Although this film is entertaining in parts, the lack of direction and bloated screenplay diminish what could have been.
S.W.A.T. is based on the 70s tv show of the same name, and uses the theme song and character names of the series, as well as referencing the tv show within the script itself. Whilst I’m not totally against tv show remakes, you have to wonder about the desire to remake almost everything that graced the small screen back then. If it wasn’t good enough for a film then, why should it be now?
That being said, this is enjoyable enough for what it is. I guess the action is interesting, and the camera work makes the set-pieces seem like documentary footage, which is a nice touch. There is much too much filler though, between the action pieces, and most of the audience must lose patience after a while. I certainly did, and just wished they’d get on with shooting some bad guys and rescuing some hostages… wasn’t that the point?
Farrell is good as always, and Jackson amusing as the old dog of the squad. The minor cast members are less interesting in their portrayals, and whilst there are occasional glimpses of what being a S.W.A.T. member is like, these are mainly blocked out by muscle tops and bad comedy. Rodriguez could perhaps have made more of her family conflicts with S.W.A.T. responsibilities, were she allowed to. In fact, more of the darker side to being such a special operative, and then lots more action, with much less of the petty politics, would have made this potentially a good film. The directing here really lets this film down.
As it is, this is not a good film, but if one is bored and has nothing better to watch, it would pass the time. Fun at times, boring at others, this certainly won’t sustain your interest for very long. (And 117 minutes is very long in this case).