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The Sentinel. Some are calling it 24 for the big screen in reference to Kiefer Sutherland and the whole Secret Service, Presidential assassination
thing. Having never seen one episode of 24, I know I know, but I do ha e a life; I was able to go in and view this as just another crime drama thriller flick. I did not have to think, “Why is Jack Bauer doing that?” It was just another role. I think that helped. A little.

When a fellow agent is shot and killed, Secret Service Special Agent Pete Garrison (Michael Douglas) is accused of being involved in an attempt to assassinate the President he is sworn to protect. To prove his innocence he must now uncover the truth by finding the real mole in the secret service. Never in 141 years has there been a traitor in their ranks. But it seems that way now. So Pete “MacGyver” Garrison must stay one step ahead of agent Breckinridge (Sutherland), his one time protégé now turned enemy and pursuer. Breckinridge is a facts man and all the facts point to Garrison. The one person on Pete’s side, in more ways than one, is the First Lady (Kim Basinger). That’s Hollywood for you. Let’s see. Hillary Clinton, Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush. Yeah, Kim Basinger fits perfectly.

This movie had amazing potential. Every now and then you need a good secret service film. There is something cool about these protectors of the commander in chief. They are all so clean and robotic. They wear black suits and sunglasses and drive black cars with black tinted windows. The terminator could have been in the secret service. Plus it is an interesting plot twist to have them working from the inside. Not sure how true to life this was but it was interesting seeing their involvement in the everyday lives of the First Family.

Sadly it is obvious there is a mole involved because of all the holes in the plot. There is the back story between Garrison and Breckinridge that is
supposed to explain the animosity but they never give you enough facts to know what did actually happen. Some of the side character scenes are inserted almost as after thoughts. You find yourself assuming who these people are because it is not totally clear.

The other issue with this movie is the believability. Granted it is fiction and sometimes you want to just enjoy the ride. And I really wanted to. I am aware that secret service agents have to be highly trained individuals. They are more than just a bullet shield with legs. But come on. Can one really do everything this movie allows them to on $50 worth of stuff from Radio Shack? If that is the case then I now know why Radio Shack exists. It is a front to help all the special agents in their time of need. I can see two agents on assignment thinking, “We need to find this guy fast. We are in the middle of nowhere with only a telephone pole and a paperclip. Good thing we stopped at Radio Shack and picked up our Realistic phone and transistor clips, we can now save the world." Add to that the convenience of everything falling in place just when it needs to and I start to roll my eyes more than I want.

I am probably being a little too hard on this movie. I did enjoy it for the most part. It had excitement and I was on the edge of my seat for most of
it. But it’s like the suspense was there yet the writers weren’t sure how to close the deal. I did walk out pretending I was in the secret service
though. I think it is a guy thing. I watched everyone a little closer and sped off in my brown SUV pretending it was black and I was off to camp
David. Then I hit a pothole. Just like this movie did. I give it 3 out of 5. Rated PG-13 for some intense action violence and a scene of sensuality, you should be safe with most family members who are into this genre. With a look at The Sentinel, I’m Matt Mungle

The Mungle  4/20/2006

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com