George Taylor This movie, dealing with the governments rather totalitarian reaction to Muslim terrorism taking place in NYC and other parts of the country, virtually rounding up the guilty and innocent and imprisoning them, was ahead of it's time. Is there anyone who couldn't see this happening today? Decent, but when watched today, creepy.

adonis98-743-186503 The secret U.S. abduction of a suspected terrorist, leads to a wave of terrorist attacks in New York City, that lead to the declaration of martial-law. The Siege is one of those many 90's films where you end up watching them and you eventually think to yourself "how did this film bombed at the Box Office?" and personally i can't understand, the movie is full of great suspense and thrills, Denzel Washington is amazing as always and he is just freaking terrific. The action goes threw the roof with this one and even Tony Shalhoub is great probably the best performance i have seen from him. Now the story might feel a bit much for some and i'll totally get it but always remember it's just a movie and just an action film that is actually pretty damn great if you ask me also Bruce Willis plays a General named William Devereaux before he became gritty and started making awful movies. (A+)

Python Hyena The Siege (1998): Dir: Edward Zwick / Cast: Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis, Tony Shalhoub, Aasif Mandvi: Action film not so much about the tragedy at hand but about the siege of the victims. After a series of terrorist bombings in New York, an F.B.I. Agent, played by Denzel Washington investigates. He arrests a mysterious agent played by Annette Bening who may or may not be helping the guilty. Soon a General moves his troops in and orders that all Arab Americans be fenced in and individually tortured for information. This angers Washington's partner played by Tony Shalhoub whose own son is mistreated. Interesting setup deteriorates into a series of recycled scenes that seem to have materialized from other films. Directed by Edward Zwick who previously worked with Washington in Courage Under Fire, where he delivers another great performance. Zwick is effective at presenting action but his cast are mostly at odds with the material. Washington holds his own but Bening steals the film in her rebellion. The big disappointment is Bruce Willis as the General who is hardly convincing. He barks orders and looks intimidating while reminding viewers that he was even worse in Armageddon the same year. Shalhoub fares well as Washington's partner. The big payoff will seize mainly action lovers. Score: 5 ½ / 10

craig-hopton This movie follows a thrilling series of escalating terrorist incidents set in New York city.The feel is of a police/action movie. Denzel Washington is a squeaky clean police chief who is the reliable hero of the hour. He can turn his hand to negotiating, gun-toting and plain old hard-talking. As the terrorist incidents escalate, the tensions in how to respond to the threat escalate to fever-pitch.Washington's character is accompanied by Bruce Willis, who plays a general that prefers a direct approach to fighting the terrorism, and Annette Bening as a CIA spook. I didn't think either of these two put in convincing performances - this is Washington's movie really.It's a pre-9/11 movie and for those of us used to modern shows like Homeland, The Siege's depiction of the CIA, torture, and the terrorists themselves can seem unsophisticated and sensationalist. But accepting its limitations, it actually puts quite a strong ethical foot forward. The debates on implementing martial law, the CIA's fraternising with the enemy, and the racial profiling of suspects - are all tackled reasonably well.The Siege is not a perfect film but it is exciting, thought-provoking and very watchable.