Sneakers (1992) User Reviews (152)

Interesting hacker movie for its time

[Mike-DD · 8/10 · 24 August 2000]

Given that this came out in 1992, the level of technology in it is amazing. I watched this twice, the latest in 1999, and still am amazed at some of the things they can do with computers. Of course, some hacking techniques are commonplace and outdated now, but it is still engrossing to see these acts in action.

Watching it a second time gives you a sense of perspective though. Back then, to think that a chip that can control the world was preposterous, but now, with almost everything microchip-controlled, and the ubiquity of the Internet, that thought is not too farfetched.

Talking in movie terms, this ranks as one of the better ones that center around computers. There is some solid acting, and though there are sub-plots within the main plot, they do not grow so much so as to overwhelm the main storyline, which is basically a group of men hired to find the chip-that-controls-everything.

Guilty Pleasure

[Rushmore_Elite · 7/10 · 14 March 2005]

There are a bunch of movies which might not be GREAT, but really good, and you can watch them over and over again. Rainy day movies. "Sneakers" is without a doubt such a movie.

It is a lightweight caper which gets into a higher division thanks to the acting: Redford is always good, as is Strathairn, Kingsley and McDonnell. The other actors do a really good job as well, but these four stand out in my opinion.

There are twists and turns in the script, Great San Francisco locations and lots of underplayed humor in this film, all contributing to that the movie can be seen several times.

Take it for what it is, and you'll have a really good time in front of the TV.

Amazing bit of trivia in the middle of this film makes it even more entertaining today!

[Larry41OnEbay-2 · 7/10 · 23 March 2020]

At a key point in the plot, the device that might be able to get past any computer encrypted password needs to be tested. Carl (River Phoenix) is asked what is the hardest computer to hack into, "give me the number for something impossible to access." He answers, "The Federal Reserve transfer node, Culpeper, Virginia." Mother (Dan Aykroyd) adds, "900 billion a day goes through there."

Between December 10, 1969 and July 1992, this same building in Culpeper housed four computers through which the majority of transactions of the 5,700 US banks were processed. It was also a bomb bunker that stored about four billion dollars cash. These cash reserves and computers could be used to keep business transactions going on throughout the eastern half of the United States in the event that Washington DC was bombed in a nuclear war making cash there radioactive and unusable. Interestingly this build was decommissioned in June of 1992 just months before the film "Sneakers" opened in September of 1992. Since 2007 this building has been home to the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center at the Packard Campus of the Library of Congress where over 6 million items of the nation's audio recordings, television and motion pictures are stored and preserved, including the copyright print of "Sneakers."

Wonderfully scored, thinking ahead of its time . . .

[Jonnyboy · 15 November 1998]

Despite its relative obscurity, Sneakers is quickly becoming a cult favorite of the internet generation. It's a perfect blend of romance, tech and adventure that highlights the increasing importance of information. The always beautiful Mary McDonnell as Liz doesn't hurt, either. The soundtrack is arguably the best of James Horner's film scores pre-dating Braveheart, with an ethereal jazzy feel that sets the mood from the opening credits.

For an early nineties movie, Sneakers was remarkably forward thinking in its script and plot. Many of its themes have only become more relevant with the flowering of the data network. All in all a great film for those of you who enjoy flicks like Hudson Hawk or Mission Impossible.

Light-Hearted Caper Film

[treeskier802 · 7/10 · 25 June 2007]

I was drawn to Sneakers because I heard the story was of my favorite genre, a spy thriller. However, I found this movie to be more along the lines of a caper film.

Robert Redford is the leader of a team of experts who break into security systems so that institutions (such as banks) can see how good their system is. The team is made up of a diverse group: an ex-Cia agent (Portier) and three computer whizzes (Ackroyd, Phoenix, and the blind Stratharn). The group has great chemistry and often this leads to some fun humor.

Redford and his team are hired by the government (so they believe) to retrieve a black box that can decode encrypted computer firewalls. After retrieving the black box, the team finds themselves in dire trouble.

I was hoping the film would be more intense, yet Sneakers incorporates a lot of humor. It is a fun film and is enjoyable to watch, but if you are looking for a true spy film, then you may want to pass.

This film more closely resembles recent movies like Ocean's 11 or The Italian Job, popcorn films that have some laughs, some danger, and some suspense.

Redford is really great in this movie as is Straitarn; Mary McDonnell is also very good. Phoenix holds his own. Although far from their best roles, Poitier, James Earl Jones, Ackroyd, and Ben Kingsley are decent.

Overall an enjoyable film which incorporates computer hacking before it was mainstream. Rating 7 of 10 stars.

Has dated well but a very 'light' thriller.

[SmokeyTee · 6/10 · 2 July 2012]

I thought this was a GREAT film when it released and saw it a few times - I guess I was 16 or so at the time.

Seeing it again it is a by-the-numbers caper film. James Horner's music sets the mood often over-the-top intense or super light "boy's adventure"...

There is a lot of 'humor' which is very light and usually very dry. I think this film, despite it's being a tricksy one is best for oldies who can keep up.

The story is a simple double caper setup - steal the goods and then steal them again except harder. But anyone watching will notice that for a bunch of crack security experts the characters behave a little stupidly...

Plot holes, occasional sub-par dialogue, out-of-place music and characters that are a bit dull this remains a solid, undemanding thriller.

Flawed but Entertaining

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 28 January 2015]

In 1969, the idealistic hackers Martin Brice and Cosmos use the computer to transfer funds from conservative politicians to liberal causes. Martin goes out of the building to buy a pizza for them and Cosmos is arrested. Twenty years later, Cosmos has died in prison and Brice use the alias Martin "Marty" Bishop (Robert Redford) to run a company that tests security systems with the specialists Donald Crease (Sidney Poitier) that is a former CIA agent; the blind Irwin 'Whistler' Emery (David Strathairn) that is specialist in sounds; Darren 'Mother' Roskow (Dan Aykroyd) that is an awesome technician that believes in theories of conspiracy; and Carl Arbogast (River Phoenix) that is a young genius.

One day, the NSA agents Dick Gordon (Timothy Busfield) and Buddy Wallace (Eddie Jones ) visit Martin's office and he is blackmailed by them that know his real identity. They want that Martin and his crew retrieve a black box from Dr. Gunter Janek (Donal Logue), a mathematician that developed a cryptography system for the Russian government in a project called Setec Astronomy. In return, they would clear his name and give US$ 175,000.00 for Martin and his team. Martin asks his former girlfriend Liz (Mary McDonnell) to help him and soon they recover the box and deliver to the NSA agents. Soon Martin learns that he was lured by Dick and Wallace, and Janek that was murdered was working indeed for the National Security Agency in a system capable to break any computer encryption. Further, he has been incriminated in the murder of Janek and two other men and his only way out of the trap he is involved is recovering once again the black box.

"Sneakers" is an entertaining thriller with a promising beginning, good development and flawed and deceptive conclusion. Robert Redford and Ben Kingsley are too old for the role of two men that twenty years before were college students. It would be more logical to cast two actors of thirty and something years old. But they are great actors and the viewer may disregard this detail along the action and suspense of the movie. But the conclusion with the dangerous Wallace, Dick and Cosmos alive and free would be a constant threat for Martin and his team. NSA Director Bernard Abbott offers whatever they want and none of them request protection from Cosmos and the rogue agents. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil) : "Quebra de Sigilo" ("Break of Secrecy")

The last good hacking movie

[tek-9 · 10/10 · 11 July 2003]

I was saddened that this movie had such a low rating. I've watched it many, many times over the years, and it continues to entertain. It is, perhaps, the last good "hacker" film (well, 23 (1998) also comes to mind, but that isn't widely available in English).

The math is believable (Janek's lecture makes sense), as is the technology (except for the Hollywood-ish decryption displays -- but that's forgivable). The characters are among the most realistic in any of these movies (with the exception of Joey the lamer in Hackers (1995) -- most accurate character in a hacking movie I've seen yet). They're each composites of well-known people from the 80s security scene. The techniques they use are the techniques of the business, especially in that era.

Now that computers have become such a big thing, I don't think it would be possible for Hollywood to produce another movie like this. Anything made now would have to be far more glamorous and unrealistic.

What's this movie got, if you don't care about any of that stuff? It's tremendously funny, cleverly written (every scene works overtime to say and do more than one thing), and beautifully shot and scored. (The opening scene and transition is wonderful) The acting is priceless. I've never met someone who didn't love this film. See it.

one of those movies that you never expect

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 29 June 2005]

In 1992, when "Sneakers" came out, the Internet was just getting off the ground. What they portray in this movie seems more like what one would expect to find in a 21st century movie. Robert Redford and Sidney Poitier play hackers, with an entire syndicate made up of Dan Aykroyd, David Strathairn and River Phoenix. Following a few strange incidents, the whole group finds itself involved in a vast, bizarre scheme. The movie isn't totally easy to follow, but the occasional comedic bits make up for that (namely the Scrabble scene, the voice recording, and the end). Not any kind of masterpiece, but worth watching nonetheless, what with its mixture of suspense and goofiness.

An endlessly watchable movie. 10/10

[Tim Gomersall · 10/10 · 3 August 1999]

This film is the one film of the nineties which I can watch again and again without getting bored. That's not to say it's the best, no no no, but there's something about this movie which I just can't get enough of. It's easily the most frequently used tape in my limited video library.

Mainly it's the cast; quality names down the length of the list, and each one, from Robert Redford heading the motley crew of good guys (Dan Ackroyd and Sidney Poitier especially good) to Ben Kingsley as a deliciously cool but insecure villain. They're all clearly having such a good time as they're making the movie that you can't help but join them; it's infectious.

It's also surprisingly timeless. Seven years have passed since this movie came out, which is a long time in the gadget world in which this film is based, but none of their equipment or techniques (except a brief glimpse of a now outdated version of Windows but that's REALLY nitpicking) seem out of date; it could still be today.

And then there's the moments. This is a film based on a whole load of brilliantly memorable moments. When they find out what the mysterious black box actually does, it's truly chilling. All the little tricks of their trade on display are each a delight, from setting off fire alarms to being on the other end of the phone when the fire service is subsequently called. And the ending, in my opinion, is one of the most satisfying, and hilarious, conclusions ever captured on film.

In case you hadn't noticed, I love this movie. A great score, a great cast, and a whole lot of fun. Whether you got to these comments because you want to know if this film was worth seeing, or whether a training shoe web-search somehow ended you up here against your will, you really should see this film. It's a hugely entertaining piece of the nineties. And Robert Redford has done nothing better since.

EARLY HACKER MOVIE...LIKE HIGH-TOP CHUCKS...HAS WORN WELL...FUN ALL-STAR ROMP...BLENDS SUSPENSE & COMEDY

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 9 August 2021]

It's Always been Troublesome When Movies are Wrapped Around Computer Technology Usually with Disastrous Results. Mainly Because the Tech and Know-How Changes so Rapidly that the Movies are Usually "Dated" Out-of-the-Box.

Although this Star-Studded Movie Does, Now and Then, Show its Age.

Usually it's for Brief Moments and Really Doesn't Impair the Overall Plot and Machinations that the Hackers Employ.

What Helps Immensely is the Light-Touch that the Film Maintains from the Get-Go.

Everybody's in on the Fun Immediately and the Movie Flows and Glows with Outstanding Characters, a Witty Script, and Good-Looking, Spunky Images.

Despite the Big-Cast and Big-Budget and Marketed as Cutting-Edge Computer Stuff, it Fizzled at the Box-Office and Received Luke-Warm Reviews.

The Movie has Gained a Cult Following Since.

A Welcome Change-of-Pace for the Spy Genre and is One that can be Enjoyed by the Whole Family with its Soft PG-13 Rating.

How do I join?

[dylanhydes · 10/10 · 9 March 2001]

I resent another IMDB user's assumption that anyone who likes this movie has got to have an IQ of 2. What exactly does that mean? I am an intelligent moviegoer and I loved Sneakers. And I know others who are much more intelligent than me and some who I would even guess are certifiable geniuses who also loved this movie.

This movie is captivating. As other people have written, Sneakers can be watched over and over again. Its a suspense thriller that doesn't try to blind you with so many special effects that you lose sight of the fact that less than five minutes was used to create and edit the script (ie. Mission Impossible 2).

This is a fun movie for anybody who is a team player. Its very entertaining to see how each member of Redford's team brings an essential element to the task at hand. There are a couple of scenes where some things are far fetched, but nothing outside the rhelm of possibility. There is nothing that makes you groan in disgust, as if say you were watching any scene in a John Woo film. For a movie like this to work it has to be believable, and this is believable.

Sneakers is original in its ideas and the characters are very likable. Even the villian possesses qualities that make you like him. Each character is developed enough so that by the end of the movie you want to be a part of the team. Its just that much fun to watch. 10/10

Sneakers (1992): Nostalgic Tech Thriller with a Solid 7/10

[simeononsecurity · 7/10 · 26 November 2023]

"Sneakers," the 1992 tech thriller directed by Phil Alden Robinson, holds a special place in the hearts of technology enthusiasts and fans of the espionage genre. While it may not have reached the cinematic heights of some contemporaries, its nostalgic charm and clever plot warrant a respectable 7/10 rating.

The film boasts an ensemble cast led by Robert Redford, who delivers a charismatic performance as Martin Bishop, the leader of a team of security experts. The chemistry among the cast, including Dan Aykroyd, Sidney Poitier, and River Phoenix, adds a delightful touch to the narrative, making it a joy to watch.

What earns "Sneakers" its merit is its unique blend of technology, humor, and suspense. The plot revolves around a device capable of breaking any encryption, setting the stage for a classic caper with high stakes. The exploration of hacking and surveillance techniques in the early '90s provides a nostalgic trip for viewers interested in the evolution of cybersecurity.

The film's strength lies in its ability to balance the technical aspects of hacking with a lighthearted tone. The humor injected into the dialogue and situations helps maintain an engaging pace, preventing the film from becoming overly serious or bogged down by its technological premise.

However, the film does have its shortcomings. Some may find the plot twists predictable, and the pacing, while generally solid, occasionally wavers. The representation of hacking, though innovative for its time, may feel somewhat dated to modern audiences accustomed to more advanced depictions of cybersecurity in film and television.

In retrospect, "Sneakers" deserves credit for being ahead of its time in exploring the intersection of technology and espionage. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the essence of the early days of hacking culture while delivering an entertaining and well-executed story. While not a flawless masterpiece, it certainly merits a 7/10 rating for its contribution to the genre and its ability to entertain audiences with a mix of wit, suspense, and a touch of technological nostalgia.

Clicheed, forced, heavy-handed - barely enjoyable

[mihai_s · 5/10 · 4 January 2006]

I fail to see why this movie has a decent rating. While it has the basic recipe for an enjoyable movie (strong cast, good premise, quirky characters), the movie is often predictable, the technological stuff makes no sense sometimes (even for computers of that time), a lot of characters are unbelievably clichéd (like the conspiracy-theorist on the team, which does basically nothing besides play his minor part in pulling their various heists or deliver conspiracy theories one-liners - supposedly to provide some comic relief). At times, the script is illogic (Redford needs the woman he brings on the team so badly why exactly?, and a team of con and tech artists does not take the least precaution to make sure people are who they say they are - I could see all the 'twists' a mile away). Sometimes, the movie has the believability and humor of a B-grade teen movie (such as the 'date' she goes on with the "mark"). Even when we get to the core of the movie (the tech they employ to plan and execute a heist), there is nothing really interesting or novel. All in all, a movie that tries to be tech-savvy, suspenseful, funny and make you ask some questions, but is riddled with believability and logic holes, very little humor, and terribly clichéd characters (plain cartoony at times). 5/10 (partially enjoyable - only watch if you've got nothing better to do)

A hacker classic.

[t_woolery · 22 October 2003]

Sneakers is still fun to watch after 12 years and it was a great look at the time in which it was made. 12 years ago, the Cold War just ended and nobody was really sure how things were going to shape up geopolitically. Sneakers captured that mood perfectly and kept things tense with the soundtrack, locations and set work.

It's got the best balance of technical accuracy verses ease of viewing that I've ever seen on film. Not too many cartoon-like computer interfaces but no staring for minutes at a time at command line interfaces. Sneakers also gets points for being in the Bay Area and traveling among places that I visit every day (Hills Brother Coffee Building for the 'box drop' and the Dumbarton Bridge - for starters). Actors have fun with their roles although it's obvious that Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford, Ben Kingsley and James Earl Jones are not delivering their A-Game. It doesn't matter, it doesn't make it any less fun to watch. I like Phil Alden Robinson's camera movements; don't forget to look for the long, low slide across the Scrabble pieces right in a pivotal moment of the plot.

The movie still retains some relevance today. Ben Kingsley offers that gem " world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!" gains some credibility especially in the face of the post-9/11 news reporting on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News. Trash-diving is still a viable option to gain information on your opponent and social engineering will always work to help you gain some information.

Sneakers is still one of the best mainstream treatments on the subject of hacking. Watch, learn, enjoy.

Compelling thriller with sensational cast and a lot of plot twists , suspenseful and intriguing events

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 29 October 2022]

Martin Bishop (Robert Redford) is the head of a bunch of expert technicians (Sidney Poitier, David Strathairn, Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix) who specialize in testing security systems. The security pro finds his past going back to haunt him, when he is blackmailed by two government agents (Timothy Busfield , Eddie Jones) into stealing a top secret black box , the team find themselves embroiled into a twisted plot and a cat and mouse game against a powerful criminal organization . As his unique group are tasked with retrieving a particularly important item. Of course , nothing is as it seems. We could tell you what it's about. But then, of course, we'd have to kill you. To trust can be murder. A burglar, a spy, a fugitive, a delinquent, a hacker, and a piano teacher... and these are the good guys.

Competent thriller about five computer hackers with questionable pasts and and equally questionable goverment job that become involved into a game of danger and intrigue , resulting in unexpected consequences . The flick deals with the impact of a factoring breakthrough on encryption, being the main issue a strange box which they discover that it has the capability to decode all existing encryption systems around the world. Rather slow-going considering the talents and intrigue involved that includes twists and turns enough to keep a spectator's interest . Stars Robert Redford giving a nice acting in his usual style . Well accompanied by a very good cast , such as : Sidney Poitier , David Strathairn , Dan Aykroyd , River Phoenix , Timothy Busfield , Eddie Jones , Mary McDonnell , Stephen Tobolowski , George Earn , Donald Logue and especial showing up from the great Ben Kingsley . Furthermore , a brief acting by veteran James Earl Jones at a fun final appearance.

Displaying a thrilling as well as sensitive musical score by James Horner . Likewise , a colorful and adequate cinematography by John Lindley . The motion picture was competently directed by Phil Alden Robinson who was born in 1950 in Long Beach, Long Island, New York. He is a good craftsman , a writer and director, who has written/directed a few films , being especially known for Field of Dreams (1989) , Sneakers (1992) ,Freedom song (2000) and The sum of all fears (2002) . Rating : 6.5/10. Better than average . Well worth watching . The flick will appeal to Robert Redford fans . Essential and indispensable seeing for thriller enthusiasts.

Sneakers

[henry8-3 · 7/10 · 2 April 2021]

Redford and crew break into company systems to help those companies find their security flaws. When a device is stolen that can hack into most government systems, the NSA hire them to help get it back, with inevitable complications.

Fun and somewhat complex thriller highlighting the risks associated with government reliance of computers, made ever so enjoyable by a stellar cast all firing witty banter off each other. Not overly strong on the thrills front, but nice to see the team of stars working together and clearly enjoying themselves.

A great night in with a top cast having fun.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 4 March 2008]

"I could have joined the NSA but they found out my parents were married!"

The DVD box proudly proclaims that the film is one of the most satisfying suspense films ever! Naturally this is hyperbole from the marketing department, but it's stuff like that that can make or break the chance of a viewers expectation level being achieved.

I opened this write up with a funny line spoken by Robert Redford because having just finished the film I feel all jolly, and that is a priceless thing after watching one of the most suspenseful films ever! (groan). This film is a multi genre offering, it has pretty much most bases covered and features a cast of actors from different eras clearly enjoying the work that they are doing. There is no earth shattering twists or performances to match, it's a tight and intelligent script that's written to provide two hours of pure entertainment. It does have suspense, and it does make you think about how technology can be an incredible tool/weapon, but chiefly the film is one that you all can watch during a night in and be safe in the knowledge that your rental or TV time hasn't been wasted. 7.5/10

Footnote: The ending is fabulous, I really should go for a higher rating purely for the incredulous looks that James Earl Jones gives as the final reel draws to a close.

Wow, this movie speaks in 2023

[mikegordon68 · 10/10 · 30 January 2023]

It's been years since I last watched this before today. One interesting moment was when the statement was made that the modern world is run off 1's and 0's, not weapons and wars.

Another is "my voice is my passport please verify me " this is access that is required for access for high level workers to access classified information, which Wells Fargo now offers that security access over the phone. The only difference now is the term is "my voice is my password".

This movie likely inspired movies like Oceans Eleven and Enemy of the State as well as other geeky man vs the system films. Still fun and revenant to watch today. I highly recommend it...

The Good & Bad Of 'Sneakers'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 6/10 · 12 August 2006]

GOOD NEWS - A very entertaining thriller, for the most part, that kept my attention for the full 126 minutes. It had some neat high-tech gadgetry and had a big-name cast of Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, River Phoenix, David Straithairn, Mary McDonnnel and Sidney Poitier.

THE BAD - More of the tiresome and typical Liberal propaganda that tells us the U.S. Government is the "bad guy'" the radical Left are the good guys (yes, the same ones who blew up a lot of buildings and killed people in the name of peaceful protest). The film also had a very unrealistic and stupid ending. I was also sorry to hear (but not surprised) Redford and Poitier both blaspheme throughout the movie.

Better than I remember

[rogerboltin-767-487684 · 8/10 · 1 July 2021]

A friend and I were discussing River Phoenix yesterday so last night I decided to watch this movie again for the first time in a while. Let me put this out there first. This isnt an Oscar movie but its really fun. Also for 1992 the technology they are showing didn't exist. There is a lot of "you couldnt do that in 1969/1992 on the internet". Those are my only criticisms. That being said a better cast cannot be found. Its got heavy hitters. The chemistry is great. The pacing is well done. I can watch this over and over. Whats disturbing is how well.it actually forecasts the role of data in our lives now. Theres actually dialog that gets very Edward Snowden-ish that I didn't catch in the 90's or early 2000s. But is so in your face in 2021. That being said I would so watch it again.

Sillier than 'War Games'

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 19 September 2005]

'Sneakers' is not, whatever its name suggests, a movie about a pair of trainers, but a generic thriller that manages to combine an odd combination of vices: it's slick, but also slow. Eschewing the possibilities offered by the relationship between hero (played by Robert Redford) and his estranged friend (a shamefully under-used Ben Kingsley), the film takes refuge instead in empty pseudo-science and impossibly contrived operations. The result sits halfway between 'Oceans's Eleven' and 'War Games', but without the riotous entertainment of the former, or the importance of human psychology (and not just mythical technology) in the plot of the latter. A strange scene at the end is played for pure comedy, and provides a final indication that the film-makers didn't really know what they were doing here. It's not unwatchable, by any means, but certainly a waste of its A-list cast.

High Quality Hollywood Entertainment - Not Made Aymore

[PartTimeCritic · 8/10 · 25 February 2023]

Is great old fashioned entertainment that is easy to watch and follow, handsome in production, filled with likable characters, and deep enough for substantive reflection, without ever becoming pretentious or a chore. Martin Bishop, played by Robert Redford exuding his natural charisma, is the head of an independent "Sneakers" team who are hired to do things like break into banks to discover their weaknesses. The "Sneakers" team is composed of one of the most likable crews ever assembled in film: Sidney Poitier's grizzled ex-CIA man, Dan Akroyd's conspiracy theory spinning tech man, David Strathairn's blind phone hacker, and young River Phoenix's hacker Carl. Throw in Mary McDonnell was a romantic interest (she always brings a certain strength and intelligence to her side unfortunately sidelines characters) and a committed idealogue villain played by Ben Kingsley and you have one of the most enjoyable casts assembled in a film like this. In fact, the feeling you get from the cast here is the feeling you get from a great sitcom, that you could just sit around for hours and enjoy hanging out with these guys in real life. This cast is put to good use in a spy story that never lags and unfolds with one great scene after another. Redford's low on cash "Sneakers" team is hired by the NSA to steal a mysterious black box from a cryptography professor and when they discover the box is a machine that can decrypt any computer system they realize ANY government would kill for it. Soon they discover they weren't hired by the NSA at all, bodies start piling up, old friends come out of the wood work, and a daring heist is needed to secure they safety. Director and co-writer Phil Alden Robinson is a master conductor here, keeping the story unfolding, layering in some interesting themes, and stuffing it filled with spy gadgets, lingo, and tradecraft sequences. I love that they essentially used contemporary gadgets (Hollywoodized of course) and not some kind of fantasy gadgets because the whole thing gives a beautiful glimpse into the state of the most advanced and sought after tech of the day. When people say, "they don't make films like that anymore" I think of films like this one - an unpretentious film that employs the highest craft in every category (directing, performances, score, editing, etc) in the employment of an entertaining story aimed at adults without being too dumbed down or overloaded with "art" and messages. One of the most re-watchable films of all-time.

Excellent suspense thriller basic story phenomenal cast!!

[joiningjt · 6/10 · 17 June 2021]

If it wasnt for the amazing cast it would have been a 4 or 5 but the cast of great actors gives it a solid 6. Story to me was your basic suspense thriller story with just mediocre tension. Ifs a definite watch once and some might want to buy the dvd but for me it's not buy worthy it's just stream worthy.

The Ultimate Codebreaker

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 10 December 2008]

A college prank where one got caught and sent to prison and the other didn't forms the basis for Sneakers, a stylish, but ultimately unsatisfying thriller. Sad because it's a waste of a really talented cast.

Gary Hershberger and Jo Marr area a couple of college age computer geeks from the seventies who if they had stayed on the straight and narrow might have wound up being Bill Gates and Bill Jobs. Marr got caught and Hershberger was not by dint of going out for pizza during a break-in. Marr got some serious jail time, but Hershberger became a fugitive.

Fast forward to the nineties and Hershberger has now grown up to be Robert Redford and heading a security firm under an alias. Redford employs the diverse talents of David Strathairn, Sidney Poitier, Dan Ackroyd, River Phoenix and on occasion Mary McDonnell. They break into unbreakable places and tell you what you're doing wrong.

Redford and his crew get hired or possibly a better word is drafted into working for a couple of slippery agents played by Timothy Busfield and Eddie Jones. Object is to steal a code box with a formula designed by super mathematical genius Donal Logue. In it Logue's designed a gizmo that can break ANY code.

Before long Redford and his crew are in conflict with his former college prankster now all grownup and played by Ben Kingsley. Who wouldn't want the Ultimate Codebreaker? Even I'd like to have that.

Sneakers is done with a lot of flash and style, but in the end it's all rather silly. A real waste of a good cast. You've got to catch at the very end where on a news broadcast it's said that Republican National Committee has gone broke overnight and Greenpeace is overflowing with money for its good work.

Now maybe that's Robert Redford's secret fantasy, but this isn't Never-Never Land.