I remember that when THE SIEGE first came out, back in 1998, I had the pleasure of seeing it at the cinema. Back then, as I recall, audiences weren't too sure of what to make of a new breed of terrorist threat, involving sleeper cells and homemade bomb strikes on American cities. It may have seemed unbelievable to some, but what happened three years later would change the world forever and give THE SIEGE even greater relevance, not to mention more than a little prescience given what was to come.

The ever-reliable Denzel Washington is excellent as the FBI agent on the trail of terrorists holding New York to ransom. This is a guy who burns up the screen and, even if he does have a tendency to play the same part over and over, it's one you can never tire of. Washington is so powerful that the shortcomings of co-star Annette Bening are easy to dismiss.

The movie also benefits from the presence of director Edward Zwick, who over the years has made some truly decent films like BLOOD DIAMOND and THE LAST SAMURAI. Kudos too for the casting of Bruce Willis against type, back when the actor still meant something. I particularly love how the emphasis changes during the last third of the movie when it becomes difficult to say who the real bad guys are.

In the end, THE SIEGE is a class act because the set-pieces (the bus scene, of course) are outstanding and the talky bits in-between are equally dramatic and tension-filled. It's a tough and thought-provoking film that may prove uncomfortable viewing for some, but as a movie that shines a light on our world it's up there with the best of them.

The US captures an Islamic religious leader in Lebanon. FBI agent Anthony Hubbard (Denzel Washington) heads a task force to investigate a series of attacks in New York. CIA agent Elise Kraft (Annette Bening) helps to hunt down the terrorist cells responsible for the attacks.

This starts off great as the two agents can't cooperate. Tony Shalhoub also stars as an FBI agent. It's tense, and smart. The action isn't the ridiculous over the top type, but very compelling.

As the attacks continue, US troops led by General Devereaux (Bruce Willis) are sent into the streets of New York City. That's when this movie gets out of hand. Martial law just seems unrealistic. They had the real life example of Oklahoma City bombing. This is an over reach by the writers. The whole thing just turns ridiculous.

Islamo-fascists (or simply "terrorists") have taken their game to a whole new level, striking schools and even the FBI office. This film shows a fictional version of what happens when America meddles in foreign affairs, when the foreigners push back and how we would have to give up civil liberties to protect our freedoms. (Or, more properly, why we shouldn't have to.)

Denzel Washington is Anthony 'Hub' Hubbard, and like all his action roles, he is a strong and sturdy leader. I love Washington so much. I warmed up to him after seeing "Man on Fire" and this goes above and beyond that as the best role I've seen him in. Annette Bening is a CIA operative, and she continues her streak of starring in roles that annoy me (such as the one in "American President"). Other than "American Beauty", I can do without her...

Bruce Willis is Major General William Devereaux and is quite good at being both pragmatic and tyrannical as he needs to be -- in the same role. We see his "Die Hard" persona more refined into a leadership spot -- commanding others to do what McClane's commanders would have him do. It's like a promotion. Tony Shalhoub is Agent Frank Haddad, and this is his best role (and when does he ever disappoint?). Aasif Mandvi ("The Daily Show") also appears as Khalil Saleh.

This film works as an action-drama. Plenty of frustrated romance and explosions, as well as gunfights and tense situations where a bus might explode (where is Keanu Reeves when you need him). So, even if you have no interest in American history or politics, you're probably going to appreciate the running and jumping and shooting.

History and politics buffs will enjoy it even more. We have the history of what America did in Iraq after the Gulf War (hint: we let Saddam slaughter his own people). And we have a sneak-peak of what would happen if a major terrorist attack hit New York. Muslims and Arabs are rounded up and all seen as suspects, liberties are brought to a minimum and there is a debate between waging a war and a police action -- with war winning the debate. I think if anything this film gave America too much credit for being sympathetic to Muslims. But at least we don't have concentration camps where we store innocent Arabs (unless you count Guantanamo Bay).

This film flew under my radar and I had not been aware of it until some friends pointed me in the right direction. With 9/11 and Iraq now having happened, this film gives a great overview. Along with "Syriana", "Jarhead" and "Three Kings" this will give a good starting point of how to view the world and America's role in it, at least from a fictional point of view.