After a bit of a slow start and a somewhat convoluted story, "Traitor" manages to overcome those weaknesses and becomes a decent suspense flick about the planning of a major terrorist attack on the United States, and the fight by various members of the law enforcement/intelligence communities to prevent it. You have a tendency to want to dismiss this as just a right-wing anti-Muslim film; then you have a tendency to think of it as a left-wing anti-American film; then you realize that the story (since it makes you think of both) is actually pretty balanced. The excesses of both extreme Islam and American actions around the world are both noted, but the proper critique is also made of both types of excess, leading to the conclusion that the writers knew their stuff and understood the basic principles that undergird both Islam and the United States, and aren't afraid to criticize those who would twist either set of principles for their own ends.
The movie revolves around Don Cheadle, who put on a great performance as Sadir, a Sudanese born American citizen. Sadir is a mysterious character. From the very beginning you question his loyalty - who is he really working for? What are his motives? In the end, you have the impression that while he's definitely working for one side over the other, he's much like the movie as a whole - he doesn't really support the tactics of either, and is really more committed to a higher cause of his own definition. The movie (as is common with these types of stories) includes a sometimes bewildering array of locations that makes it sometimes a bit hard to follow. There are scenes in Sudan, Yemen, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Mexico - maybe even a couple more that I've forgotten! That might well be an accurate portrayal of how these plots are developed but it's a bit confusing as you're trying to follow the story.
The plot is truly frightening. 50 Islamic extremists have been planted in the U.S. and are living normal lives (some married with children) waiting for their orders to put the plot into action. The plan is to simultaneously detonate bombs on 50 buses around the country to make the point that no one anywhere in the U.S. is safe. There's an interesting look at some of the strategies that might be used to communicate. As the point at which the plot is to be pulled off approaches, there's real suspense over whether it will be successful. Overall, this is a pretty good movie.
The movie revolves around Don Cheadle, who put on a great performance as Sadir, a Sudanese born American citizen. Sadir is a mysterious character. From the very beginning you question his loyalty - who is he really working for? What are his motives? In the end, you have the impression that while he's definitely working for one side over the other, he's much like the movie as a whole - he doesn't really support the tactics of either, and is really more committed to a higher cause of his own definition. The movie (as is common with these types of stories) includes a sometimes bewildering array of locations that makes it sometimes a bit hard to follow. There are scenes in Sudan, Yemen, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Mexico - maybe even a couple more that I've forgotten! That might well be an accurate portrayal of how these plots are developed but it's a bit confusing as you're trying to follow the story.
The plot is truly frightening. 50 Islamic extremists have been planted in the U.S. and are living normal lives (some married with children) waiting for their orders to put the plot into action. The plan is to simultaneously detonate bombs on 50 buses around the country to make the point that no one anywhere in the U.S. is safe. There's an interesting look at some of the strategies that might be used to communicate. As the point at which the plot is to be pulled off approaches, there's real suspense over whether it will be successful. Overall, this is a pretty good movie.