3/5 So-So, but VERY Derivative Thriller...
  by Benjamin J Burgraff (Las Vegas)
Anyone who regularly watches recent films will immediately see "Echelon Conspiracy" as more than a bit similar to the thriller, "Eagle Eye" (which had been released 6 months earlier), as both films involve conspiracies involving the government, with innocents forced to participate in the plot via mysterious messages over cellphones. But if your viewing habits encompass a wider range of films, you will also find "Echelon Conspiracy" owes as much to "Enemy of the State", "Wargames", and a number of other suspense films...and the derivative nature of the plot unfortunately defeats a decent cast, and beautiful location work around the world.

While Shane West, with his blue-collar persona, seems an unlikely casting choice as a brilliant engineer, he hasn't suffered from the over-exposure of Shia LaBeouf, and his performance grows on you, as the film progresses. Edward Burns (as an ex-FBI agent/casino security chief) and Ving Rhames (as his FBI ex-partner), both deserve better roles in better films, but do provide solid support for West (although why the FBI would violate it's mandate, and operate actively in Europe, is one of many plotholes in the script). Sexy Tamara Feldman is the obligatory love interest with a secret agenda, and Jonathan Pryce, in a tiny cameo, has fun as Burns' ruthless boss. Then there is villainous Martin Sheen...well, if this film is any indication, he gave up serious acting when "The West Wing" went off the air!

If you are an armchair traveller, you will enjoy the film; Bangkok is gloriously colorful, Prague, rich in 'Old World' charm, and Moscow figures prominently in a high-voltage night car chase. You may wonder about the mountains in the 'Nebraska' finale, but you do get your money's worth in exotic locales.

Ultimately, "Echelon Conspiracy" isn't terrible, and if you are a casual movie watcher, you may enjoy the film. But if you find yourself experiencing déjà vu, don't worry; you HAVE seen all this before!

4/5 Part Eagle-Eye/Part Live Free or Die Hard
  by Joseph J. Slevin (Carlsbad, CA United States)
An unwitting security programmer gets involved in a plot run out of NSA headquarters and is found running half way around the world following instructions from a cell phone he receives anonymously.

We visit Thailand, The Czech Republic and Moscow, Russia as Max Petersen, gets messages that save his life and give him clues to make some big bucks. Where are his instructions coming from and why? We see suddenly, he is in a casino, and security gets involved. One of those on Security is former FBI. His former partner suddenly gets involved as he is constant contact with NSA head played by Martin Sheen. There is a pic of George Bush on the wall, so this is reflecting a time of Bush's presidency. (hence the comments on others regarding Bush Bashing).

You really do not know during the movie if Sheen is involved in what Eschelon is doing or not. This is a somewhat plausible plot, but takes some of the technology regarding facial recognition and others and stretches them a little. You come to realize this may be a whole lot bigger than everyone involved thinks. So, who or what has control of the worlds most powerful surveillance system?

Frankly, it makes a good story. I would rather not have any hints about Bush and they could have had a made up President. Other than that, a good rental, or even a buy at a good price. The acting was fine, Shane West, Ed Burns (The Holiday) and Ving Rhames do great jobs.

4/5 Echelon Conspiracy
  by C. A. Luster (Burke, VA USA)
Before "Eagle Eye" it was "Enemy of the State", and before them it goes back to wire taps and surveillance movies like "The Conversation" and "THX 1138 - The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)". So before saying this movie copies them, understand something, they copied something else. Many movies and books like 1984 have expressed the concern for "Big Brother" for a long time. We have just reached the level of technology to truly appreciate how frightening it can be if a computer controls things like in "2001: A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray]". Overall I found it entertaining even if the message was not new. If you enjoy Hi-Tech action movies like "The Bourne Identity (Widescreen Extended Edition)" and "Mission Impossible (Special Collector's Edition)" you will probably find this one worth at least a rental. The story centers around a young man installing a security system on servers. When he receives a phone from DHL he assumes at first it is some type promo since it suggests things for him to do. At first they seem harmless to help him relax. When he becomes three million dollars richer from it's advice he realizes something far more ominous is involved. Afterall people have died and if he doesn't do what it says, he may as well. Good directing, acting, camera work, sets, sound, and music by mostly Russians filmed in Eastern Europe and Russia. I think it deserves three and a half stars. Good quality DVD with no extras. Decent replayability. If you enjoyed this, catch the classic "Colossus - The Forbin Project".

Dos Vidania,
CA Luster

3/5 Run of the mill.
  by William Oterson (About 50 miles, or so, east of Manhattan.)
Typical of the genre and nothing new with regards to technology and honestly the story is old news. Nothing in the way of a wow either although Tamara Feldman is nice to watch and is top notch in the fight scene. A nice car chase too. It seemed the actors had difficulty with the script but Ving Rhames almost hits his stride. Big names Jonathan Pryce and Martin Sheen have minor roles and aren't especially believable and neither Burns or West are able to cause any excitement. Perhaps a better script would've helped. I wouldn't buy but not bad for a rental.

1/5 A Mess
  by G. Schneider (VA United States)
The weakest link in this chain (though there are few strong ones) is Shane West, the "star." This nobody (apparently a veteran of several TV series...which is hardly cause to celebrate) couldn't act his way out of a smoke ring. He's totally unbelievable, at practically every moment broadcasting: "Look at me! I'm adorable! And I'm acting!" The supporting cast could have gotten together with him to give him some acting lessons, but they're too busy slogging through this mess themselves to concern themselves with "supporting." This movie is a mess!