The Siege

Arab-Americans protested this hot-button drama in which Islamic terrorists unleash a reign of terror in New York City. In fact, this deliberately-paced thriller is scrupulous in attempts to cover more politically-correct tracks. "They love this country as much as we do," proclaims FBI agent Anthony Hubbard (Denzel Washington in paragon, take-charge mode) of the Arab-American community. Less interested in action set pieces expected of a movie that stars Bruce Willis (as a misguided general who imposes martial law in Brooklyn), The Siege unexpectedly raises provocative issues about the cost to democracy when civil liberties are suspended. Annette Bening (in a severe haircut) makes a formidable foil for Washington as a CIA operative who is (literally) in bed with the enemy. Tony Shalhoub (Big Night) is memorable as Hubbard's partner, an (here's a coincidence) Islamic whose own son is interned by Willis's troops. Unfortunately, these disparate elements, not to mention Willis's one-note performance, lay siege to the film's credibility. An optional purchase. (K. Lee Benson)[DVD Review—May 15, 2007—Fox, 116 min., R, $19.98—Making its third appearance on DVD, 1998's The Siege (Martial Law Edition) features a fine transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. DVD extras include audio commentary by director-producer Edward Zwick and executive producer Peter Schindler, a 14-minute “making-of” featurette, a 14-minute “Taking New York” behind-the-scenes featurette, a “Freedom Is History” featurette (13 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a thought-provoking if uneven thriller.][Blu-ray Review—June 23, 2009—Fox, 116 min., R, $29.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1998's The Siege boasts a great transfer and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, but no extras. Bottom line: a disappointingly bare-bones Blu-ray debut of an uneven thriller.]