Behind Enemy Lines (2001) Critic Reviews

War is hellishly entertaining, especially in Behind Enemy Lines, a 21-gun salute to the commitment and preparedness of the U.S. military.Read the full review

Its real agenda is rip-roaring adventure, and that it delivers all wrapped up with a bow.Read the full review

As intense an immersion in military ambience as a Hollywood movie could hope to provide in just over 90 minutes.Read the full review

A Hollywood production that appeals to our patriotism while respecting our intelligence.Read the full review

As a director, Moore is like an energetic puppy who's all over you all at once. You admire his energy, and it's awfully hard to get angry at such high spirits, but you can't help but wish he'd calm down just a bit.Read the full review

An unembarrassed, high-octane demonstration of the virtues of a U.S. military with a mission, the latest war pic from 20th Century Fox -- a studio with a proud tradition in this field -- couldn't be better timed to fit the popular mood.Read the full review

As it is, Behind Enemy Lines will satisfy only those in search of a rousingly, if simplistically, patriotic bloodbath.Read the full review

There's nothing very rockin' about seeing Gene Hackman give a rare indifferent performance as a Navy admiral trying to effect a rescue for which his hands are tied.Read the full review

We, the people, are meant to cheer in response, but the spirit isn't willing. War is hell, but so is peace -- at least when it comes to movies in a no-man's-land like this one.Read the full review