Spy Game scores!

Rather than a traditional pure action James Bond spy movie, the fresh and original ‘Spy Game' explores the morality behind espionage while keeping the movie interesting. Spy Game destroyed my fears of another boring action flick within the first fifteen minutes; this scintillating film kept me literally on the edge of my seat, with little of the traditional movie action and much more wit and originality.

With a surprisingly clever plot, the film details CIA operative Nathan Muir's (Robert Redford) relationship with his protégé Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt). In the movie's thrilling opening scene, Bishop is attempting to rescue a person from a Chinese prison, but unfortunately only succeeds in ending up imprisoned as well. The Chinese plan to execute Bishop for espionage within 24 hours.

Since Bishop was not operating on a CIA mission, but rather for personal reasons, the CIA decides that he basically dug his own grave, and that it's too politically delicate to attempt to rescue him. So it's up to Muir to free his old mentee, and that's exactly what he tries to do.

Of course, he must act covertly, because the CIA is looking for any reason to fry Bishop. For precisely that reason, they question Muir incessantly for information about Bishop, looking for possible excuses to let the Chinese execute him. But the younger operators are no matches for Muir's sharp intellect and quick thinking. Muir pretends cooperation, all the while organizing an entire operation to save his old friend and protégé. The other directors are growing suspicious, yet Muir outwits them at every turn, leaving them without basis to question his actions.

The film covers Muir's tense dialogue with the CIA agents while flashing back to fast-paced clips of his missions and interactions with Pitt, including the requisite massive explosions. Frequently flashing the time across the scene, the movie successfully conveys Muir's entire conversation as a race against time.

Redford is infinitely entertaining as Muir, portraying perfectly his cocky, yet immensely amusing attitude with the irritating CIA operators. The movie supposedly co-stars Pitt and Redford, but it's clear Redford's the real star, with wittier lines and much more screen time. Yet with Redford's excellent acting, I'm willing to overlook that part, although in terms of appearance, he's no longer any match for Pitt's golden looks. In fact, Redford looks more like a piece of luggage than a movie star.

Pitt plays the supporting role well, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste is excellent as Muir's clever secretary, although she too is shoved to the sideline very frequently. The only other woman character (apparently the CIA is pure testosterone nowadays) is Catherine McCormack, who does a good job as the girlfriend with minimal screen time.

But really, there's not much to complain about. The plot's fantastic, complex yet remarkably easy to understand, and Redford shines in an admittedly great role. Spy Game is exciting, thrilling, and- for the icing on the cake- it delves into the moral issues surrounding espionage. I'll take seconds on this one, thanks.