SIS (2008 TV Movie) User Reviews

Reminds me of "The Shield"

[drjgardner · 4/10 · 29 August 2019]

This film is obviously a TV movie made as a pilot for a series. It reminded me of "The Shield" which was a gritty detective series 2002 to 2008 with Michael Chiklis and Walton Googins among others, or more recently "Shades of Blue" with Ray Liotta and Jennifer Lopez. It's a little over the top but it has good acting and nice photography. There is also an attempt at character development. It's a lot better than many of the shows now on TV.

So bad that it's embarrassing

[krycek19 · 1/10 · 4 October 2009]

First of all my friend and I felt cheated. We rented this, thinking it was a feature-film, not a pilot episode of a TV-show. And a crappy one at that.

I don't even know where to start. The actors couldn't act, the lines were horrible and awkward there was no plot what so ever. Every cliché in the book. Ripping of ideas from Lethal Weapon: guy sitting with his stupid dog on the beach, same guy trying to kill himself with two different guns while playing with a clock radio.

The sets were horrible. Like the scenes viewing over L.A and the scene on the beach, both scenes, clearly shot on a sound-stage. And many scenes were shot inside a studio-lot. Clearly there was no money spent on this, except on lots of blood-bags, used in shoot-out scenes The actors all looked like they were unknown replacements for famous actors. Because the producers could'nt afford the ones they wanted for their crappy show. Annoying ever so wise black senior detective: clearly they wanted Morgan Freeman or Forest Whitaker. Big breasted cop: Jolie was too expensive. Bad cop in leather jacket: could'nt afford William Baldwin or David Duchovny. And so on.

As usual, I've warned you. This might be satisfactory for some 12 year old boys. But anyone older than that, with even half a brain, will hate this garbage.

Competent police procedural, but nothing outstanding to report.

[suite92 · 6/10 · 21 February 2014]

S. I. S. means Special Investigations Section, Los Angeles PD.

Joesph is the veteran boss, Melville the the hotheaded field leader; Donovan, Dorri, Garcia are other members of the team. SIS has a low profile.

In the early going, Garcia gets killed when a shootout with a jewel theft gang ends badly. Finishing the mutual vengeance is what the rest of the film is about. The thieves, led by Vic, want to kill everyone in SIS; SIS wants to kill all of them. Great stuff. Billy replaces Garcia.

Roz and her boss work with part of LAPD that is after SIS. Joseph is on touchy ground with the chief.

Will SIS get Vic in a reasonable manner? Will SIS keep its charter within LAPD?

-----Scores-----

Cinematography: 6/10 Shaky cam, fuzzy focus, VHS-level contrast problems. Some of the full-daylight footage is good.

Sound: 6/10 The dialog is audible, but incidental music is not really used to good effect.

Acting: 6/10 Almost up to the script. Keith David was fine. Most of the other actors were competent, plus or minus a little.

Screenplay: 7/10 Usual sort of police procedural.

Excellent

[zorro2a · 8/10 · 13 January 2011]

Hi, What do people want now days for goodness sake all CGI, well there is non of that in S.I.S l thought it was excellent, gritty, with a bit of character development, and what made it all the more real is that the cast was unknown (well in the UK anyway). I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but then l suppose that will happen in real life as well (not telling you what l mean as it would spoil it) The actor who played the bad guy was a real B*****d, and you really wanted to see him get his comeupance, l've seen a lot of TV series that could be cancelled and I just can't understand why they did not continue with the TV series, but anyway if you get the DVD enjoy it it's well worth a good watch l give it 8/10

its may be a failed TV series pilot but i thought it was great.

[vhs1999 · 8/10 · 23 January 2010]

OK the movie maybe low budget and it also may be a failed TV series pilot but that does not stop me from liking it. i dunno what it is but I've got this thing for low budget productions. the movie was set around the special investigations section which is a team of cops that are like a hit squad. most crooks they gather evidence on are most likely back out on the street the next day but this sis team solves that problem by taking them out. the actors all did a good job and it wasn't fast paced but you could follow the story. the movie reads like a failed TV series pilot but just look at it as a standalone movie and you most likely will enjoy it.

Good Storytelling

[suryasunder-832-579310 · 10/10 · 13 May 2019]

This story should have had a follow-up. There needs to be at least one sequel. I don't know why this thing failed to become a series. Someone having an ax to grind with the production team?