"S.W.A.T." was a by the numbers TV cop show from the 70s. It only lasted one season and its only claims to fame are that it had a young Robert Urich in its cast and had a really catchy theme song. The movie isn't much better than the show but it's not a total washout.
Jim Street (Colin Farrell) and his partner Gamble (Jeremy Renner) are part of SWAT and on a mission. Gamble ignores a direct order and a hostage is wounded. Gamble is fired from SWAT and Street is sent to cage duty. Six months later Lt. Dan "hondo" Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson) starts to head SWAT. He puts Street back on along with a few others (the only standout is LL Cool J) and they go into training. Then a vicious French killer (horribly played by Olivier Martinez) raises hell in L.A. and SWAT may have more than they can handle on their hands.
As you can see this is, plotwise, an hour-long TV cop show extended to 2 hours. Ever twist and turn was boringly predictable. And we have too loud rock songs played over all the action sequences along with ear-splitting gun shots. Also there's tons of casual violence but no blood and gore (maybe that's how it got by with a PG-13) and a surprising amount of swearing (thank you "NYPD Blue"). Still, the dialogue wasn't half bad; the action sequences were quick, loud and full of energy and everybody gives a good performance (especially Farrell and Jackson).
So, it's nothing new...but you could do worse. Not a film for small kids though.
Jim Street (Colin Farrell) and his partner Gamble (Jeremy Renner) are part of SWAT and on a mission. Gamble ignores a direct order and a hostage is wounded. Gamble is fired from SWAT and Street is sent to cage duty. Six months later Lt. Dan "hondo" Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson) starts to head SWAT. He puts Street back on along with a few others (the only standout is LL Cool J) and they go into training. Then a vicious French killer (horribly played by Olivier Martinez) raises hell in L.A. and SWAT may have more than they can handle on their hands.
As you can see this is, plotwise, an hour-long TV cop show extended to 2 hours. Ever twist and turn was boringly predictable. And we have too loud rock songs played over all the action sequences along with ear-splitting gun shots. Also there's tons of casual violence but no blood and gore (maybe that's how it got by with a PG-13) and a surprising amount of swearing (thank you "NYPD Blue"). Still, the dialogue wasn't half bad; the action sequences were quick, loud and full of energy and everybody gives a good performance (especially Farrell and Jackson).
So, it's nothing new...but you could do worse. Not a film for small kids though.