There’s still a couple of Tony Scott films that I haven’t written about, and I’ll be honest, I hadn’t seen Enemy of the State since it hit video back in the day. I don’t remember what I thought of it at the time, which means I probably didn’t care for it.

So what did I think in the rewatch? I greatly enjoyed this film, I love Scott’s shooting and editing style, the color saturation of the frame, the constant motion, and he has this thing packed with stars. Leading the film is Will Smith and Gene Hackman (who doesn’t appear until 57 minutes into the film!). They are joined by Jon Voight, Gabriel Byrne, Seth Green, Jack Black, Jake Busey, Scott Caan, Jason Lee, Regina King, Lisa Bonet, Stuart Wilson, Jamie Kennedy, and Barry Pepper.

Jon Voight is Reynolds a politician with plans for a large, sweeping bill to pass that will allow for in depth surveillance of the citizenry. And he’s not above having murder committed to get his way. Unfortunately, he was recorded in the act, and the recording is now in the hands of a lawyer, Robert Dean (Smith).

And Reynolds is going to use all of the surveillance power in the hands of the government to track down Dean, and completely disrupt his life, vilify him in the eyes of the media and his family.

If he can get in touch with a surveillance expert, Brill (Hackman), who lives his life doused in safety and paranoia, maybe there will be a way Dean can get his life back, and stop Reynolds. There are big action beats, lots of tech dialogue, and a fantastic cast playing things to the hilt.

Featuring a driving score by Trevor Rabin and Harry Gregson-Williams, the movie races along. And while I may have had some issues, or just didn’t care for it when I watched it originally, this time around, it worked. And it’s no surprise that the surveillance is everywhere. We know this is the world we exist in, and it’s hard to imagine a time when it wasn’t like that. Well, hard for some of us. I grew up in the 70s and 80s.

Hackman is great, and he’s spared from having to deliver a lot of techno-babble. That comes from other characters throughout the film, and it’s just amazing to see so many familiar faces.

It’s a fast-moving story, and works pretty well. Hackman is walking through the role, but is still great, and Smith is solid as a man on the run, seeking to clear his name, and deliver justice and stop the baddies.