06/22/06 The Sentinel

The Sentinel (2006), directed by Clark Johnson

watched w/ Joel; theater (Blue Ridge Cinema, Raleigh, NC)

It took me a little while into the film to realize that I wasn't watching Kiefer Sutherland's other popular project in TV show "24." Never having really seen that show more than once, I can only assume that one (like me) might think that this is just another clever episode in the 24-hour period/television season that is Sutherland's life as a CIA agent trying to save the president from certain death by assassins. Oh wait, here Sutherland plays a Secret Service agent who must help save the president from certain death by assassins. Wait, deja vu anyone? Actually, I guess there is a bit more to the story than just that. Here it's actually Michael Douglas' character who has the lead role in "saving" the president's life, all the while keeping up a charade of lies to seek the truth. Oh those crafty government employees! Douglas plays a Secret Service agent who has been framed & implicated in a plot to kill the president with foreign foes, all due to the fact that his best friend & fellow agent (director Clark Johnson) caught wind of a mole being in the federal agency and was himself killed and the evidence was pointed into Douglas' direction. Well, instead of just cooperating with his fellow co-workers to solve the biggest scandal in American history, he decides to go vigilante and solve the crime before time runs out (let's say, in about 24 hours). Sutherland plays Douglas' protege in the Service, who has become estranged due to the fact that he believes Douglas to have slept with his wife & ruined his marriage. Personal baggage does not fit in the overhead compartments, guys! What Sutherland doesn't know is that Douglas is actually cheating with none other than the First Lady (Kim Basinger) underneath his buddy the president's nose. And then they threw rookie agent Eva Longoria in there basically for eye candy, and to give her something to do until the next "Desperate Housewives" episode airs. Basically this film was predictable, generic, and blase...not much unlike most TV shows are anyway. You felt like it was one long TV episode, starring all of your current favorite TV show stars! A "Battle Of The Network Stars" vs. the Secret Service if you will. My money is on lovable David Rasche (who played the president) to be the dark horse favorite winner out of this hokie talent crapshoot. This may be a bit obscure or an inside TV-geek nod, but if anyone here remembers "Sledge Hammer!" in the late 80's (www.sledgehammeronline.com) you're one of my kind of people.

2 out of 5 stars