S A H A R A

Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey) and his sidekick, Al (Steve Zahn), work for an ocean salvage company. Dirk's dream is to locate the fabled iron-clad warship from the American Civil War. Previous clues have led to nothing but while working off the African Coast another clue surfaces which has Dirk pestering his boss, Admiral Sandecker (William H. Macy) to give him time and resources to search.

Meanwhile, Dr. Eva Rojoa (Penelope Cruz) from the World Health Organisation is investigating the source of a deadly disease. She hooks up with Dirk and Al, and they travel, by boat, into the African country of Mali. The country is in political turmoil and it's not long before the little expedition attracts the attention of General Kazim, the dictator who rules the country...

This movie is in the same style of the Indiana Jones movies or the recent National Treasure with Nicolas Cage. Sahara falls short of these movies but in spite of some foolish bits (or perhaps because of some foolish bits) it is a funny, entertaining, action yarn. It's the type of movie that will entertain but you will have forgotten shortly afterwards. Thankfully the movie doesn't try to make any meaningful political or humanitarian statements as any such sentiments would have appeared hollow against the frivolous and implausible plot.

Most of the humour comes from the "buddy" relationship between Dirk (Matthew McConaughey) and his lifetime friend Al (Steve Zahn). The characters work well together with Dirk as the hero and Al as the somewhat misfortunate, awkward one. There's nothing new in the casual, flippant dialogue between the pair but it adds some humour to the fairly continuous action scenes. The action mightn't be the most spectacular but it moves along at a cracking pace and occasionally takes on a "James Bond" feel to it with accompanying music.

Penelope Cruz is the female-love-interest for our hero. Her character is made more interesting as she plays an intelligent, feisty, doctor from the World Health Organisation who is not afraid to enter a war-torn country to track down the source of a deadly disease.

There is good support from William H. Macy who plays Admiral Sandecker the owner of the salvage company that Dirk and Al work for. 

Bottom Line: A foolish adventure yarn that has enough action and humour to entertain. If you enjoy Sahara you might also enjoy National Treasure,  Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,  Lara Croft: The Cradle Of Life,  Die Another Day,  Flight Of The Phoenix.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:  MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY:  How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days,  The Wedding Planner.  PENELOPE CRUZ:  Blow,  Captain Corelli's Mandolin,  Gothika,  Vanilla Sky.  STEVE ZAHN: Riding In Cars With Boys.  WILLIAM H. MACY:  Jurassic Park III,  Seabiscuit,  Welcome To Collinwood.  LAMBERT WILSON:  Catwoman.

Genre: Action/Adventure

Director: Breck Eismer

Certificate: Sahara was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of twelve years of age and upwards. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. The movie contains moderate violence.

Official Movie Website: http://www.saharamovie.com

~ Main Cast ~

Matthew McConaughey

Penelope Cruz

Steve Zahn

William H. Macy

Lambert Wilson

Lennie James

Rainn Wilson