In order to save the United States from mass destruction, ATF agent Ethan Carter (Dean Cain) must go undercover and join the Brotherhood of Liberty, a subversive militia group determined to overthrow the United States government. headed by the passionate, radical right-wing talk show host, George Armstrong Montgomery (Stacy Keach), the Brotherhood plans to implement a "new world order" for Montgomery’s captive audience.
The militia has stolen three missiles whose warheads each contain enough anthrax to wipe out a city the size of Los Angeles. They are prepared to launch one of the missiles of the Air Force base where the President of the United States is giving a speech. The anthrax will kill everyone exposed within four days, enabling the Brotherhood to take over. Agent Carter must team with his old nemesis and former militia member, William Fain (Frederic Forrest), who Carter put behind bars three years ago.
The ATF recruits Fain in order to get Carter "inside" the militia. Carter, who thinks he killed Fain’s wife and son in the arrest three years prior, reluctantly agrees to work with Fain. Having just completed her ATF agent training program, Julie Sanders (Jennifer Beals) is assigned to protect Carter. Following a successful infiltration, Carter learns that Fain’s wife and son were not killed and have been placed in a witness protection program. Fain is cooperating in order to get his family back.
Having their suspicions confirmed, the militia takes Carter and Fain hostage after they are caught breaking into Montgomery’s headquaters. With the countdown already begun, Carter and Fain must rely on each other and Agent Sanders to destroy Montgomery and save the millions of lives in jeopardy.
Review:
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At the heart of this film there is an interesting premise—the idea that while we fight the enemies beyond our borders, we may, in fact, have more to fear from the enemies within. It also brings for examination the notion that while we often look at militia groups as "freaks", they may firmly believe that they are the defenders of our Constitution and that the government in its modern incarnation is the enemy.
Unfortunately, the movie does little to really play up the debate, falling back on creating a one-dimensional fanatic. There is never a moment where you sit back and really think about what Montgomery is saying. And even though you have a bit more sympathy for Fain, you are given very little to sympathize with throughout the movie. I honestly believe that is one of the movie’s biggest problems--zero character development. I know nothing about Ethan’s character other than that he is a good shot. The audience really gets nothing about what motivates any of the characters. Even when the acting was fine, it couldn’t overcome some serious lapses in writing.
The devices behind the plot were pretty far fetched. This is just a theory, but if someone actually fired that much anthrax at a city, alot more than Los Angeles would go down. But if you ever need to get into an abandoned missile silo, just tell the military that you are there to shoot a movie. And we better hope that it isn't that easy to get the NORAD launch codes.
Having said all of this—Dean did a good job with what he was given. He was the one character in the movie who the screening audience (buyers mostly) had positive reactions to. His character’s wry sense of humor was well-deserved and well-received. Not surprisingly, he handled the physical aspects well.
Speaking of physical aspects
A pleasant surprise was a cameo appearance by Brett Butler. The part was very small, but she’s always been so vocally supportive of Dean, so it was nice to see them do a scene together.
Bottom line? Dean is given top billing in this movie, and he’s not enough to get it beyond its problems. I’m hoping that this movie goes straight to video, and that his first endeavor to hit the public eye is actually Broken Hearts Club instead.
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