Will Smith, Gene Hackman and the Tony Scott movie ‘Enemy of the State’

Looking for an action-packed movie with a sharp storyline with a star-studded cast led by director Tony Scott? The movie Enemy of the State (1998) offers much for you in these regards, plus is as much a Christmas movie as the movie Die Hard (1988) will ever be.

(From left, Will Smith as Robert Clayton Dean and Gene Hackman as Edward Lyle in the Tony Scott movie Enemy of the State).

Robert Clayton Dean and Edward Lyle, as portrayed by Will Smith and Gene Hackman respectively, are reluctantly pulled together in a bizarre string of events in Enemy of the State. The individual stories underpinning this pairing begins in advance of their awareness of one another when the ambition of Thomas Brian Reynolds, as portrayed by Jon Voight, sets something much bigger in motion.

(From left, Regina King as Carla Dean and Will Smith as Robert Clayton Dean in the Tony Scott movie Enemy of the State).

The familial life of Robert Clayton Dean is introduced with an introduction to Eric and Carla Dean, portrayed by Jascha Washington and Regina King, respectively. This occurs after learning that Robert is a lawyer in the crosshairs of Mob Boss Paulie Pintero, as portrayed by Tom Sizemore, and has been threatened.

(From left, Lisa Bonet as Rachel F. Banks and Will Smith as Robert Clayton Dean in the Tony Scott movie Enemy of the State).

When actions initiated by Thomas Bryan Reynolds get out of hand, Robert Clayton Dean is sucked into the suspense and action along with former college love interest Rachel F. Banks, as portrayed by Lisa Bonet. Neither were seeking a spotlight to their relationship, and the well written storyline ties together the backstory of these with an emotional punch.

(Prominently from left – Jon Voight as Thomas Brian Reynolds, Will Smith as Robert Clayton Dean and Tom Sizemore as Mob Boss Paulie Pintero in the Tony Scott movie Enemy of the State).

With keeping much of the David Marconi screenplay details held back for you to focus on watching the movie, let me be clear that the movie moves quickly and is an opportunity for clear action and suspenseful punch. The movie is consistent in storyline and built from a premise that, admittedly far-fetched in certain aspects, is based in motivations that are spot on and real life.

(From left, director Tony Scott and actor Will Smith on set of the Tony Scott movie Enemy of the State).

This reviewer for one enjoyed the experience of Enemy of the State. The initial premise is offered right off the bat. The action moves quickly and the pace of the movie is even, smart and kept me in my seat for the duration. For these reasons, I give Enemy of the State as directed by Tony Scott 4.00-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, March 13, 2021