S.W.A.T. (Colin Farrell)

REVIEW
For any fan of the original series, this film should be a fun adventure as it successfully pays homage to the small screen hit of the ’70s while upgrading the action with some modern special effects and pyrotechnics. For those who never saw the series, or (dare we say it?) were not fans, the film does stand on its own, albeit on shaky legs.
Essentially, this is a cop drama that focuses on Jim Street (Colin Farrell), who is dismissed from the SWAT team because of the reckless behavior of his soon-to-be ex-partner. The story then follows his subsequent struggle to get back on SWAT, and the big mission that takes place thereafter. There is plenty of action and the cast is relatively strong despite an abundance of clunky, testosterone-fueled dialog. Michele Rodriguez is surprisingly good and delivers a performance that shows a bit more sensitivity than most have come to expect from the actress who typically plays these tough roles, but unfortunately the film doesn’t allow more than a fleeting glimpse of that side of her character. Samuel L. Jackson has a fun time with the character Hondo, the leader of the team, and LL Cool J delivers a few good jokes and is entertaining to watch. Farrell is in his usual form — the smart aleck, with dangerously good looks, who is really a straight shooter out to save the world. If the film were made about 15 years ago, it probably would have starred Tom Cruise in the lead role (see Top Gun).
The film will most likely satisfy the action-film fans among us, as well as fans of the old TV series — provided you don’t need too much substance with your SWAT.