Customer Reviews

Netforce [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have never read Tom Clancy's books nor had I heard of the Net Force series before, but this movie was so good that I actually went to the net to look for Clancy's books. Even though some characters are not well developed, the movie was a very realistic depiction of how our technology could be in about 20 years. The plot was fast moving and it kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.

If you've read the book or books, and saw this movie, you know this is mocking the brilliance of Tom Clancy. This choppy, made-for-TV film has terrible dialogue, ludicrous conversations, and an awful storyline that barely goes with the book.

You probably know screenplay is almost everything, and a poor one makes a film terrible, especially if the screenwriter isn't good in the genre of films he's writing. That was Lionel Chetwynd, who wrote the teleplay. He had previously written countless documentries, and Net Force was his first theatrical film.

On a strong point, the acting is fantastic. Scott Bakula has a great performance as Alex Michaels, Kris Kristofferson delivers once again, and Brian Dennehy makes a good effort. Little known actor Paul Hewitt is wonderful playing the young computer wiz, Jay Gridley.

Bottom Line: The acting is good, but screenplays kill and this one doesn't deliver. Net Force wouldn't be my first choice for viewing pleasure.

Having been an avid Tom Clacy reader since 'Red October' I have to admit to being slightly disappointed in this film of his NetForce book. The acting by Bakula is excellent as usual. But I found having read the books that it strays too far from the plot, even allowing for editorial license. Having said that it was still enjoyable to watch.

I watched this movie for two reasons, it was about computers and Scott Bakula was a main actor starring in it. I enjoyed the action and the relationship factor in the story. You care for these characters and they are likeable too. I also was pleasantly entertained by the pace and acting of this movie, and love the twists at several parts. It kept me glued until the end. I enjoyed wtching it so much I purchaed the DVD.

I think that this film was a very good movie. It had a lot of action and suspense which kept me entertained throughout the entire film. It also had some very impressive and amazing effects which were also enjoyable. The performances by the film's cast were convincing and believable. I disagree with the critics who think that is a boring or depressing film. I personally liked this film and I think that it's really worth watching.

How anyone can turn a cool new premise like this and transform it into a 2 1/2 hour journey into boredom is a mystery. How Tom Clancy's name was tacked on to this is another one.

Which is the greatest mystery you'll find in the film. Quite literally you could find more suspense and better writing from your average Scooby Doo re-run than from Netforce. It is seriously that bad.

All the lead characters come off as generic and clueless, especially for people who are supposed to be working as elite law enforcement. Bakula gives his what has to be his lamest performance as a high-tech anti-terrorist.

Kris Kristofferson plays the typical grisled "chief" who longs for the good-ol' days. Dennehy plays a bit part as the person who's only job is to say "Find out who's doing this!". Both really don't even appear much in the film.

The snail-paced "who-dunnit" plot was rather disappointing. Most of the movie is spent chasing the obvious and learning about the Janus (their fictional Microsoft) Corporation's sinister new web browser. The actions scenes were not bad, but the romance subplot was completely out-of-sync with the rest of the movie.

If you're a computer geek, you'll also find several additional insults to your intellegence with the plot. Also on the annoying list was the complete overuse and misuse of Internet/virtual reality jargon.

In short, this movie is wrong. It's only value I can think of getting this would be to show the 90's pop-culture conception of the Internet. If you want suspense, action and politcal intrigue check out the "Jack Ryan" series of Clancy movies... 'cos this baby, despite it's decent production quality, is a total waste of time.

Absolutely one of the worst movies I've sat through....I could kick myself for wasting 2 hours and 42 minutes of my life. I like Tom Clancy, the internet and these actors...unfortunately for them, this movie had no redeeming qualities.

The most boring movie that I've ever watched. It was all that I could do to stay awake. The actors are very good including Bakula, Kristoffersen, Dennehy and Going. The screenplay is just plain uninteresting. Thankfully the talented and beautiful Joanna Going kept my eyes open. Otherwise this is a snooze fest.

This film touches on a topic that most of us, who are so deeply saturated with computers and the Internet,completely ignore. We see in this movie a group of Internet hackers led by a Bill Gates clone (played by an amusing Judge Reinhold) and his charming computer wiz (a talented Anjul Nigam) and muscle man (the menacing Xander Berkley)take the controls of the Internet by breaking into the White House. Scott Bakula is the head of the FBI's NetForce division that investigates these computer crimes. This film is a must see for anyone who has been affected by the computer age: Everyone!

This is a great movie. It is very well done. It's a bit long though - about 2 and 3/4 hours.