The Librarian: Quest for the Spear

Inspired in equal measure by unabashedly retro action movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and the exotic high-adventure novels of Talbot Mundy and H. Rider Haggard, this made-for-TV movie combines an interesting premise with cute characters and theatrical-quality production values. ER's Noah Wyle plays Flynn Carsen, a thirtysomething egghead whose encyclopedic knowledge of ancient cultures lands him a job as curator of a secret museum that reposes beneath the mammoth New York Metropolitan Library. This subterranean structure houses many of the world's most amazing historical artifacts, among them the fabled Golden Fleece, the sword Excalibur, and even the Ark of the Covenant. When one of these incomparable treasures, the Spear of Destiny, is stolen from under his very nose, Flynn embarks upon a lengthy and dangerous quest to recover it. Wyle, definitely a sensitive, intellectual type rather than a rugged hero, is perfectly cast as the slightly dorky protagonist, and he's joined by Sonya Walger, playing no-nonsense soldier of fortune Nicole Noone. Twin Peaks' Kyle MacLachlan makes a suave villain, and Kelly Hu is bloodcurdling as his lethal henchwoman, although--as good as the principal players are--it's Bob Newhart who very nearly steals the show as a hardboiled ex-Marine with seemingly magical powers. Director Peter Winther, obviously aware that he's working with familiar plot material, does his best to play up the relationship between mild-mannered Flynn and tough-as-nails Nicole. Librarians will, of course, notice a few profession-related errors (chief among them is the fact that Flynn does not have an M.L.S.), but most will watch this one for the action, and on that level, the film is reasonably satisfying. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a visual effects featurette with commentary on selected scenes by director Peter Winther (5 min.), an introduction by star Noah Wyle (3 min.), a two-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a fun film.] (E. Hulse)