teamroper620
If the producers, screenwriters, and director would have actually read the book; they would have known they had a possible franchise that could possibly eclipse James Bond and Indiana Jones. I say this because I have read very one of Clive Cusslers Dirk Pitt novels and Dirk Pitt, in the novels, is a combination of James Bond and Indiana Jones. Dirk Pitt is a great character that has the potential, if done correctly, to be Hollywood gold. If you don't believe me, just read one of the Dirk Pitt novels. I would suggest starting with Pacific Vortex, the first one in the series.
adrianjherr
Somewhat ridiculous plot and occasionally corny script. The movie drags from around 1/3rd to 1/2 of the way through but then picks up and becomes more interesting. Respectable family friendly action movie.
hoplonite1
Enjoyable for 10 to 16-y-olds? Yes. It has everything a modern American adventure should have. But the clichés! If someone likes that sort of thing, fine. However, armed helicopters that never shoot straight; multiple armed river gunboats that aren't worth a damn against the heroic antics of the supreme amateur heroes of the movie;bad guys in the desert that sound French (of course, I'm surprised they don't sound Serb...); Stupid Washington officials that never listen or care even when the info is devastating; Escapes that only work in Heaven and Hollywood over-budgeted extravaganzas; You name it, this piece of star-studded waste has it. Oh, and the film is about industrial waste...What a waste of good money...4 out of 10 because of the immature audiences out there. But, aren't they tired of the same fast-food again and again? Seems not...
serafinogm
The opening Civil War battle scene alone is worth the price of admission. Then you sprinkle the movie with the irrepressible Matthew McConaughey, the smoldering and incredibly sexy Penélope Cruz, and the always entertaining Steve Zahn and you've the makings of something that could turn out quite well. Add an exciting and fun screenplay and you've got yourself a winner. I enjoyed this film immensely and have over the years put the CD (now Blu-ray disc) into the ole player sat back and had a bit of relaxed fun and even after the first and second watch excitement as well. This film is highly underrated and I hope with CD and Blu-ray sales it made some money because it simply deserved it. I wonder why the production budget was so high and am quite interested in trying to glean that bit of a puzzle out when the time presents itself. I loved the film and I think you might as well! I just performed some cursory research on why it cost over 200 million to produce and distribute Sahara. Here are just two I found and for the most part are just a cut and paste:1) About 1,000 cast and crew members worked on "Sahara." The highest- paid was McConaughey, who received an $8-million fee, or $615,385 for each week of filming, not including bonuses and other compensation. Lovely Penelope Cruz earned $1.6 million (deserved every penny of it). Whereas Rainn Wilson, who since has raised his profile through roles in "Six Feet Under" and "The Office," was paid $45,000 for 10 weeks of work.2) Ten screenwriters were paid almost $4 million in fees and bonuses — highlighting the increasingly common practice of hiring and firing numerous writers on big-budget features.Clearly these two items were not the cause for 160 million in production costs (and we're not even counting distribution costs, about another 90 million) so what did happen? It's almost like the organized crime produced this movie! I refuse to give a 10 to a movie that produced a huge loss for no apparent reason!
AD
