The Recruit (2003)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jeff "

  
  The Recruit is a film that showcases an interesting idea, but simply doesn't quite get there. It's a great shame because this film could have been something great, unfortunately it falls flat after 45 minutes in, and the plot seems to stop dead in its tracks. The recruit… More
  The Recruit is a film that showcases an interesting idea, but simply doesn't quite get there. It's a great shame because this film could have been something great, unfortunately it falls flat after 45 minutes in, and the plot seems to stop dead in its tracks. The recruit could have been a good film, but instead it just becomes a mediocre film that ends up being a waste of time. You'd think that a film with a strong lead in Al Pacino would be good, right? Well, this one disappoints and by the end of the film you feel that something is missing to really make this film a must see film. Unfortunately , this film is not interesting, and the plot goes nowhere after 45 minutes. The acting was decent, but overall everything seems out of place after a while. The Recruit is a pointless action film that just doesn't deliver. I thought the film could have been much better than this, and it was a total waste. The Recruit had a good idea for a plot, unfortunately the second act of the film just doesn't deliver, and that's what makes this film mediocre. The Recruit is one of those films that had a good idea, but due to a poor script, simply doesn't cut it, and ends up being a flawed film. If you're looking for a good action spy thriller, then don't watch this film. This film is quite disappointing and ends up being a dud by the time the credits role.

• Kase V

  
  'The Recruit' is a nasty little thriller whose twists and turns keep you guessing until the end, even if its obvious who the real antagonist is. The plot is a bit contrived and the performances aren't spectacular, but the movie delivers cool, swift entertainment.… More
  'The Recruit' is a nasty little thriller whose twists and turns keep you guessing until the end, even if its obvious who the real antagonist is. The plot is a bit contrived and the performances aren't spectacular, but the movie delivers cool, swift entertainment. It's not incredibly well-made, but much more enjoyable if you sit back and let the plot unfold before you.

• moon r

  
  Okay performances in a rote exercise of predictability.

• familiar s

  
  Same old CIA crap. I was expecting a thriller, if not a suspense, but this was outright predictable (lacks even a single unexpected twist) with a rotten presentation. Al Pacino's star power didn't make it any better. He was mediocre (as was the movie).

• Lady D

  
  It was hard to believe that Colin Farrell was putting on an accent in this film, the accent seems to come second nature to him now. A smooth, Action Thriller, which glimpses into the presumed training techniques within the CIA. Trust and loyalty cannot be depended upon and… More
  It was hard to believe that Colin Farrell was putting on an accent in this film, the accent seems to come second nature to him now. A smooth, Action Thriller, which glimpses into the presumed training techniques within the CIA. Trust and loyalty cannot be depended upon and everything is a game! Another good role for Al Pacino and an enjoyable conclusion.

• Conner R

  
  While the plot is a little predictable and weak, Al Pacino and Colin Farrell make this an extremely fun movie. The acting is just so good that it almost balances out the mediocre nature of it. It's worth watching at least once, but is a failure in being an effective spy thriller.

• Anthony L

  
  This film has its moments but it is basically a ?Frankenstein film? put together from parts of other, superior war films.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Trust. Betrayal. Deception. In the C.I.A. nothing is what it seems."</i> A brilliant young CIA trainee is asked by his mentor to help find a mole in the Agency. <center><font size=+2… More
  <i>"Trust. Betrayal. Deception. In the C.I.A. nothing is what it seems."</i> A brilliant young CIA trainee is asked by his mentor to help find a mole in the Agency. <center><font size=+2 face="Verdana"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> There's not too much to say about The Recruit. It was definitely solid from start to finish. To start out, the story was fairly decent. I suppose it would be classified as a mix of thriller/suspense/drama. But, there is a style to this movie that in a sense makes it a partial comedy. More specifically, Al Pacino, who is excellent in his role, is non intentionally amusing in several scenes. The rest of the cast is decent as well. For a CIA movie, it is easy to understand and moves at a good pace. Nothing too slow or complicated. This is a good movie and should be at least watched once, if not several times to fully enjoy it.

• Candy R

  
  A bit like the rookie, Chris is the new CIA recruit put through his paces by his mentor (Al) to find a mole in the agency. Who can he trust? Good performances.

• Derek D

  
  Al Pacino has gone downhill in recent years (10 of them at least) and this predictable, drawn-out mess is a good example of why. The only bright spot in this thing is the acting of Colin Farrell, who doesn't phone in a performance here. He's very good in it. What a waste of… More
  Al Pacino has gone downhill in recent years (10 of them at least) and this predictable, drawn-out mess is a good example of why. The only bright spot in this thing is the acting of Colin Farrell, who doesn't phone in a performance here. He's very good in it. What a waste of talent.

• Al S

  
  A totally gripping edge of your seat thriller. Plenty of twist, turns and surprises. An energetic, tense and exciting rush of a film. Very enjoyable and exhilerating. A stylish and well crafted film. A suspense-packed adreniline-rush. Hits all every part on the excitment bar. Al… More
  A totally gripping edge of your seat thriller. Plenty of twist, turns and surprises. An energetic, tense and exciting rush of a film. Very enjoyable and exhilerating. A stylish and well crafted film. A suspense-packed adreniline-rush. Hits all every part on the excitment bar. Al Pacino is brilliant. Collin Farrel is sensational. They have very impressive chemistry, Farrell manges to stay equal to his Oscar Winning veteran mentor.

• Film C

  
  absolutly great a really good film about the CIA gripping and action packed and very surprising worth a watch well and truly

• Michael S

  
  Smart little thriller.

• danny d

  
  pretty good, but should have been better

• Stuart B

  
  A bit of a let down, expected more with Pacino in it.

• Michael G

  
  Ehhh...

• Kalel J

  
  Not a bad popcorn thriller here that entertains well. There was a lot of potential for The Recruit to become a very nicely rounded film and with the ensemble listed here it should have filled that potential. However, the scriptwriters ultimately became lazy with this effort and missed… More
  Not a bad popcorn thriller here that entertains well. There was a lot of potential for The Recruit to become a very nicely rounded film and with the ensemble listed here it should have filled that potential. However, the scriptwriters ultimately became lazy with this effort and missed out on the key crucial points to turn this from good to great. The film should have delved a little further into the character that Colin Farrell plays and we should have been given a further look at his life beforehand; the film cuts to the chase very quickly and tends to keep this pace going, a pace that brings about plot holes and inconsistencies; and while this cast may look good, the script never gives the actors justice enough to fill the parts (Farrell does well, Pacino never shines). Though, with that said, the director has done a nice job with the material given to him, some of the camera techniques and general flow of parts of the movie work very well. All in all, The Recruit is a good thrillers but not a great one, and definitely not a film to overly excels in this genre, it's generally popcorn entertainment at best (which can be good at times).

• Aaron N

  
  An alright movie, with a good cast. Pacino of course helps, but the problem arises when the end goes with a very familiar approach and obvious plot twists.

• Khris N

  
  Above average thriller - something different - the two leads are a contrast but blend so well cause they great actors - could have been better - but alright to watch.

• Fascade F

  
  Saw this one and loved it to the end. Incredible performances by both Pacino and Farrell. If this movie has been on your shelf for a long time...blow the dust off of it and watch it again!

Read all 20 featured audience ratings