There are actually two reasons why someone might watch this movie.  The first is the performance by Christopher Walken in his role as the really bad guy, Hatcher.  He just loves doing these evil monster parts and it shows.  The only evil face nastier than Walken's was Jack Nicholson in The Shining (1980).  The second reason is the wirework in the fight scenes.  There was clearly some martial art training mixed with good editing.  Otherwise this is comic book genre story of a modern day Neanderthal named Mr. Beck and portrayed by The Rock.  When the star of the show is an actor named The Rock, you know it's not going to be a deep, psychological plot and it isn't. 

            As I followed along in Beck's rush into the jungle on an assignment with questionable motivation, I experienced a glimmer of hope when I heard the character Beck eschew the use of guns.  I thought he might remain on this moral high ground, but alas, I was proved wrong. 

            Aside from Walken, the only performance I found interesting was by Ewen Bremner who plays the pilot/jeep driver, Declan.  His delivery was light and comic, a relief in an otherwise formula saga of hero against overwhelming odds.

            I should mention the beautiful scenery.  The movie was shot in Hawaii for good reason.  The film crew originally set up in Brazil, but the second day there, they were held up at gunpoint, robbed of everything they had and left in the jungle.  Too bad they didn't get it on film.  It might have been better than the movie.

            Reviewed June 23, 2005                            Copyright 2005 Charles T. Markee

            MPAA: Rated PG-13 for adventure violence and some crude dialogue.