The Presidio

Trailer—The Presidio

The Presidio

OK-ish crime-drama. Plot is decent and reasonably intriguing. The relationship/romantic-drama stuff feels lame, and unconvincing, though. Sean Connery and Mark Harmon are OK in the lead roles. Decent support from Jack Warden and Meg Ryan.

The role of Provost Marshall at the Presidio was not real stretch for Sean Connery. He just had to continue the role he played in The Untouchables the year before. That is not to say that he wasn't good, but it was a familiar type for him - tough cop and tough father. This time he was protecting his daughter, played by Meg Ryan in a role that is familiar also, against a San Francisco police detective (and former MP) played by Mark Harmon. Ryan gave that sweet role that she played in Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail. The cute smile and the girlish manner that we all love; not the raw role we saw in In the Cut. I am a big fan of Harmon in NCIS and I always enjoyed his earlier roles. he does a good job here as well. There was plenty of action: car chases, running through the streets of San Francisco, and a final gun battle that ends it all.

Sean Connery fans,this is a must. Mark Harmon fans, this is a must. Meg Ryan fans, this is a must. For: a) Sean Connery fans (of which I am one), watching Scotland's favourite son beat up a bully with his thumb is impossible to miss. He's great as a solder, and acts well (as usual). b) Mark Harmon fans, watching him as a coool detective smirking down a barrel of a gun held by a pretty much insane villain is quite amusing AND c) Meg Ryan fans, though she appears in few scenes, she takes over each one with her wild hair and sexy manner. In other words, see it. It's got an element of mystery and and action, and, in my opinion, it's very well acted. Enjoy.

If you have seen this sort of film before, than you'll foresee things happening. That is not necessarily a bad thing. It's just not a good thing either. The actors are very good, but also not extraordinary (even Mr. Connery had better performances in other movies). The plot moves in the normal speed as you'd expect and the editing isn't bad either, with the exception of a few scenes, especially near the ending. But that's it, it's nothing really special nor ground-breaking happening. What's left is a decent enough picture that you can watch and enjoy, but the experience will be like the movie: Average!

While this one is no highlight in Sean Connery's or Meg Ryan's career it is better than many people make it be. It's main failing may be that it lacks a certain level of excitement we have come to expect from such films. On the other hand, it arrives at a little bit more depth than most of its contenders - which may have worked against it ...

Despite what some people have said about this movie, I must tell you I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sean Connery, as always, gets into his character Lt. Col. Caldwell very well (he should be cast as a military officer more often). Meg Ryan, though limited in screen time, shines as his daughter Donna...they're father-daughter sessions make for some good drama. Mark Harmon, who for some reason hasn't received many offers to star in big movie roles, plays Jay Austin. He's a cop who used to be an MP at The Presidio, the base at which a murder takes place. Harmon does an excellent job, both as Donna's lover and Caldwell's unwanted partner. The fact is, the performances are wonderful, the story is fascinating, and the chase scenes create pulse-pounding excitement. If you like action, romance, drama, and a little humor every now and then, I recommend The Presidio.