Sahara (2005)
Directed by: Breck Eisner
Premise: Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn play treasure hunters who team up with a member of the World Health Organization (Penelope Cruz) to solve a mysterious plague in Africa.
What Works: The film is a lot of fun. McConaughey and Zahn play well off each other in the familiar hero and sidekick roles. The film’s story is convoluted but it moves along along at a brisk enough pace to allow for massive improbabilities to slide. The action sequences are pretty standard but exciting.
What Doesn’t: This is not brilliant filmmaking. The basic premise of the story, that an American Civil War ship somehow ran aground in the middle of the African desert, demands such a suspension of disbelief that it is hard to take Sahara seriously. The ending does not help, as it makes some pretty big leaps in the logic.
Bottom Line: Sahara makes for good popcorn entertainment. It aspires to be Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film falls short of that goal but it should be fun for those who enjoyed National Treasure.
Episode: #47 (April 10, 2005)