For whatever reason Universal chose not to preview this Doug Liman-Tom Cruise adventure flick at Cinemacon, the mid-March exhibitor confab in Las Vegas. Why, I wonder — because it’s not popcorny enough? It feels totally popcorn — a broad attitude drug-smuggling thriller that seems to fuse the surreal and comedic. Barry Seal, the pilot-smuggler played by Cruise, was in his early to mid 40s when the action of the story occured, so Cruise, who turns 55 in July, is playing more or less age-appropriate. (Seal’s wife is played by 33 year-old Sarah Wright.) By my count Cruise has died in two films thus far — Interview With The Vampire (via natural vampirism) and Collateral (a death scene that improves with each re-viewing).
