While I wouldn’t call it a action movie masterpiece, “S.W.A.T.” is a decent iteration of the television series that broadens its appeal for a younger audience. While I would have loved a movie that was darker and grittier, the movie works as a comic book kind of movie about the S.W.A.T. unit that look kind of like law enforcing Avengers. The 2003 action crime thriller flaunts every would-be super star and up and coming superstar, taking the S.W.A.T. team and turning it on its head when corruption reaches even its ranks.
Colin Farrell is the new Jim Street, a former S.W.A.T. member who with partner Brian Gamble, as played by Jeremy Renner, is thrown off the team during a hostage stand off. Making a controversial decision renders the pair pariahs among their league. While Gamble leaves in resentment, Street goes on the beat as a uniform officer pulling the day to day monotony of street duties. But when he gets the chance to prove himself again, he’s recruited by Hondo Harrelson, now played by Samuel L. Jackson. Together they recruit a team of top officers in peak physical condition, this includes co-stars LL Cool J, Michelle Rodriguez.
But they’re called in to duty quickly when a drug lord offers a reward for anyone who can break him out of police custody. Now S.W.A.T. have to fight off a band of mercenaries, all of whom are led by a familiar face from the past. Clark Johnson creates a fun and raucous big screen adaptation that has a good time being silly and absurd. It often feels like a precursor or celebration of the goofy fun that the “Fast and the Furious” series had in store for audiences. Plus it’s tough to beat such an interesting cast, including Samuel L. Jackson who plays this kind of role in his sleep. It’s also a fun sneak peek in to his future Nick Fury role in the impending “Iron Man” film.
The new Mill Creek release of “S.W.A.T.” no longer features the deleted scenes from its original 2006 release. There is now a pair of commentary tracks. The first features cast members Samuel L. Jackson, L.L. Cool J, Brian Van Holt, Josh Charles, Jeremy Renner, Michelle Rodriguez, and Director Clark Johnson, the last of who recorded his track separately. The second commentary track features an in depth and honest wealth of information by Writers Ron Mita, Jim McClain, David Ayer, and David McKenna. The group discusses rewrites, shooting, and the like.