"S.W.A.T"
YOU WOULD think that any film which opens with a bank robbery and action heroes as cops has to be a bit clichéd? Well it is — but is redeemed largely by its emphasis on stylised action over intelligent story, inherent light-heartedness over grim reality of crime in LA, adrenalin rush over logical explanations. And for the two hours or so you don't really get bored with all this boys club bonding at the LAPD's (Los Angeles Police Department) Special Force, S.W.A.T— Special Weapons And Tactics.
Columbia Pictures' "S.W.A.T" is predictable, but fun especially when it abounds in macho men with soft hearts running heroically all over crime scenes. An adaptation of a TV serial, "S.W.A.T", now stretched on the big screen by director Clark Johnson, is an attempt to show the vigour and excellence of the special force in the cop fraternity — and the honour that goes with it. The film starts when gun-toting guys are holding some bank employees hostage — and even as the robbers are shot down, partners Gamble (Jeremy Renner) and Jim Street (Collin Farrell) are in the doghouse for acting on their own and not obeying orders. Refusing to accept a demotion, Gamble quits while Street accepts it hoping to reinstate himself at a later point.
Street is now working in a department that is dull. Then comes veteran S.W.A.T officer Dan Hondo Harrelson (Samuel Jackson) who has been asked to put together a team of men as a special task force. Street after proving himself finds himself in the team along with two current S.W.A.T officers (Brian Van Holt and Josh Charles), an ex-cop (James Todd) and a female cop (Michelle Rodriquez). What follows is a tough training regimen, which makes them a formidable team. The action is focused on the training till the police commissioner discovers that an international crook, Alex Montel, (Olivier Martinez) is in his custody.
Poor Martinez obviously found it difficult to look tough in an orange jumpsuit with chains on his hands and feet.
Samuel Jackson has moments when he is laconic and his wry humour surfaces. Collin Farrell is effective when he is running about trying to catch the criminals. And the rest, they curl their lips at appropriate times and look tough.
In the face of computer-generated action scenes, SWAT relies on good old-fashioned shootouts and cop activities including chasing an aircraft that lands on a highway bridge. You know who will win in the end but nonetheless, interesting to see it through till the climax.
CHITRA MAHESH
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