Vantage Point

RATING: C+

Vantage Point is one of those unfairly unknown films that you just happen to run across one day and say, "Huh, that looks mildly interesting/entertaining" and pick it up from the library. As a 90-minute action thriller that doesn't waste much time getting to the action and doesn't let up very much, it's a fairly simple film. 

The film centers around a political summit in Spain the U.S. president is attending to promote an international treaty (the exact details of which are somewhat unclear). The President is shot during the meeting, however, and a chase begins to find the shooter and any suspects/witnesses who might know something. 

The film is told from the point of view of different characters--some good guys and bad guys--who were present/involved. The film claims to have a total of eight "vantage points," although in reality there's only six before things come together and it shifts around a little bit more as a terrorist plot to kill the President unfolds (and why exactly they want to kill the President is never explained). 

Despite having some unclear plot points, the film does benefit from some fast-paced action and strong camera work, and is also bolstered by a strong cast led by Dennis Quaid--who is even more invincible to death and drives better than Channing Tatum in White House Down. Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker and Sigourney Weaver also do well. 

On a pacing, visual and acting level, the film's actually quite well done. It's really the somewhat unclear story and the all-too-familiar plotline that has been done better that brings it down. It actually helps in this case that the film is a short and sweet 90 minutes, because if it had been two hours, it would've been all too long. 

Vantage Point is a film that probably got left behind in the dust for good reason with multiple issues, but its unclear plot points is probably the biggest one (seriously, why do these terrorists want to kill the President?). If nothing else, though, it's an entertaining quick action thriller that has its moments. If you're looking for a better "President is in danger" film, White House Down is a better example that comes to mind.