Vantage Point

Moments after he arrives in Spain for a landmark antiterrorism summit, U.S. President Ashton is shot. The 15 minutes leading up to the shooting are rehashed -- Rashomon-style -- from the perspective of various onlookers: two Secret Service agents (Dennis Quaid and Matthew Fox), a TV reporter (Sigourney Weaver) and a tourist (Forest Whitaker). This nail-biting political thriller marks the feature directorial debut of Pete Travis.

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» Reviewed by 20 people

Not really that enjoyable. The movie's plot was weak for its potential. For most of the actors, this was probably their worst acting job to date, though that still means some fine acting from Forest Whitaker. Overall, the attempt at a Rashamon type multi perspective movie just left the theater groining each time the movie flash backed. Literally, you could hear groans from all over. Good idea, but poorly executed.
- evil fremen

It was an OK movie. The premise of the multiple POVs was interesting. However, it got boring for rewinding so many times. Furthermore, I figured out the plot from the very beginning - so I imagine more people will do the same.
- liesl78

Reading the previous reviews made me a bit hesitant about watching this movie, but I gave it a go, and I was rather surprised that I liked it as much as I did.
- Norsehawk

I have to say that this movie had a really great plot, and a cool idea to show a terrorist attack from various peoples perspective at the scene. Although there was some really powerful scenes, the movie overall left me disappointed. First, with all the great actors in this movie, I would expect something top notch, and it was just above average. Second, there were some actors, like Sigorney Weaver, where I was wondering why the hell she was even in this movie as her role was useless. Third, there was some massive cheese factor here, especially the scenes with the "ice cream" girl. The climax of the movie is incredibly ridiculous. So, I can't completely disavow this movie because there was some good in it, but be prepared that it is no "In The Line Of Fire". BTW, if you haven't seen that yet, definitely do so!
- MF 91168

To be fair seeing as it was Pete Travis feature directorial debut, it was OK, with some caveats. I did not enjoy the rapid pace of the scene changes, nor the attempt at trying to model after 24. Fact it made me think at times that they just grabbed bits of random footage off the editing floor and pieced it all together. The concept was good, that is take a major event, then view it from the perspective angles of different people involved in the event, but that's where the good ended. Nothing was left for the imagination to work with, you got to see basically the same scene over and over again, which showed little bits of how the actual plot unfolded. It left me feeling cheated really, I enjoy trying to figure out who did what, or what their motive might have been, I don't like it handed to me on a silver plate. My suggestion's for Mr Travis's next project. Slow down, smooth out your editing and allow that the viewer might enjoy figuring parts of the plot out on their own. Overall I'd give it a 2.5, it was OK, but I would not want to watch it again. I honestly started to get a headache within the first 20 minutes or less due to the rapid fire editing from one scene to the next.
- 2McAbre

When all is said and done there isn't much to this film. I will give it some respect for the technical aspects, the editing and the camera work. Ultimatly this film didn't work for me as it was more about the style than the substance. Which is unfortunate since the subject matter could be very interesting.
- Rogertick

The unique feature of "Vantage Point" is showing one scene from a different perspective. It is both the strength and weakness of the movie. The story is actually quite short but told in a 90-minute movie. Much of the movie is a lengthy car chase scene that goes on, and on, and on. While the multiple perspective approach can work well, and does so in this case, the actual story is short. "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" used a similar technique but was more effective because the story was more in-depth and the multiple perspective approach did not dominate the entire film as it did in "Vantage Point." In short, an interesting movie that was worth watching but it will be quickly forgotten and won't win any awards for character development or creative script writing.
- AtTheBeach

I feel like this movie is someone's senior project. It's Rashomon meets Bourne Ultimatum but without the skill to make it all happen. Except it's not Rashomon at all; it's Rashomon-lite. Rashomon dealt with perspective and how each person perceives his own reality. Vantage Point is about agendas. Each person is in his own world, careening and interacting with others but absorbed in his own needs. No one is who they appear to be. This multi-layered story makes for fine thriller but Rashomon it is not. The action is fine and decently shot/choreographed. However, a lot of other scenes are badly shot on purpose to give a frantic confused mood. The camera and editing is jittery and tiresome. Fortunately, the movie is short and moves fast even though you're seeing the same thing over and over again. But a bit more is added each time around so you're never bored. That said, the actual screenplay is laughable. The reporter/journalist angle is badly written and acted even worse. The mother character is poorly acted to the point you think she's a heartless witch. The American tourist is self-absorbed idiot and refuses to not videotape everything. Finally, the terrorist plot comes to an end for the most stupid reason: to save the life of a child. You're willing to bomb public events but not kill a kid? Just have an anvil from God drop on his head to end it. In the end, the story is worthless. It says nothing and isn't presented well. When you have a first-time writer and a first-time director join forces, this is what happens. All the acting talent goes to waste.
- Dan the Karateka

I was really surprised how at how much I LIKED this movie. I didn't really think that I would. It was really good. Different. I will tell u if u don't like movies that jump around u will most likely not like this film. The characters are great and the small amount of time you get to know them you are very quickly drawn in and the movie NEVER lets you go. I don't want to give anything away but as the facts are reveled you can't help but be excited to know more. I was on the edge of my seat the entire ride that is this movie. This is a definite MUST see.
- *~*Sullivans*~*

this revoles around the U.S. president getting shot. They show 6 points of views,so for the 1st 30 mins. U see him getting shot from everyone's view, showing what they were doing before & after Once U get past goundhog day, this was good thiller. There was a great car chase scene. Forest & Sigourney have minor roles in this not major ones,which the previews want u to beleive.
- RoUgH WaVe

I guess from all the reviews I read you either like this movie or you don't. Even a lot of the 3 star reviews were not that positive. I did find the repetitive nature of the movie somewhat annoying, but it was set up to tell the same story from many different points of view. Dennis Quaid and Forest Whitaker did really good work in this film. The car chase scene which lasted quite a long time was tension filled excitement. I really liked this movie and thought it was well written and acted. Enough twists to keep you guessing and a little information from each point of view to give you more insite on what's going on to entertain you. I found this movie to be well worth a watch! 7/06/08 4 stars.
- frgodbeyjr

It's true I'm an action junkie and this one delivers on that end big time! Add in a presidential conspiracy and a well done who-done-it-and-how thriller and this one is worth a watch for all action thriller lovers. Great cast with Quaid, Hurt & Whitaker and at only 80+ minutes you don't have time to stop and think about it, just enjoy! 7/08
- Skorpean

This movie was full of action, but a lot of the sequences were far-fetched and unrealistic - too many unlikely coincidences. Dennis Quaid seemed out of his element for some reason and the whole Forest Whitaker character just seemed uneccessary. This had potential, was interesting at times, and there were a few surprises, but overall it didn't quite deliver. This is another one where the idea and the trailer were better than the movie.
- Southern Belle 1

The biggest problem with this film is that these events would never happen. I have no issue with trying to tell a story through varying points of view, but I do have a problem with an inability to conceptualize a realistic scenario. Oh, but it's just a movie, some might say. That's nonsense, because the best movies are always those that feel authentic. Even a Star Wars or Lord of the Rings has a certain level of authenticity, but not this. It's just pure, flat out laziness to claim "it's just a movie" as some sort of excuse for lack of realism. Make an effort, that's all I ask. That said, of the multiple vantage points, Whitaker's is far and away the most interesting. It might just be worth a viewing to watch Forest do his thing. Of the rest of the cast, each are rather uninteresting. However, there's a fairly good car chase scene that was probably pretty difficult to pull off in such a location, so kudos for that, I guess. Otherwise, a mediocre affair that won't leave many lasting memories. *shrug*
- Photo Heathen

The problem with movies that are told through multiple points of view, is that invariably some perspectives are less interesting than others. The gimmick works for a while but really fails to build any suspense until the final 20 minutes. The final result is a cool looking film, but ultimately not a great one.
- Brody

Vantage Point is one of those movies that you do not really know if you liked it or not, it shows the 15 minutes before the president gets assassinated from the vantage point of different involved characters. At the end I did like the way the stories weaved together and with every Vantage point they give you just a little more information of what is happening. The ending itself was a copout in my opinion, so rent this, do not buy it because it is a movie you only watch once.
- Digitalbrian

Many complain about formula movies. This one was certainly outside the box and was done very, very well. I think it was necessary to set up each flashback like a rewind on a VCR or else the viewer may have gotten completely lost. Those rewinds only took a few seconds on screen time. This film exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be the exact same scenes over and over from different vantage points. However the picture extended the scenes with each of the six vantage points and the result was a great thriller. This film was a perfect length of 90 minutes and the picture and sound in the Blu-ray version were top of the line. I highly recommend this action packed movie. 11-19-2008
- Rascal

Repetitive and implausible, this "Groundhog Day" approach to political assassination relies entirely too much on the multi-angle marketing hook. Admittedly, the first 20+ minutes of story is entertaining, but shortly thereafter common sense goes missing, replaced by the tedious replay of events from a variety of different perspectives. From engaging to groan-inducing, Vantage Point is easily too long by 45+ minutes. But the recognizable cast does OK with the material and there are post-event moments of action, including a requisite car chase near the end. Finally, without giving anything way (unlike the preview that reveals the films biggest twist!), I thought the "who did what to whom and why" reward was a bit meager for the ad nauseam I'd been through. Vantage Point won't win any rewards and seems doomed to eventually reside in the $5 Wal-Mart bargain bin but at least the first 20 minutes and the inevitable car chase was good.
- Creeper

This seemed like a really good idea for a movie...apparently not. The plot became extremely repetitive after the first two vantage points. Each point of view reveals more of the plot, but you have to watch the same thing over and over just to get a tiny bit of information. The payout wasn't worth the repetition. This movie could have been about 30 to 45 minutes--the beginning was good and the end was good, the middle was boring. The acting was not as good as I expected from this cast, but that was likely due to the terrible script and little/no character development. This movie is not without redeeming qualities. As I said, the beginning (the first time you see the story...) is really good. And the action scenes are well-done. I'm glad I didn't see this dud in the theater. It's worth a rent if you're looking for something a bit different from the norm, but don't expect greatness. 2.5 stars rounded to 3. 4 July 2008
- poohbear7882

VANTAGE POINT is an action-adventure movie at its heart, pure and simple. A political assassination is played and re-played Roshomon-style from the different perspectives, or "vantage points" if you prefer, of the main characters. Lots of jump cuts and some jittery camera work. But, also a lot of explosions, gunfire, and a pretty nifty car chase sequence. The truth of the plot is not very plausible, although that doesn't necessarily detract from my enjoyment of this type of movie. The constant rewinding and replaying of the same crucial moment was more than just a gimmick for me. It was the main theme of the movie: perception is not always reality. Good performances from all involved and a recommendation from Firewater. [07-02-08]
- Firewater