Tony Scott’s 1998 thriller Enemy of the State was the first film I
ever bought on DVD. Though that disc has since gone walkabout, I remember going
into my local Woolworths to buy a different film (an 18 Certificate whose title
I can’t remember) but was told by the lady on the checkout that I didn’t look
18 and had to choose another one. Being around 14 I panicked and grabbed Enemy of the State, attracted by the
picture of that guy from The Fresh Prince
of Bel Air on the cover. I remember enjoying the film all those years ago
and marvelling at how modern it was. Unfortunately it hasn’t aged particularly
well.
Will Smith plays D.C. Lawyer
Robert Dean who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy and high profile
assassination following a chance meeting with an old acquaintance from college.
Without knowing it, Dean takes into his possession a video tape containing
footage of the murder and is tracked by rogue NSA official Thomas Roberts (Jon
Voight). With nowhere else to turn, Dean tracks down a shady communications
expert called Brill (Gene Hackman) with the hope that he can clear up the mess
he finds himself in.