Behind Enemy Lines has a of course a well used plot with a patriotic theme, but the acting, action sequences, and camera work make this movie work well.
The plot is that on a reconnaissance mission two American navy pilots see something that they weren't supposed to. They take a picture of some strange goings on in supposedly neutral zone. What they have seen is a mass grave. The army forced that placed the graves there sees the plane and shoots it down. Both of the pilots manage to eject from the plane alas one of them is injured. Burnett,(Owen Wilson) the navigator, uninjured leaves the pilot (Gabriel Macht) to climb up a hill to be able to make radio contact. While is gone, the force comes up on the pilot and executes him. This leaves Burnett alone and on the run from this special police force and a tracker. While he is running trying to keep himself alive, back on the ship his commanding officer, played by Gene Hackman, is fighting to get him rescued. A peace treaty hangs in the balance and while bureaucrats discuss the effect a rescue will have on the peace treaty, Burnett runs for his life. He must elude the special police force and the tracker with the hope that the rescue force will make it in time to save his life and to receive the information that cost his friend his life.
The camera work in this film was excellent. There was some unusual angle shots, and some absolutely beautiful slow motion shots that were not cheesy at all. Some of the shots were jerky to convey the sense of the character's running over harsh terrain and his fatigue. The airplane sequence of trying to avoid the missile was great. It was nicely laid out and looked fantastic. This was the result of some excellent cinematography and direction.
The acting was good as well. I knew Owen Wilson could play a good serious role. His character, while keeping his sassy attitude and keeping up his quips, does show some depth, and strength. These traits are mostly shown through his dialogue with the general(good script). Gene Hackman is great as the general who is struggling with the inaction he must bear. He wants to bring his man home while obeying his orders. He struggles with what is right and what he is commanded to do. He played the character well. All the acting in the film was well done.
This was a good film. I do not think that the patriotic theme was overly beaten. It was a good story of human will and survival. It made a nice war film where you can actually know and care about the character. I would recommend this film to my friends.