User Ratings
8.1
83% Positive
154 Ratings
154 Ratings
11% Mixed
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
5% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 185 User Ratings
8.1
83% Positive
154 Ratings
154 Ratings
11% Mixed
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
5% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
If there is one of Tony Scott's films I would 10 star, this is it. Of course his repertoire is stellar. Enemy of the State is perhaps one of the most divulging films of the secretive spying State to have hit our consciousness. Yet 16 years later we seem as a whole to care less about their intrusion into our lives as we did then in our ignorance.
Of course Snowden revealed so much of what Scott divulges in this mega paced, brilliant masterpiece. It is thus easy to understand his so called suicide during the making of another expose film might just have been taken from this film's storyline.
Today we are beset with even greater evils as they crawl out from under the shadows, however I recommend this film to everyone as it never loses its shine no matter how many times one watches it. To students of the game, it is essential viewing.
God rest your beautiful soul Tony and may your delivery of truths behind the veil at least help waken up generations to their self made prisons and release the desire left to us at the end of this film. We need it more than ever...
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Runaway films have been mesmerizing movie goers for years, but this film right here is the king of all runaway films. This is, by far, Tony Scott's best film. It is an action thriller that grabs and holds your gut from beginning to end and never lets go.
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In too much of a hurry to be much of a people picture. And the standoff at the end edges perilously close to the ridiculous, for a movie that's tried so hard to be plausible.
This paranoid thriller has all the failings we expect...but Enemy of the State also has enough wit, talent and narrative thrust to mostly transcend those flaws, at least until that ludicrous finish.
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.
The movie has plenty of high-tech power, spinning out action so explosive you'll hardly notice how preposterous the story is or how cardboard-thin the characters are.
The strong parts are the rip-offs of "The Conversation." The worst part is the lack of understandable character motivations.
Looking back, movies - especially action/thriller - were outstanding good. Non stop excitement and a believably story.
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At times I felt like Smith was trying to be Denzel, but one I got past that Enemy of the State is one heck **** 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.
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look at that ball..
Enemy Of The State
The vulnerability and the intense drama sequences are score on high pitches that speaks to the audience where even its amazing background score too factors in. David Marconi's screenplay is the real gem that bridges between the fiction and practicality in here. The execution by the director Tony Scott fails to justify the script where neither d.o.p. nor editing works on its favor. Will Smith is genuinely good in his portrayal and is supported with a great cast like Jon Voight and Gene Hackman. Enemy Of The State lacks a fresh concept or perspective, but the gripping screenplay and stellar performance is enough to hold the audience for its more than 2 hours of runtime.
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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.
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Awards
Online Film & Television Association
• 4 Nominations
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 3 Nominations
