Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 164
Fresh: 71 | Rotten: 93
This polished thriller is engaging until it takes one twist too many into the predictable.
Average Rating: 5.6/10
Critic Reviews: 35
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 19
This polished thriller is engaging until it takes one twist too many into the predictable.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 103,456
A brilliant young man is tapped to join the elite branch of American intelligence, only to discover how complex and dangerous the job can really be in this suspense-drama. James Clayton (Colin Farrell) recently completed his studies at MIT, where he graduated at the top of his class and is pondering his next move while he works as a bartender at an upscale nightspot. One evening, Clayton is approached by Walter Burke (Al Pacino), a recruiter for the Central Intelligence Agency, who describes
PG-13, 1 hr. 55 min.
Jan 31, 2003 Wide
May 27, 2003
$52.7M
Touchstone Pictures
All Critics (177) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (97) | DVD (32)
Here I suspected the ultimate villain almost from the very beginning -- and, if I wasn't fooled, I can't imagine anyone else will be, either.
The Recruit weighs in like a porous brick of recycled polypropylene.
I liked all those set pieces where they set up these elaborate schemes, and you're not sure who the good guy is, and the bad guy.
A conjurer's trick that delights for about an hour, then spirals into idiocy.
A compelling, if throwaway, drama.
It's nothing but style and noise, threadbare of content, empty of ideas.
Above-average thriller, but not very memorable.
The bright spots are Pacino and Farrell, who make us forget that they're Pacino and Farrell, at least for the span of 115 good but not great minutes.
Watchable only for its star power and scarce caffeine kicks...awfully predictable. [Blu-Ray]
Many would believe Pacino could do no wrong but he has. The Recruit serves only to ignite a pilot light in the imagination of espionage lovers everywhere.
The film still makes a diverting entertainment in spite of its obviousness.
Pacino's puppet-stringing of his recruit is reminiscent of Peter O'Toole's manipulative character in 1980's 'The Stunt Man.'
Director Roger Donaldson ... again shows a knack for creating intrigue and paranoia.
Pacino doesn't upstage Farrell, but there's the sense he's daring him to keep up, and Farrell does. Their scenes together crackle.
Interessante até o terceiro ato, quando se perde em 'reviravoltas' completamente previsíveis.
A standard-issue spy game with all the layered complexity of Ludo.
Chris Owens: You're onscreen for about half a minute of The Recruit, but that half a minute was the most enjoyable experience I had all evening.
The Recruit is a film that showcases an interesting idea, but simply doesn't quite get there. It's a great shame because this film could have been something great, unfortunately it falls flat after 45 minutes in, and the plot seems to stop dead in its tracks. The recruit could have been a good film, but instead it just
February 3, 2012
Super Reviewer
'The Recruit' is a nasty little thriller whose twists and turns keep you guessing until the end, even if its obvious who the real antagonist is. The plot is a bit contrived and the performances aren't spectacular, but the movie delivers cool, swift entertainment. It's not incredibly well-made, but much more enjoyable
July 13, 2011Super Reviewer
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