Mamet's terse, almost cryptic dialogue is worth it alone. But Kilmer's stone cold performance is just spot-on, adding to the pleasure. It's like the first bite into a tart Granny Smith.

Sayang oras. Isang action thriller na napakaraming butas sa storya. Paanong anak ng presidente e napunta sa kamay ng human trafficking? Paanong nakarating sila ng Dubai? Ilan lang sa mga butas na napansin ko. Mukang di talaga taon ni Val Kilmer ang early 2000's.

I am a fan of David Mamet, so this was a disappointment. Starts off corny, gets mildly interesting, then turns confusing and regrettable. Editing can't save this; the story is too convoluted for that. Cast is largely good actors, but a few amateurs really stand out as terrible. The lighting crew on the nighttime scenes is jarringly bad--you've never seen such intense multi-directional moonlight and wacky shadows.

Surprised at how good the movie was from start to finish, then saw it was a David Mamet screenplay. Tight script, taut performances, not so many layers to characters, but in exchange, pace is crisp.

I checked out Spartan because of my admiration for much of Mamet's other work. However, the political action-thriller genre doesn't appear to be a good fit for his talents. The plot, particularly the early scenes, is baffling. Plus, there's very little suspense or excitement in the humdrum action finale. A strong cast tries their best, but not one of the characters onscreen is likable, or even interesting enough to care about. A lot of critics cited the typically great Mamet dialog in their reviews, but they appear to be referencing other films because frankly there's not even much of that on display here.

A bit like Taken, but just much worse. Good: Got me to sleep. Bad: Clumsy action scenes, cluttered and confusing storyline, too many characters, hard to follow. Conclusion: Probably not worth watching, just watch Taken or 24 instead for a much better viewing experience.

One of the best movies I've ever seen. It's really under rated

Everything felt cheap like direct to dvd material for a a list film.

Just watched that - that a couple of hours I'll never get back! Utter garbage. Characters were not even one dimensional, dialogue was just embarassingly bad, plot line was full of holes. "Oh look - a Swedish film crew just happen to be in the hangar where the Secret Service baddies are trying to kill the President's daughter - isn't that handy". Oh - and they think twice about filming it because their pilot is in a hurry. Why does Kilmer call everyone "Baby"? Why the tender love scene at the end? Why was the Chinaman not Chinese? What was hearing him call on Jesus all about? Utter tosh - worse movie I have seen since the awful Cloverfield.

Uneven but riveting espionage/action film. I like Mamet's writing, and seeing him tackle a film that's less a mystery/crime flick and a straight up "time is running out" suspense thriller is enjoyable. Features some of the core Mamet Company of supporting actors. Worth seeing at least once.

Seemed like a B movie to me.

"Spartan" is a brilliant thriller that unfolds more and as it goes on. It peels off the layers like and onion and there is always another surprise around the corner. The writer doesn't feel the need to introduce the characters and jumps right into action and that is a refreshing change. The dialogue is very well thought out and more extensive than the usual one liners that is what makes this triller so unique. The absence of catchphrases or worn out lines makes the dialogue and atmosphere feel more tens and perfectly fits the movies overall theme. Val Kilmer shows one of the best performances of his career a total badass. Macy and Bell also deliver solid performances. The directing is very good and is different than in other thrillers. Rather than trying to lay focus on the characters Mamet lays focus on the plot and lets the actors do their thing which helps the plot unfold so much better and the characters to bloom. He does this with great camera work. There are some great long shots that just raise the tension and excitement. There are also many hidden details in this movie that can give the viewer a clue about the proceedings in the story and pull the viewer even more into the story. In conclusion we can say that we have a very unconventional yet brilliant thriller that excites from start to end and makes the viewer feel at home.

Decent movie. The plot is pretty conventional, the dialogue and performances aren't very memorable, but it has a good enough pacing, stylish direction and solid action to be forgivable.

MAMET is a far better writer than director but the script here feels rough and stilted. Add in a fairly terrible score and KILMER walking around doing his best emotionless SEAGAL impression and you have a confused thriller that fails to satisfy.

There is no possible way any agency no matter how special would send someone who just finished training on a big mission like this! Get a clue hollywood!

End breaks down a bit, but overall an example where minimalism can take a seemingly cliche genre and make it real again.

A very dark intriguing thriller written and directed by David Mamet, with Val Kilmer playing a special operative named Robert Scott, dedicated to his country with specific skills. A man of a thousand faces. When the President's daughter is abducted, Robert & Curtis (young rookie operative) are put on the case to help find her. As the investigation progresses they realize they have uncovered a slavery ring of young blonde women who are sent to Dubai. Robert gets very close to uncovering the entire operations when the President's people make an announcement that she died by drowning with her Professor in a boating accident. Curtis knows this is not true and reveals this to Robert. Robert ends up on a mission outside of his agency to save the Presidents daughter. A dark movie of conspiracy & complicated politics.

Spartan is a decent film. It is about the investigation into a kidnapping of the daughter of a high-ranking US government official. Val Kilmer and Derek Luke give good performances. The script is a little slow in places. David Mamet did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the action and adventure.

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"Was It As Fun As Playing Miniature Golf?" 1/2 When The Daughter Of The President Is Kidnaped Veteran Army Ranger & Secret Service Agent Robert Scott Is Assigned To The Task Force Of Recovering The Girl. Accompanied On This Mission Is A New Secret Service Recruit Ranger Curtis Who Is Training Under Scott. They Soon Discover A Human Trafficking Operation That They Believe Will Lead Them To The Girl. But When The Press Releases That The Girl Is Dead The Case Is Considered Closed. You Can't Lie To A Ranger: That Is What Curtis Tells Scott. But Why Does Scott Care If The Story Of The Girl Being Dead Is A Lie? He's Just A Worker Bee: That Never Wanted To Be A Handler, Or A Planner, & Never Claimed To Be. He Just Does What He's Told & Avoids The Political Nonsense That He Thinks Is As Fun As Playing Miniature Golf. When Curtis Tells Him That They Have An Army That Depends On Them For The Truth Curtis Is Shortly There After Shot By A Sniper & Scott Takes His Last Words To Heart, & Becomes Determined To Accept The Consequences & See The Mission Through Till The Truth Is Known. ~ I Give This Film An A (Amazing) 1/2