G.I. Jane
3/4
Starring: Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft, Jason Beghe, Scott Wilson, Daniel von Bargen, John Michael Higgins
Rated R for Language and Combat Violence
"G.I. Jane" is an action movie, although not in the strictest sense of the word. There are stunts and violence, but it's not all gunfire and blowing things up (there is one traditional action sequence, but it's brief and comes at the end). Actually, it's more similar to "Top Gun" than say, "Navy SEALS."
Senator Lillian DeHaven (Bancroft) is known for her push for gender equality in the armed forces. In order to open up more jobs to women, she decides to have a woman undergo SEAL training, the most intense training known to mankind. The woman selected is Jordan O'Neal (Moore), a tenacious young naval officer who doesn't want any special treatment. But not everyone wants to see her finish; her squad, her commanding officer, nor the higher ups in the military. But that just makes O'Neal fight harder.
Sometimes an actor is perfectly cast for a role. Robert Downey, Jr. for "Iron Man," Anthony Hopkins for "The Silence of the Lambs," and Demi Moore in "G.I. Jane." Moore considerably bulked herself up for the role, and that combined with her husky voice and her fierce gaze, it's impossible to imagine anyone else playing the part. O'Neal is a tough woman, and she's not going to let anyone stop her. But in such a male-dominated profession, some friction is bound to occur. She is subjected to sexual harassment (both subtle and obvious), and is constantly being singled out through various means. But O'Neal soldiers on, becoming more and more determined to finish. Strangely, Moore won a Razzie for her performance, but those are more influenced by social opinion than anything.
The supporting cast is also very good, but this is Moore's show. Anne Bancroft is delicious as the tough-as-nails, upfront Senator. Complete with a southern drawl, she's as tough as O'Neal. Viggo Mortensen gives another strong performance as her brutal commanding officer.
Ridley Scott is a director who knows what he's doing when it comes to action movies. He pays attention to character as well as setting up good action scenes (both of which, I might add, are crucial to get the blood pumping). But he does pay more than lip service to the themes or sexual harassment without turning it into a message movie (save for one small scene). He gets us to understand how tough this training is, especially for O'Neal.
The problems with the film mainly have to do with the addition of some higher ups who seem to be conspiring to make O'Neal fail. The characters of Hayes (von Bargen) and the Chief of Staff (Higgins) are one-dimensional villains who are not only badly written but unnecessary. The much more believable sexual harassment of her fellow trainees is much more credible, and that's all that's necessary. Finally, the bookending scenes are filled with military mumbo-jumbo that doesn't make a lot of sense.
Still, this is solid entertainment.
Starring: Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft, Jason Beghe, Scott Wilson, Daniel von Bargen, John Michael Higgins
Rated R for Language and Combat Violence
"G.I. Jane" is an action movie, although not in the strictest sense of the word. There are stunts and violence, but it's not all gunfire and blowing things up (there is one traditional action sequence, but it's brief and comes at the end). Actually, it's more similar to "Top Gun" than say, "Navy SEALS."
Senator Lillian DeHaven (Bancroft) is known for her push for gender equality in the armed forces. In order to open up more jobs to women, she decides to have a woman undergo SEAL training, the most intense training known to mankind. The woman selected is Jordan O'Neal (Moore), a tenacious young naval officer who doesn't want any special treatment. But not everyone wants to see her finish; her squad, her commanding officer, nor the higher ups in the military. But that just makes O'Neal fight harder.
Sometimes an actor is perfectly cast for a role. Robert Downey, Jr. for "Iron Man," Anthony Hopkins for "The Silence of the Lambs," and Demi Moore in "G.I. Jane." Moore considerably bulked herself up for the role, and that combined with her husky voice and her fierce gaze, it's impossible to imagine anyone else playing the part. O'Neal is a tough woman, and she's not going to let anyone stop her. But in such a male-dominated profession, some friction is bound to occur. She is subjected to sexual harassment (both subtle and obvious), and is constantly being singled out through various means. But O'Neal soldiers on, becoming more and more determined to finish. Strangely, Moore won a Razzie for her performance, but those are more influenced by social opinion than anything.
The supporting cast is also very good, but this is Moore's show. Anne Bancroft is delicious as the tough-as-nails, upfront Senator. Complete with a southern drawl, she's as tough as O'Neal. Viggo Mortensen gives another strong performance as her brutal commanding officer.
Ridley Scott is a director who knows what he's doing when it comes to action movies. He pays attention to character as well as setting up good action scenes (both of which, I might add, are crucial to get the blood pumping). But he does pay more than lip service to the themes or sexual harassment without turning it into a message movie (save for one small scene). He gets us to understand how tough this training is, especially for O'Neal.
The problems with the film mainly have to do with the addition of some higher ups who seem to be conspiring to make O'Neal fail. The characters of Hayes (von Bargen) and the Chief of Staff (Higgins) are one-dimensional villains who are not only badly written but unnecessary. The much more believable sexual harassment of her fellow trainees is much more credible, and that's all that's necessary. Finally, the bookending scenes are filled with military mumbo-jumbo that doesn't make a lot of sense.
Still, this is solid entertainment.
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