Preview: Traitor (2008)

• Poster: B-

Review:

The use of a fractured design hasn't quite reached the point of being overbearing. Fitting into the film's fractured plot, it fits almost entirely too well. However, the cobbled-together images aren't terribly inspiring.

• Trailer: C-; C+

Review:

Oh, joy. It's another "is he a traitor or isn't he" kind of film. It's immeditaely clear from the trailer that Don Cheadle's a dark hero, Guy Pearce is the villain and Jeff Daniels is caught in between (taking on a role perhaps similar to his The Lookout one). It will fail like most every other film that has even remotely touched on the conflicts in the Middle East.

This second trailer mostly removes the question of whether this guy is a traitor or not and moves the film closer to the typical espionage/FBI hunt film. It almost looks like a cross between The Fugitive and The Bourne Identity/Supremacy/Ultimatum. I can't say that's a good thing, but at least it's a touch more engaging than the first trailer.

Oscar Prospects:

The Kingdom was an immediately flop for Jamie Foxx and I see this film following that same path.

Release Date:

• August 27, 2008

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (May 18, 2008) Original

-Wesley Lovell (June 1, 2008) New Release Date (Changed from 8/29/08)

-Wesley Lovell (July 6, 2008) New Poster

-Wesley Lovell (July 13, 2008) New Trailer