The Siege

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The Siege ★★ ½ Against All Enemies 1998 (R)

Controversial political suspense/ action movie caused quite a ruckus when first released. Although protested by Arab-American groups for alleged negative stereotyping, it actually points the finger at the U.S. military as the bad guys. First half centers on FBI honcho Hubbard (Washington) and his prominently Lebanese-American partner Haddad (Shaloub) as they try to stop terrorist bombings of New York. After the bombings escalate, martial law is declared in Brooklyn. Under semi-fascist Gen. Devereaux, all Constitutional rights are suspended and young Arab-Americans are rounded up and imprisoned. Hubbard forms a shaky alliance with shady CIA lady Elise Kraft to break the terrorist ring and restore freedom. Substitutes cardboard cutouts spouting political platitudes for characters. 116m/C VHS, DVD . Denzel Washington, Tony Shalhoub, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis, Sami Bouajila, David Proval, Jack Gwaltney, Chip Zien, Victor Slezak, Will Lyman, Dakin Matthews, John Rothman, E. Katherine Kerr, Jimmie Ray Weeks, Lance Reddick, Mark Valley, Liana Pai, Amro Salama; D: Edward Zwick; W: Edward Zwick, Menno Meyjes, Lawrence Wright; C: Roger Deakins; M: Graeme Revell. Golden Raspberries '98: Worst Actor (Willis).