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Popcorn Reviews
With Cybèle: Enemy of the People
By Cybèle Elaine Werts
CybeleW@aol.com
First published
in the Shelburne News, Shelburne Vermont
Popcorn rating (four possible): 3.5
Kernels, not for anything new in the territory of plot or car
chases, but for Will Smith lighting up the screen.
OK, add me to the legions of Will Smith fans.
Good looking, genuine, and smart, he is the star of the next
millennium. In an interview in Premiere magazine, he said
that this was a good time for black actors in Hollywood. Indeed,
had Enemy of the People cast Tom Cruise or Nicholas Cage,
well, I might not have bothered to go - which is exactly Will’s
point. Let’s face it, there are plenty of movies starring the
innocent guy blamed and chased and shot at, and plenty of white
star vehicles. Sure, this film has the requisite high tech
gadgetry, but it is precisely Will’s take on this role that
makes it more than just another guy movie. (the kind I usually
avoid). What made this movie irresistibly fun and funny was Will
Smith.
Will plays Robert Dean, a hotshot lawyer with
nice family, house, and life. He accidentally gets hold of a
videotape showing one badguy politico knocking off a goodguy
politico to prevent him from supporting a technology bill from
being passed in congress. This bill would allow the government
to mind my and your personal beeswax under the guise of
protecting us good citizens from the denizens of the underworld.
The good thing about this plot line is that there are lots of
cool intercut satellite shots tracking poor Dean as he goes from
the frying pan to the obligatory explosion scene. I love high
tech stuff and this film is tops in its appreciation for all
things nouveau. Not to mention neatly avoiding the dreck and
complete unbelievability of movies like The Net, Sandra Bullock’s
flop film a few years back which dealt with similar issues of
losing your identity to Big Brother (technology).
A particularly good date flick because both of
you can laugh throughout and never have to blush at goofy
romantic scenes.
Suggested gustatory accompaniment: Freeze
dried vanilla Ice Cream is the only high tech food I ever ate,
but hey, astronauts eat it too.
Copyright 2000
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