Courage Under Fire (1996)

It isn't easy to fault any of the elements of this box office hit, which should attract and satisfy video viewers in great numbers. Courage Under Fire has a taut story involving a troubled Army lieutenant colonel (a smooth, restrained Washington) who runs into a military mystery about the Desert Storm death of a medevac captain (Ryan, with a Southern drawl) while preparing a recommendation for a posthumous Medal of Honor. And while not emotionally complex, Courage certainly is intelligent. Put it all together, though, and you realize...it's put together too well, with a spit shine so glossy you can practically see yourself. Some will admire the surface; others will wonder if there's anything underneath.