The Siege (1998)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Joe M

  
  Somehow most fail to realize that if the lead character had stayed out of the CIA and military's way thousands of lives could have been saved. The directors attempt to stick it to the man backfires spectacularly and ends up making himself and the movie look childish and reeking… More
  Somehow most fail to realize that if the lead character had stayed out of the CIA and military's way thousands of lives could have been saved. The directors attempt to stick it to the man backfires spectacularly and ends up making himself and the movie look childish and reeking of pseudo-intellectualism.

• Jeff "

  
  Edward Zwick has got to be the most underrated director in Hollywood. He has crafted some terrific films that unfortunately don't get the praise that they deserve. This is very much so the case with The Siege. After a Terrorist is secretly captured by the U.S, terrorist cells… More
  Edward Zwick has got to be the most underrated director in Hollywood. He has crafted some terrific films that unfortunately don't get the praise that they deserve. This is very much so the case with The Siege. After a Terrorist is secretly captured by the U.S, terrorist cells start a wave of terror attacks in New York City. First it's a bus, then it's theatre, then it's a hostage situation, after that it's the bombing of the FBI's counter terrorism New York headquarters. After these attacks, the President implements martial law in New York. I don't understand why this film has gotten so many bad reviews. Most of the reviewers hate the film for the wrong reasons. A little more than twelve years after it's initial release in cinema's, The Siege is relevant. Due because of the 9/11 attacks. Denzel Washington and Annette Bening give great performances. But one of the best here alongside Denzel Washington is Bruce Willis as General Williamn Devereaux, Willis is one cruel antagonist as his character takes control of the city through martial law and kills an American Citizen. The aspect of the film that stood out was Washington's performance and when he butts heads with Willis on screen, the mood gets very tense. Both actors are solid and with every seen they're in, it makes this film more thrilling. The film is not flawless by any means, however the story should appeal to everyone thats interested in Action / Thrillers dealing with terrorism. Considering that in September 2001, Al Qaeda carried out it's attacks on the World Trade Centre, The Siege can now be seen as almost a warning to what was to really come. A prophetic film, The Siege is a top notch action /thriller that delivers a relevant message. And considering that 9/11 happened, the events in the film though fictional would 3 years later after it's initial release be true. An underrated film.

• Cassandra M

  
  The Siege is a film that, I believe, has been misunderstood and underrated. Much criticism has been levelled at the movie by Arab and Islamic groups, due to its allegedly offensive portrayal of Arabs as Islamic fundamentalists. Particular attention is directed to the events which… More
  The Siege is a film that, I believe, has been misunderstood and underrated. Much criticism has been levelled at the movie by Arab and Islamic groups, due to its allegedly offensive portrayal of Arabs as Islamic fundamentalists. Particular attention is directed to the events which occur when martial law is declared: the army, led by General William Devereaux (Willis) take control of Brooklyn and lock up all young Arabs who fit the potential profile of the terrorist attackers. This event, however, is shown to be wrong and a clear subversion of human rights. The film is especially engaging because of the manner in which it is clearly based on a number of real-life events - from the bombing of the US Army base at Dhahran which opens the movie, to the alleged terrorist networks run by Osama bin Laden, to the role of covert US activities in creating and perpetuating terrorism. Washington's character, FBI Agent Anthony Hubbard, considers himself to be a force for universal good. However, nothing in this film is clear-cut: while he criticises the army's activities for their infringements on personal freedoms, we realise that his own investigation is also likely to lead to infringements, albeit of a less visible and painful degree. Not only is this movie interesting and thought-provoking for anyone with an interest in the issues it raises, it is also superbly acted by all involved, and well paced and executed by director Zwick. On the whole: a film that raises interesting questions, gives some fairly clear answers, but leaves many smaller issues open for the audience to think about and consider on their own.

• Candy R

  
  Interesting movie about terrorist threats that bring a city under siege. Denzel is the good guy looking for the terrorist cell. Bruce is the bad military guy who uses all means, including torture and segregation to intimidate and terrorise people to get his own way. It is sad to think… More
  Interesting movie about terrorist threats that bring a city under siege. Denzel is the good guy looking for the terrorist cell. Bruce is the bad military guy who uses all means, including torture and segregation to intimidate and terrorise people to get his own way. It is sad to think that after 9/11 this could really happen. There are laws in place to go beyond the law for the greater good.

• Anthony L

  
  It started well but I lost interest towards the end!

• Jani H

  
  A pretty decent thriller but it's predictable and easily forgotten. On the bright side the idea for the movie was good and pretty realistic with all the pre 9/11 scenarios. The main problem in the casting was Annette Bening as the CIA agent. Didn't fit the role but… More
  A pretty decent thriller but it's predictable and easily forgotten. On the bright side the idea for the movie was good and pretty realistic with all the pre 9/11 scenarios. The main problem in the casting was Annette Bening as the CIA agent. Didn't fit the role but Denzel rocked again.

• Lorenzo v

  
  So, this film is basically about a terrorist group wreaking havoc in New York city, FBI Agent Hub (Denzel Washington) and CIA Operative Elise (Annette Benning) must thwart the evil plans of the terrorists before time runs out. Sounds like a good premise? Yes it does sound good but it… More
  So, this film is basically about a terrorist group wreaking havoc in New York city, FBI Agent Hub (Denzel Washington) and CIA Operative Elise (Annette Benning) must thwart the evil plans of the terrorists before time runs out. Sounds like a good premise? Yes it does sound good but it lacks in the creative side. Edward Zwick failed to entertain me for a rough two hours and I think it is because its all just black propaganda. He made this film to not entertain the audience but to deliver a strong message: Racism is bad. Its all two hours of delivering this message to the audience and some people just don't dig it like me. I mean, I get it man, racism is evil, you don't have to make a movie about it. As usual, Denzel Washington was as brill as ever and his performance really stood out in a film like this. I think Annette Benning was wrongly cast because she is just not fit as a CIA operative. I liked her in 'American Beauty' as a disgruntled housewife but not in this one. Bruce Willis' total screentime is at an estimated 40 minutes and I didn't see him. He was completely overshadowed by Denzel's performance. The good thing about this film is Denzel Washington. The bad: Everything. Not really recommended.

• Tim S

  
  Again, Denzel could read the phone book and I would show up.

• Al S

  
  It's riveting, compelling, shocking, powerful and purely exciting thriller. Packed with nerve-jangling tension and explosive action. It's as real as it is terifying. Intense and unforgettable. A tremendous action-thriller with a serious emotional punch. Chilling and… More
  It's riveting, compelling, shocking, powerful and purely exciting thriller. Packed with nerve-jangling tension and explosive action. It's as real as it is terifying. Intense and unforgettable. A tremendous action-thriller with a serious emotional punch. Chilling and exhilerating throughout. An awsome cast. Denzel Washington is brilliant. Annete Benning is marvelous. Bruce Willis is teriffic. Tony Shaloub is a revelation.

• xGary X

  
  Hollywood's new favourite bad guys, Islamic terrorists, make a series of attacks on New York City, and FBI agent Denzel Washington squabbles with NSC agent Annette Bening over jurisdiction while trying to find and catch them. All very well, but then Bruce Willis'… More
  Hollywood's new favourite bad guys, Islamic terrorists, make a series of attacks on New York City, and FBI agent Denzel Washington squabbles with NSC agent Annette Bening over jurisdiction while trying to find and catch them. All very well, but then Bruce Willis' "renegade" general steps in to occupy the city and I begin to smell a political fish. With rent-a-Democrat Denzel accompanied by loyal and patriotic Arab-American sidekick Tony Shalhoub, quotes from the constitution and Bill Clinton soundbites it all looks very worthy and even-handed. But if you read between the lines, it's basically saying that if patriotic Americans don't let their country's heroic spooks do their job (ie do whatever they want) then the jar-head Gestapo will have to call martial law. So life imitates art as the military are made scapegoats for the mistreatment of Islamic prisoners, and the politicians and makers of American foreign policy are nowhere to be seen. Convenient. As for the "thriller" aspect, it's efficiently done, but more than a little dull. There are the usual explosions, complete with button pushing slo-mo aftermaths full of weeping, bloodied women and children and Denzel occasionally gambols around, gun in hand but ultimately it's rather less exciting than your average episode of 24. And if it's brains you want try Syriana, because this manages to be both simplistic AND dull. So it definitely IS a lose-lose situation...

• Dean !

  
  An ok action thriller as drastic measures are made to try and uncover terrorist cells operating in New York. Sadly still all to relevant to the world we live in today.

• danny d

  
  this is an excellent movie. denzel does a great job as usual of taking a decent movie and making it better with his on screen presence and the plot was great. tony shaloub was also cool and him being middle eastern as an FBI agent in a movie were the bad guys are all middle eastern… More
  this is an excellent movie. denzel does a great job as usual of taking a decent movie and making it better with his on screen presence and the plot was great. tony shaloub was also cool and him being middle eastern as an FBI agent in a movie were the bad guys are all middle eastern was a cool dynamic. great movie.

• Michael G

  
  I remember when this movie was... hot, for lack of a better term after 9/11 because it dealt with terrorist bombings and eventual martial law in NYC. And it pretty much sucks. Part of the reason being is that you'd hope law enforcement agencies would be smarter than this and the… More
  I remember when this movie was... hot, for lack of a better term after 9/11 because it dealt with terrorist bombings and eventual martial law in NYC. And it pretty much sucks. Part of the reason being is that you'd hope law enforcement agencies would be smarter than this and the army wouldn't be a bunch of dipshit frat boys as all seem to be represented here. In a bucket of movie popcorn butter, no less. Washington is tolerable, Bening is at times charming and Willis is his usual unenjoyable self as he apes George C. Scott. It starts off interesting but you are pretty much wiping your ass with your time by watching this movie.

• Aaron N

  
  This movie was lame to the point where I fell asleep for a couple minutes only to wake up to a naked man being interrogated, why oh why?

• Bradley W

  
  The Siege is not a perfect thriller, but its a damn effective one. Now there are many terrorist films these days, actually this film did remind me highly of a Die Hard film, but the difference is that this film is not an action film but a very detailed story of what would happen in a… More
  The Siege is not a perfect thriller, but its a damn effective one. Now there are many terrorist films these days, actually this film did remind me highly of a Die Hard film, but the difference is that this film is not an action film but a very detailed story of what would happen in a city of people in fear and being killed by terrorists. The characters were very dull however, mostly because we are just given them and we do not even get to grow our own impression of them, we are just supposed to expect they are the good guys. Edward Zwick is a great director, I do not care what anyone says because after films like Glory, Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai, and Legends of the Fall he has shown the world he is a great director with his own style of film thats very interesting. This is not his best film, but it was still good and keeps the audience at the tips of their seat during intense moments. The acting was well done, the plot was interesting (even with boring characters), and Edward Zwick once again brings a well made film.

• Alec B

  
  Once you get past the whole, "Oh my gosh! They predicted Islamic extremists doing terrorist attacks in New York and the subsequent abuse of power by the U.S. government" feeling its a pretty bland and simplistic thriller. And really in 1998 this wasn't that hard of a… More
  Once you get past the whole, "Oh my gosh! They predicted Islamic extremists doing terrorist attacks in New York and the subsequent abuse of power by the U.S. government" feeling its a pretty bland and simplistic thriller. And really in 1998 this wasn't that hard of a thing to predict. Whatever interesting or insightful moments exist, they are undermined by Edward Zwick's insistance on schlocky moments like slow motion action scenes (which I hate with a passion). I'll bet anying that it was his involvement in the script that dumbed the material down.

• rocko p

  
  I've walked past this cover so many times in the video store but never really sat down a watched it. Loved it. Any movie about military take-over,new world order stuff I'm into cause believe it or not it can happen. It begs the question how far can you go to protect civil… More
  I've walked past this cover so many times in the video store but never really sat down a watched it. Loved it. Any movie about military take-over,new world order stuff I'm into cause believe it or not it can happen. It begs the question how far can you go to protect civil liberties.

• Magnus X

  
  "Just remember the most commited wins." A powerful, eerie, chilling thriller with a plot they said, unlikely to happen in reality. 9/11 and Moscow proved unforunately that it could. Great cast especially Denzel Washington, Tony Shalhoub and Anette Benning.

• Leo L

  
  Interesting.

• Barry L

  
  Very good film

Read all 20 featured audience ratings