Roman Sampson
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
Lucia Ayala
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
Deanna
There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
A_Different_Drummer
If humankind ever evolved to the point where godlike feats were remotely possible, we'd be in big trouble, but the first order of business would no doubt be to go back to the garden of Eden and remake everything. Not that it needed remaking. Just for the challenge. And the paycheck.I am not usually so sassy about remakes -- actors have got to eat, agents have to make deals, the maw that is cable TV needs to be fed -- but this one gets under my craw.The original wasn't merely good, it wasn't merely great, it was perfect, it was so good that the original A-B rolls should have been sent directly to a film museum instead of merely being stored. The original had some of the best performance on record from three of the best actors of all time - I am talking Lancaster, Douglas and March. And writing by Serling. I mean, it does not get any better than that.But try telling THAT to the clowns behind this production. In fairness it is not all bad. Whitaker has achieved in his career what some like to call "journeyman" status, he can take almost any role and make it real. Waterston was a delight to watch then, still is now. And Dana Delaney, well, let's just say that the high watermark of her career might just be her Lois Lane voice, and leave it at that.But here is thing, and this should be a cautionary tale for other producers whose reach exceeds their grasp. Even before you started production on THE ENEMY WITHIN, the odds, the probabilities, the Sigmas, of making this equal to or better than the original were slim and none. And Slim had just left the building.So kind viewer you have a clear choice. Watch this for passable entertainment.Or track down the original for the film experience of a lifetime.Up to you.
lightswift74
Nice little suspense film from HBO. Does a good job of building up to the climax, but then falters. I felt the ending was very "convenient," and not believable. I did not see the original, so I'm not sure if it had the same ending. As the film progresses, we get to see Forest Whitaker do some mini-marathons throughout the city. This film reminded me of a cross between "No Way Out" and "The Shadow Conspiracy." No Way Out was also a military conspiracy film and had George Dzundza in a supporting role. "The Shadow Conspiracy," an awful film starring Charlie Sheen, was also about a government conspiracy revolving around a plot to assassinate the President from within the Government. Coincidentally, Sam Waterston plays the President in that too.
Matthew Kresal
The Enemy Within is a well-done remake of one of my favorite films Seven Days In May. While of course not as good as the 1964 classic this film still packs quite a punch despite being too briskly paced and lacking Rod Serling's script.Forest Witiker does well as Colonel Cassey though he is a little hard to watch at times. Sam Waterston does well as the Southern President and its a shame we don't see more of him. Dana Delaney really doesn't add much to the film but she plays a necessary role in the film. And of Jason Robards does well as the villain of the film as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General R. Pendleton Lloyd.While there are numerous subplots removed and some added (though the Russians weren't really needed in this film) the film still manages to be true to the classic's plot. The script manages to convey a sense of urgency in the story and the revelations are revealed in a nice manor. The film has a little bit of action in it and these scenes are mostly unnecessary but they don't hurt the film very much.Overall The Enemy Within is a better then average made for TV movie. As I wrote this film is not in the same caliber as the original film, it still manages to present a frightening and all-too possible scenario. A nice little suspense film to pass your time with and it's nothing more and nothing less then that.
Carrie_the_Oracle
It's so nice to see a film that came in on time, on budget. Too bad other reviewers thought it had to have special effects and overwrought melodrama to do it.In real life, sometimes simple conversation and dealing with real life are interwoven with basic heroics. You'd be surprised that people you know have done it and gone on with their lives without making the cover of People magazine or cleaning up on the rubber chicken circuit. Usually, it's the villains who do that, anyway. One traitor was even elected to office in Virginia and now has his own TV show.The conclusion is simple enough, doable by anyone, and it works. If you don't think this story can happen, you better think again.Been there, done that.As Elizabeth Taylor once said, the movies are like real life; they just have $50,000 worth of make-up and lighting.The lesson of this film, as is the solution here, is simple. But then so are most great ideas in history.
