Click to read the article
Enemy of the State (1998)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:81
Fresh:57
Rotten:24
Average Rating:6.4/10
Consensus: Will Smith gives a charismatic performance in this fast-paced thriller.
Runtime: 2 hrs 12 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: Robert Dean (Will Smith) is a labor lawyer who is unknowingly in possession of evidence related to a serious politically motivated crime. Government agents eager to hide their guilt believe that... Robert Dean (Will Smith) is a labor lawyer who is unknowingly in possession of evidence related to a serious politically motivated crime. Government agents eager to hide their guilt believe that Dean is on to them, and proceed to turn his life upside-down, ruin his reputation, and frame him for various incidents, thanks to the latest in high-tech government surveillance techniques. In an attempt to clear his name and reclaim his life, Dean teams up with the reclusive Brill (Gene Hackman), a former federal employee who has as much high-tech equipment and expertise as the government itself. Hackman's role is an extension of Harry Caul, the character he portrayed in Francis Ford Coppola's brilliant 1974 film, THE CONVERSATION. Smith scores as a man who is desperate to reclaim his identity and prove his innocence. This intense technological thrill-ride from director Tony Scott questions how much access the government should have to the communications of private citizens, and leaves the viewer with the unsettling feeling that Big Brother is definitely watching. Watch for the uncredited appearances of Jason Robards, Seth Green, Tom Sizemore, and Philip Baker Hall. [More]
Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King
Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Lisa Bonet, Loren Dean, Jake Busey, Scott Caan, Jason Lee, Barry Pepper, Jack Black, Jamie Kennedy, Gabriel Byrne, Grant Heslov
Director: Tony Scott
Director: Tony Scott
Screenwriter: David Marconi
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Composer: Trevor Rabin, Harry Gregson-Williams
Get This Movie
Reviews for Enemy of the State
Since Scott could not make this film snap, crackle or pop faster or more loudly, you might find the evening a bit light.
Add Smith's lippy innocent and a host of subcontracted indie fresh faces, and you have the Bruckheimer formula: loud, lavish, seemingly efficient; over-large, over-long, over-plotted. Safe and sorry.
A truly substantial looker for the holidays, it's that rare Bruckheimer project in which style is matched by content.
Points gained for action and suspense, points lost for unoriginal premise and tired cliches.
High production values and Gene Hackman are the only things that stand out in this run-of-the-mill Hollywood paranoia thriller. The unimaginative plot consists mostly of Will Smith being chased around by government agents.
Scott loads on equipment displays, speed-drill editing and the convulsive shocks that can relieve his dead feeling for characters.
When a movie's trailer is more entertaining than the movie, due to its increased lucidity and more relaxed pace, that should be enough to tip off any filmmaker that he's on the wrong track.
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.
Five times better than Bruckheimer's previous embarrassment, Armageddon. Of course, that isn't to say that it's actually good. It's just saying that it isn't terrible.
A thriller that didn't thrill me, with heroes I didn't care about, villains I didn't believe and a plot I could not follow.
the latest flashy, sterile package to come off producer Jerry Bruckheimer's assembly line
This lethargic paranoid thriller is one film that actually could have benefitted from the trademark Bruckheimer bombast.
As with a delicious gallon of Grade-A milk, it's sad to see a good movie turn sour.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, you're being watched as you read this.
Watching this movie is like being wired to a TV set on permanent channel-surf mode!
Latest News for Enemy of the State
July 02, 2008:
Total Recall: RT Celebrates the Bill of Rights
We the people of Rotten Tomatoes, in order to make this Independence Day more perfect, do ordain and establish this Total Recall as a cinematic tribute to the Bill of Rights. More...
April 04, 2007:
Will Smith is the New King of Hollywood
A few years back the heaviest Hollywood hitters (actor-wise) were Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, and Mel Gibson. Nowadays it's guys called Ben Stiller and Johnny Depp -- both of whom... More...
October 13, 2005:
Critical Consensus: "Domino" Topples, "Elizabethtown" Disappoints
This week, the wide releases regale us with tales of beautiful bounty hunters ("Domino"), existential romance ("Elizabethtown"), and masses of deadly... More...
March 29, 2005:
New Trailer Divulges New Line's "Domino" Theory
How do you feel about Keira Knightley ("Pirates of the Caribbean," "King Arthur")? How about director Tony Scott ("Enemy of the State," "True... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Enemy of the State at Rotten Tomatoes
- Enemy of the State at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



