Sahara (2005) PG-13
Is there anything wrong with a bit of vacuous, escapist entertainment?
We all need it from time to time. A moment to sit in the dark, stop thinking, mindlessly munch through enough popcorn to feed a small African village, and be taken on a light-hearted journey through some far flung part of the globe.
The 2005 adaptation of Clive Cussler's bestseller, Sahara, is just such a movie. Starring Matthew McConaughey as the dashing hero Dirk Pitt, and the wacky Steve Zahn as his socially-inept off-sider, Al Giordino, Sahara is well paced, light entertainment, that all of the family, from probably 10 years-old and up, can enjoy.
It's a shock to me to know that this film is remembered as one of the great financial flops of Hollywood. For mine though, it is a thoroughly enjoyable flash of light that evoked the classic action movies of by-gone days.
The central character of Dirk Pitt would not have been out of place being played by the heroic actors of yesteryear, given the feel of Sahara. Names like Johnny Weismuller, Victor Mature, Charlton Heston and Burt Lancaster immediately spring to mind. In fact, it is likely they would have shadowed McConaughey, who can be wooden and one-paced at times.
But this is one of his better performances. His teaming with Zahn, who brings his considerable comic skills to the fore, is a match made in buddy Heaven. Of course, no movie of this type would be complete without an erstwhile damsel-in-distress. In this instance, brought to life by 2005 IT-girl, Penelope Cruz, as the disease specialist Dr. Eva Rojas, ear-marked for assassination by a ruthless warlord.
In pursuit of their original goal - the salvaging of a Civil War Ironclad, The CSS Texas, which is full of Confederate booty - Pitt and co., following the rescue of the beautiful Doctor, become embroiled in the intrigue that threatened her life. Before long, a connecting thread entwines the threesome, and their combined plight becomes a battle not only for the health of West Africa, or the riches to be found in the ironclad, but a white-knuckled fight for their lives.
The villain role is split between the despotic local warlord, Kazim, and his corporate cover, Yves Massarde. Whilst Kazim has the moxy to annihilate anyone who stands in his way, Massarde has less stomach for such things, and decides to play with the devil so-to-speak, and like all good con-men, escapes justice, in the company chopper. Kazim, on the other hand, as the 'real' baddie, gets his just desserts, as all baddies should. The final scenes are expectantly dramatic, and sink or swim. But whilst there is action-oriented violence, and implied death, it never slips into the gratuitous or gory.
Equally, as with all movies from the Phil Anshutz stable to-date, the language is commendable. Thankfully, nothing to make my Nanna - or me - blush, and certainly nothing to harm the kids.
Sahara is a quality action flick. The only thing that could remotely be considered 'ambush' material would be the regular consumption of alcohol and stogies. Other than that it is ambush-free, and is available from most, if not all, online and regular DVD stores, in DVD and Blu-Ray format.
By Brett Stringer
