MERCURY RISING

SYNOPSIS:
Art Jeffries (Bruce Willis) is an undercover FBI agent caught up in a siege that goes wrong, and his bellicose response towards his stupid superior gets him into the sin bin, on assignements like wire taps. Until the case of young Simon (Miko Hughes). The 9 year old is an autistic savant who has become the target of assassins after inadvertently deciphering a top-secret government military code in a puzzle book. Colonel Nicholas Kudrow (Alex Baldwin) is the senior National Security agent assigned to unveil the source of the code’s leak. At any cost.

"Entertaining, engaging and a sure-fire box office hit, Mercury Rising is a slick, well-paced action thriller with heart. With well established, engaging characters, Harold Becker expertly builds tension and intrigue with a well-written script which weaves complex twists and turns in this intriguing tale centered around a gifted, autistic child. There’s plenty of star power with Bruce Willis delivering a top performance and doing what he does best. Willis is terrific as the tough, hard-nosed FBI agent with the manic streak, more than a touch of paranoia and solid heart. It’s not very different from many of his screen roles as the reluctant hero, but he manages to add great depth and sensitivity in developing a touching relationship with the child (Miko Hughes, striking as Simon). Alec Baldwin has ever-increasing charisma and maturing good looks with a substantial presence that his role requires. As in his recent performance in The Edge, Baldwin is slick, charming and charismatic, while simultaneously showing glimpses of a darker, callous, flawed and dangerous human being. Watch for the scene in the wine cellar - there’s good human psychology at work here. John Barry’s complex music score is outstanding: melodic, mellow, rich and full, while also being evocative, intriguing, turbulent and thrilling. Truly a master in his field. There’s lots of action, impressive stunts, and good anticipation with thrills to match. My only reservation is that what could have been a really strong conclusion to the film, becomes a predictable, violent, all-stunt action finish, whereas a more satisfying intellectual foray with Alex Baldwin’s character would have elevated the film into something a little greater. But, hey, this is Hollywood, and subtlety isn’t the name of the game. And admittedly the scenes of shattering glass on the skyscraper rooftop are visually dazzling. Mercury Rising is pulsating, top action Hollywood entertainment."
Louise Keller