Action-packed political thriller "Battle in Seattle," directed by Stuart Townsend, chronicles the extreme riots and protests that took place at the 1999 World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Seattle.
Martin Henderson and Michelle Rodriguez star as two leading activists, Jay and Lou, who organize protests against the WTO conference while they also engage in a subtle love affair. The dashingly rugged Henderson, who also starred in the 2002 film "The Ring," struggles between his desire to protest and the fear of being jailed for life. The couple makes plans for thousands of protesters to block Seattle intersections and prevent WTO ambassadors from reaching the conference. Prior to the conference, protestors promise Seattle's police department that there will be no violent protests against the WTO.
When angry anarchists break the protestors' promise, worried police officers believe they have no choice but to take action. Intense scenes of police tear-gassing the protesters, shooting rubber bullets into crowds and physically abusing the activists support a taut, compelling plot.
While the film thrives with action-packed protests and violent police fights, the film's only comedic relief comes from an activist named Django, played by Andre Benjamin, who breaks into Bob Marley's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" while police handcuff his fellow protestors and lock them in a public bus. Ray Liotta, who plays Seattle Mayor Jim Tobin, delivers an excellent performance as a politician who must deal with the nerve-racking situation of handling the police force and the protesters. His fierce temper perfectly portrays an overwhelmed mayor thrown into a career-threatening situation.
Charlize Theron lights up the screen as Ella, the pregnant wife of a leading policeman, putting on a stellar emotional performance when an unknown officer clubs her. Channing Tatum, who starred in the 2006 film "Step Up," plays a hot rookie police officer named Johnson who must choose between doing his job and standing up for his beliefs.
Moviegoers in search of an action film based on political activism would immediately fall for "Battle in Seattle." Viewers interested in issues such as free trade, pro-labor, anti-capitalism and environmental matters would surely get a kick out of the film's agenda of sticking it to the man.
"Battle in Seattle" is a sure crowd-pleaser for its diverse cast and intense political drama.
You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
