Released: 6/10/05

Viewed: 12:45pm 6/11/05

Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody

Directed by: Doug Liman

Do I need to talk about their relationship? Their unofficial relationship. Does it need to effect my enjoyment of the movie? They make a pretty hot couple, and I'm sure the kids would be beautiful. I'm sure if they ever have one, and once she turns 18, and Tom Cruise goes out with her, they would make great looking kids too. But whatever. This movie has nothing to do with Brad and Angelina as a couple.

Ok, that's not entirely true. It pretty much hinges on them being a believable married couple. Estranged, lying and deceitful, sure, but the chemistry has got to be there. And it really is. You feel the initial attraction, you feel each struggle with the realization that the other must be killed. It's just a job. Don't worry, I'm not giving away anything that the trailer doesn't.

At it's core Mr. And Mrs. Smith is about a troubled relationship. About two people that lead secret lives and how it all eventually falls in on itself. What happens after that it the real treasure here. The set up is actually done very well. If the commercials didn't so obviously call them out as hit men you would think he was a cheating loser, and she was a call girl dominatrix. Is that lipstick on his collar. No it's blood, but the questioning could have been there if the media department didn't blow it.

Still, 20 minutes in, you've seen both of them kill someone in high style, and you know where each keeps their stash of fancy weapons. Does anyone need that many grenades? Honestly. Then the secrets get revealed, and you see the cat and mouse begin. For me it lasted a little too long. Liman spends too much time getting through this part of the story. It's all very cool. The elevator, the office escape, the battle in the house? I could go on. But it's all stalled story. Ultimately most of it is important for the development of the characters, but I found myself eager to see how it would be resolved. Would one REALLY kill the other? Why drag it out?

Realizations are made and then it's plot point after plot point revealed. A little easy to see coming, but still awesome, and surrounded by outstanding action and comedy. It's all about the car chase on the bridge. Battling around a minivan all the while discussing the lies they had told each other. It was the high point of the movie in terms of combining great action and the comedic satire. It was the defining scene of the movie for me.

As it winds down you wonder where they could take it? Did the writer just dig themselves a huge hole that they won't be able to get out of. Sort of. It ends, and in those last minutes you go through "I can't believe they're going to die" to "I Can't believe they didn't die" to "How will they survive this." to "There's no way they can survive this.". And that's awesome. When a movie can mess with your head like that it's being done really well. I liken it to an episode of LOST this season. (Sorry for those who aren't familiar.) Basically the leads come across one of the other leads who is dead. You can't believe he's dead. The producers had the balls to kill someone so big! But you're still disappointed he's gone. Then they try and resuscitate him, and you go back and for between ? this will never work, it shouldn't work, what if it worked, I hope it works. It's dizzying.

Great job though. Liman is really stepping up with some great films. I can't wait to see what he does next. Vaughn and Brody also serve excellent purpose here. Vaughn should be in every movie. He's way too cool. And for Brody to take this role as his first real movie gig after his OC success is a really smart way to go. He could easily have taken the lead in some crap comedy, or romantic comedy, or baseball chimp movie. Instead he's taking a small role in a high profile movie with a great director and a great cast. It really gave him the opportunity to do some scene stealing with the big boys. Keep making good choices like this and the good scripts will fall in your lap, Bro-dog. I call him Bro-dog. That's the kind of level we're at

7 out of 10 Looses points for some slight pacing problems. You can guess how things will evolve and that's the problem. You should never be waiting for something to happen.

DVD worthy?:At first I said no, but it feels like it would be a good one to add to the list. Good visuals, and some strong laughs. Angelina is somkin' so that's a plus

Trailer Hitch John Singletons new outing is called Four Brothers. Mark Wahlburg, Tyrese, Andre 3000, and Garrett Hedlund. A Former rapper, former modle, Hey Ya, and Brad Pitts cousin in Troy. I didn't like Andre in Be Cool, but the others have impressed me before. As has Singlton. He's getting super actiony and less political, but that's cool. I like car crashes.

The plot revolves around the brothers finding and taking revenge on the men that killed their adoptive mother. Good idea. Rehabilitated trouble kids returning to a troubling life to avenge the woman that set them straight. I'm sure that's what she would have wanted? maybe. But whatever, it looks like someone's gonna get shot!