The Siege (1998)

“The CIA didn’t know the Berlin Wall was coming down until bricks started hitting them in the head. ” – General William Devereaux

Number of Times Seen – at least 3 times (Theater in ’98, 1 Oct 2003 and 18 Mar 2018)

Brief Synopsis – Following a number of terrorist attacks in the heart of New York City an FBI task force teams up with other government agencies to try and find a solution to the growing threat.

My Take on it – This is a film that I recall seeing in the theater when it came out in ’98 and thoroughly enjoyed it because it felt so realistic.

Unfortunately, even after twenty years, the story line remains poignant and realistic and could be seen as being relevant to the way that people act and react to the threats of terror and fear across the globe.

This film would never have been made after the attacks on 9/11, but thankfully was made just three years before that fateful day.

They are able to ask so many really interesting and relevant questions about how to fight the fight against terrorism that are still unanswered to this day.

I’m not the biggest fan of Denzel Washington and in this film, he plays his usual cocky self.

The best performance here is actually by Annette Bening who usually doesn’t play these kind of role. She stands out here because her character works so well within the thrilling storyline.

The story itself is extremely gripping and thrilling and it’s a bit ironic that it takes place in the same city that would encounter the deadliest attack on US soil in history just a few years later.

There are lots of shots of the New York cityscape and I constantly felt goosebumps every time that they panned across and showed the “Towers”.

Bottom Line – Extremely poignant film that would never have been made after 9/11.  It asks so many interesting questions about the fight against terrorism that are still relevant today. Washington plays his usual self in this film but Bening really stands out here because she usually doesn’t play these kind of characters and in this case does it amazingly.  Very thrilling tale that ironically takes place in the same place as the deadliest terror attack on US soil just 3 years later. I got goosebumps whenever they focused on the “Towers” when they panned over the cityscape. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – According to an interview that screenwriter Lawrence Wright gave to CBS in 2007, the film was a box-office failure upon its theatrical release, “but it was the most-rented movie in America after 9/11.” Wright also claimed that the initial release bombed because “Muslim and Arab protesters picketed the theaters. They were furious at being stereotyped as terrorists.” (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy (8/10)

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