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Basic

Play trailer Poster for Basic R,  2003,  1h 38m,  Mystery & Thriller/ Crime/ Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 21% 140 Reviews Tomatometer 62% 50,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
21% Tomatometer 140 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
During special operations training mission in Panama, four U.S. soldiers are killed mysteriously, and their leader, Sgt. Nathan West, goes missing. A military investigator, Capt. Julia Osborne, has trouble convincing the two survivors to talk about what happened that night. A more experienced investigator, Tom Hardy, is brought in to crack the case. However, when the survivors do start talking, their stories differ from one another.
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Critics Consensus

Basic gets so needlessly convoluted in its plot twists that the viewer eventually loses interest.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Sep 30, 2010
1/5
Basically bad and sorry attempt at a thriller. Go to Full Review
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Mar 31, 2010
Director John McTiernan does a swell job with James Vanderbilt's sneaky script in keeping us guessing. Go to Full Review
Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Jun 19, 2003
2/4
Granted, it's not Rollerball, and that in itself could be considered a small blessing. Unfortunately, it's only a small one, but I guess I shouldn't be too picky. Go to Full Review
Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed Apr 29, 2009
A poor effort with a confusing story and ridiculous plot twist after plot twist. Go to Full Review
Jim Lane Sacramento News & Review Aug 7, 2008
1/5
Film Threat Dec 6, 2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Apr 2, 2019 John McTiernan at his best, a terrific thriller with a surprising and catchy storyline.
Mar 24, 2019 I'd say it was one of the worst movies I ever watched if it hadn't made any sense
Han R Feb 21, 2019 I get why most critics didn't like this movie, there so many twist that are too confusing and sometimes silly to most movie goers. I have to watch this movie twice to get it and a third time to get everything. But even after getting everything, I'am aware that there are silly stuff in it and plot holes. Nevertheless, the movie is so good in everything else and just hits me the right way. It makes you think and engaged, at least for me, I love movies like that. Great performances, very nice though confusing narrative, good story, paced well, and there is no fat, every scene is needed. Maybe it's just me but I really love this movie from the first time I watched it way back in 2003. See more
Anakin R Jan 13, 2019 A great Movie. The Key to the Movie is Samuel L Jackson's comment about this being a 'Rattle the Cage' operation. all understanding flows from that. See more
Poe W Aug 4, 2018 This movie pulls you in to its twist and turns. Even though you think you know what's coming....you don't.
Hermione M Jul 24, 2018 Don't Know why this movie gets so much hate. Its genuinely interesting and has solid twists. Great acting for sure from Trevolta, and Jackson. I think these movie snobs just love sticking their noses up at movies to seem cultured. Its easy to make reviews when you know if the movie has done well or not at the box office, or if you know its going to be controversial. I never trust critics, they're all Sheep. See more
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Basic

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Movie Info

Synopsis During special operations training mission in Panama, four U.S. soldiers are killed mysteriously, and their leader, Sgt. Nathan West, goes missing. A military investigator, Capt. Julia Osborne, has trouble convincing the two survivors to talk about what happened that night. A more experienced investigator, Tom Hardy, is brought in to crack the case. However, when the survivors do start talking, their stories differ from one another.
Director
John McTiernan
Producer
Mike Medavoy, Arnie Messer, Michael Tadross, James Vanderbilt
Screenwriter
James Vanderbilt
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Phoenix Pictures, InterMedia Film Equities Ltd.
Rating
R (Violence|Language)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 18, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$26.5M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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