Movies

Mercury Rising is far from a masterpiece, the ending is choppy and the script has its weak spots. But it was the plot that was the main problem, despite its intriguing idea it is not only very thin and routine but some of it doesn't always make sense. However, the cinematography and editing are great, and there are enough tension and thrills to make up for the heavily flawed plot-line. The film is well-directed too, and the music has atmosphere while not being intrusive. The acting is fine, Bruce Willis is good in his role and his chemistry with Hughes feels natural, and Alec Baldwin is very chilling and detestable, but it is Miko Hughes who is excellent as the autistic child who carries the movie (being autistic myself I could relate to him). Overall, flawed but a decent film. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Somehow I must have missed "Mercury Rising" when it first appeared. Recently I purchased a cheap three movie DVD set of Willis films and was impressed by "The Jackal" but blown away by "Mercury Rising". Anyone without tears in his or her eyes at the wonderful last scene has never worked with sick or autistic or injured or emotionally troubled children. Miko Hughes is astounding as the autistic child. Kim Dickens strikes so many points perfectly it is amazing: vulnerable, normal, brave, frightened, kind, attractive, helpful. Bruce Willis is very good and Alec Baldwin is convincing as an intelligent man with an ethical system warped beyond human standards. For all the excitement of the chase movie, shoot 'em up, adventure, suspense parts (and they are well done) this is primarily a study of a traumatized agent and an exceptional and endangered child. Well worth watching!

"Mercury Rising" was better than I expected. The DVD picture was very good, and the DD 5.1 surround sound was pretty exciting at the right times. Set in Chicago, an autistic 9-yr old solves a puzzle and phones in a response, not having any idea what is going on. He cracked the uncrackable code and NSA officials decide the only way to protect the code is to "sacrifice" this defective boy. Willis' character protects the boy after his parents are killed, bad guys chase them, on the freeway, in the train, downtown in the street, in the hospital, people close to the operation are executed. Lots of action but the good guys prevail in the end. Pretty decent story, very good acting, exciting special effects, about as enjoyable as the Mel Gibson "Lethal Weapon" films. Pretty good action film, "7" of 10.