Spy Game **** (2001, Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack) – Classic Movie Review 693

The most heroic golden boys of their generations, Robert Redford and Brad Pitt, obviously enjoyed working together when they first teamed when Redford starred Pitt in his 1992 fly-fishing movie, A River Runs Through It. Because, here in 2001, with spy movies back in vogue with Austin Powers in Goldmember, xXx, The Bourne Identity and Die Another Day, the two pair up again as fellow actors for this fast-paced, exciting, riveting espionage thriller.

Briskly, thrillingly directed by British director Tony (Top Gun) Scott, the yarn centres on CIA boss Nathan Muir (Redford)’s attempts to rescue his former protégé Tom Bishop (Pitt) from execution in a Chinese jail.

The film, which unwinds in a series of flashbacks, rightly belongs to veteran star Redford. He sparkles as an old-timer on the verge of retirement, who enjoys his one last battle against the forces of authority as he fights the CIA chiefs to save Pitt’s lovely neck.

A fired-up Scott delivers some great action sequences along the way to the movie’s cheeky, satisfying, get-out-of-that-one climax.

‘Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his teacher.’ Did Leonardo Da Vinci really say that? Is it relevant? You’d just have to watch the movie.

(C) Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 693

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