review: CONSPIRACY

Sony Pictures  //  Buy from Amazon.com Two years ago, while on a special ops mission in Iraq, MacPherson, a loner and expert sniper, is saved from a bomb blast by Miguel Silva, a young Mexican man who has joined the U.S. Marines in order get his citizenship. Both men survive, but sustain severe injuries. MacPherson is now a shell of his former self, and has shut himself off from the world in his run-down Brooklyn apartment. Miguel, now his only friend, has been calling and begging MacPherson to move down to a ranch in Arizona to live and work. Realizing his life just isn't working in Brooklyn, MacPherson finally agrees to join Miguel. When he arrives in the quiet, Western-style border town, Miguel is no where to be found and everyone MacPherson asks lies to him saying they've never heard of him. What they don't know is one of MacPherson's "talents" is being able to tell, just by looking at someone, whether or not they are telling the truth. Upon learning of a corporate entity that's running illegal aliens out of town, MacPherson is determined to find out who's behind the plan and to learn the horrible truth of just what has happened to Miguel, and he will not be stopped until all of those who were involved have been punished. Not sure where to really begin with this one - I do love me some Val Kilmer, but admittedly, the films he's made over the last decade have been pretty hit & miss (more missing than hitting, unfortunately.) "Real Genius," "Top Secret" and even "Top Gun" are great films... "Conspiracy," however, is direct-to-video, suitable only for late (late) night viewing, mindless action pseudo-fun. Too bad, as I am typically a sucker for these kinds of balls-out, minimally-redeeming action extravaganzas... but this one just falls flat from start to finish. Clearly Val Kilmer was just collecting a paycheck here, as he puts out only the barest minimum of effort as an Iraq War veteran taking on the town bad guy... (isn't that the plot of "Walking Tall?") Not a great film, but minimally entertaining, so there's at least that. Video Given a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, the film's visuals are decent, but not great. Audio The Dolby 5.1 surround mix is about on par with the visual presentation - good, not great, about middle of the road. Extras trailers Closing Thoughts Weak, middling affair + no extras = worth viewing only for those in search of (unintentionally) amusing b-action fare