Knight & Day

A really old looking Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz come together for an out and out action thriller in Knight & Day. I think the last time these 2 acted together would have been Vanilla Sky (correct me if I am wrong) when they were probably looking half their age. I haven’t seen Vanilla Sky yet but have heard that it was a disaster. Will keep u guys posted about the same when I get around to seeing it.


June Havens (Diaz) specializes in refurbishing used old cars. She bumps into Roy Miller (Cruise) on her way to Boston for her sister’s wedding. Roy, the smooth operator that he is, uses June as a mule to carry a certain something for him. Of course this is done without her knowing about it. However, she cannot board her flight coz it is called full.

But a set of secret agents (don’t know which organization at this stage of the movie) ensure that she manages to make it on board. Funnily she is the only civilian on board. Everyone else, the pilot included in a matter of a few minutes has been changed to be an agent who is out to kill Roy. A superb fight sequence and a plane crash later, Roy escapes but ensures that June is safely returned to her home.

The agents who now pose as the FBI pick up June for questioning but obviously realize they have hit a dead end. They are about to dispose her off when Roy reappears to save her. A fabulous car chase sequence ensues.

The cool agent that Roy is, he explains the situation to June about how he is carrying with him a perpetual energy source called the Zephyr, a battery that lasts for ever, and that the people who are after him and June are really the bad guys – not him. This battery was made by a geek called Simon Feck (Paul Dano) who is also being protected by Roy.

Turns out that there is not 1 but 2 organisations after him – The CIA (not FBI) and a Spanish arms dealer, Antonio (Jordi Molla).

James Mangold’s previous efforts have probably superseded this one. Somehow difficult to believe that this is the same guy who directed Kate & Leopold, Walk the Line and Girl, Interupted. Quite mushy movies right as compared to the one in question right. But I guess 3:10 to Yuma was more action oriented. However, something tells me that if someone like Jerry Bruckhiemer OR John Woo would have done so much of a better job with it. Some of the car chases are executed quite patchily. It clearly shows the use of a blue screen. Seen much older movies and for that matter some locally made movies as well executed in a much better manner.

Cruise and Diaz as mentioned, have started looking their age. Somehow cannot relate to Cruise doing this Mission Impossible / Miority Report kind of roles. However, he seems to be able to just about pull it off. Diaz on the other hand manages to execute her role of a not so bright blonde to near perfection. The support cast does not give much to crow about. Not too many dialogues or one liners worth writing home about. Also, the fun aspect is limited to June fainting over and over again over the same drug.

The background score is actually a stand out in the movie. Very different from what a typical action movie would use. Not the usual heavy metal, thrash metal types. some reggae, some hip hop, some lounge and many other genres all baked in. But all of it blend beautifully. Must get a copy of soundtrack if possible.

It is also a whirlwind trip of sorts through some of the most exotic locations in the world. Begins with Boston but moves into Andalucia, Spain, Jamaica, LA, Salzburg.

Knight & Day takes you through a series of fabulous car chases, Plane Crashes, island bombings and great fun indeed. An all out man movie positively. Not too many women would enjoy the show but guys… you are in for a fabulous ride I am sure!!!! Not the best movie made for sure. I would give it 5 on 10. Which coincidentally is better than what I expected it to be. I was quite sure that K&D would not get more than 1.5 or 2 in my books. Pleasantly surprised. What kind of upsets you is that the movie had the potential to move to the 7 on 10 level if executed correctly.