There are quite a few compliments that I can pay the new film Spy Game. First, it's much deeper than I expected it to be. After all, this is from director Tony Scott, a film maker that usually engages in commercially pleasing pictures (see Top Gun). Secondly and more importantly, this is a return to form by icon Robert Redford who turned in one of the most mediocre performances of his career in the overly melodramatic Last Castle.

Spy Game opens with CIA operative Tom Bishop (a charismatic Brad Pitt) having a rescue attempt foiled in China and finding himself held in prison. Back in the states, veteran CIA man Nathan Muir (an engaging Robert Redford) learns of Bishop's capture. It seems these two vastly different men have a history. During a briefing with the highest powers in the CIA, Muir gives a profile of Bishop through a series of flashback sequences.

Pitt has often been compared to Redford in the early days. Redford even directed Pitt in the earnest A River Runs Through It. Watching these two towering stars work together is one of the things that really makes Spy Game soar. Redford is terrific here. He's quietly strong as Muir and this is a movie that reminds us of why he's the legend he is. Interestingly enough, this is sort of an extension of his memorable character in Three Days of the Condor.

Pitt offers up the perfect contrast as Bishop. He's flashy but effective as a soldier with a heart. Of course director Scott factors in as well. He gives much insight into how the CIA works. And while we got glimpses of similar activity in his Enemy of the State, this picture pulsates with a different kind of energy. While the story itself moves at a leisurely pace, Scott spruces things up with dynamic cinematography, quick cutting, alternating film stocks and an interesting narrative. At moments, this picture feels like the love child of Oliver Stone and Jerry Bruckheimer. The only real negative comment I can make about the technical aspect of the film is that I felt the score was a bit intrusive. This, of course, is a minor quibble.

Spy Game has a keen sense of timing as well. Given all that has happened in this country in the last couple of months, this picture seems to resonate with it's look at the power of government and the horror that is terrorism.

In the end, however, this is only a movie, but an entertaining one. Pitt and Redford are at their very best, and Scott engineers them perfectly. Spy Game ended up being much better than I expected it to be.