I remember when cable television premiered the original television show SWAT on a classic show network, I recall watching the show and thought it was great. Like any movie-goer I'm always weary about a feature movie adapted from a television show. It's reported among the stars that they actually studied the real SWAT training sequences and also interacted in exercises which can be seen in the very realistic and steadfast depictions of the exercises used by the SWAT infantry to train in missions involving hostages. The best scenes in the film are when the team are training for SWAT with the great obstacle course, and the last training sequence involving breaking into a commercial airliner and taking out terrorists who have hostages aboard. They're some of the more interesting and truly original scenes in the film that make this all the more an entertaining film.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson takes on the task of SWAT leader Sgt. Dan "Hondo" Harrelson originally played by Steve Forrest in the original and shines among his young co-stars with much gusto and magnetism. He tends to steal many of the scenes from the younger cast members even though he doesn't see or interact with much of the action taking place, rapper/actor LL Cool J plays David 'Deke' Kay a tough officer who's a family man at heart who signs on as one of the ass-kicking SWAT members. Cool J is great in the role that is almost suited for him giving the charm or a warrior while presenting the humility any man with children has. He never chews the scenery but always shines in his parts. This is possibly the best film he's been in. Along with him is Michelle Rodriguez  who stars as Chris Sanchez the tough-talking tomboy of the group. She's one of the coolest characters in the film and a true pleasure to watch in action films of this caliber. Last but not least is Colin Farrell who plays Jim Street, the ex-SWAT member who's just made it back into the team.

Never has a cop film been so stylish yet so true to its core nature before and skilled director Clark Johnson gives the movie that shot in the arm that it needs to have in order to have been so entertaining. Jeremy Renner does good as villain Gamble who manages to lay on the mustache twirling bit to a cue. He's a truly understated villain during the film and manages to play off well against Farrell's charming character Street. His scenes make him look as if he's truly worthy to take on this cast of characters. What is performed in this movie soon becomes a winning formula for one of the best action movie to come around in the last few years. Originally set in 1975, the show is given a modern take with all the original characters back in tow. Director Clark Johnson does a good job selecting an all-star hip cast to portray the famous characters from the original series. What this movie manages to do that most modern action films don't is successfully establish every character, their personality, and their background which is interesting and then pulls the audience into the action taking place with the story. It's a rare feat to establish interesting characters in a great action flick and keep the audience wanting more.

While the film is very good, it lacks a certain foundation of a tolerable villain. Olivier Martinez who played the slimy lover of Diane Lane's in "Unfaithful" plays Alex Martel, a broadly developed villain who is caught by a police officer when speeding. It's a realistic situation but one that hardly establishes him as a vicious criminal. The film, as good as it is fails to bring about any really exciting moments or action-packed scenes except for the dramatic closing which is anticipated throughout the entire film ultimately bringing upon a feeling that there could have been more. And while the characters Gamble and Martinez' characters are potentially great villains, they're rarely emphasized upon ruining their appeal and ultimately questioning their threat to the SWAT team.

Entertaining, engrossing, exciting with a stylish cast and great characters, this is one of the best television to film adaptations that rank with with the best.

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