Stealth - movie review

In the simplest terms, Stealth is movie crack. That means it possesses no redeeming qualities other than the buzz it gives you before it drops you back into your mediocre life. It is also highly addictive, with Stealth's director Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious & XXX) being a common dealer of choice. (The other being Dominic Sena - Gone in 60 Seconds & Swordfish.) In fact, the Cohen signature - adrenalinized visuals, tricked-out CGI scene transitions, seductive closeups on up-and-coming leading men - may be enough to get your butt into the theatre. In which case, you are an addict. Hi, My Name is Raye. And I am an addict.

Stealth is about naval "aviators" who are the best at what they do. Lucky for the Navy, "the best" happen to be an equal opportunity dream. There is the lead captain - the scrumptious Josh Lucas - who gets the most screentime with his blue eyes and cheeky smile. He's also got one of the best voices to be brought out of the U.S. in ages. He's Ben, and apparantly he has some issues about his job cause he's very reluctant to seperate the actions from consequences in war. His second - the posing, this?-is-your-post-Oscar-role? Jamie Foxx - offers the 'brother' quotient to the story. It also ensures his bit-player status which was a surprise considering his current celebrity and suggests that the contract for Stealth was likely signed before Ray hit the big screen. The third - the action girl pinup Jessica Biel - is the girl. But she's a strong girl and by the end you can't help but give her props for toughing it out like a trooper. She also brings a great ass to the picture that is obviously exploited in more scenes than necessary (it's a perfect drinking game item = spot Jessica's butt in the frame ... take one shot!)

After this trio is established, the film sets up the challenge of overcoming the introduction of a digital plane to the team. Let's keep it simple again and say that chaos ensues. But this is not to discount the beauty of the chaos. Cohen does an admirable job of presenting us with engaging action, many explosions, and incredible scenery. The first great flaw comes in the vidoe-game look of the flight sequences. Although they may work for a target audience that is used to having a joystick in hand, they deliver little to a filmgoer. The second is the complete lack of payoff in the romance. Lucas and Biel build excellent chemistry in the opening scenes but the film leaves the viewer ultimately unsatisfied. With two such beautiful people, I expect a solid sex scene - especially when the trailer is teasing with kisses.

By the end, Stealth has hit all the predictable points, presented some invigorating moments, and ended with a smart remark. I just wished I got to see more of Josh in that white uniform - white being the common colour substance addiction afterall.