Deception is their most deadly weapon.|Apr. 18, 2003|Germany, United States|98 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Crime;Drama;Mystery;Thriller
Description: During a live fire exercise in the jungles of Panama, a team of Army Rangers trainees is led by the strict and intimidating instructor, Master Sergeant Nathan West. Sergeant Ray Dunbar emerges from the jungle carrying the wounded Second Lieutenant Levi Kendall. The two men are pursued by Sergeant Mueller, whom Dunbar kills in self-defense. Although no other bodies are found, West’s team is presumed dead. Dunbar refuses to cooperate with Military Police investigator Captain Julia Osborne, insisting on speaking to a fellow Ranger from outside the base. He draws an ‘8’ on a piece of paper, prompting the post commander, Colonel Bill Styles, to call in his friend, ex-Ranger and now DEA agent Tom Hardy, to assist Osborne in the investigation.
During the interrogations of the survivors, it becomes clear that West was known for his ruthless and uncompromising methods. One of the trainees, Jay Pike, had earned West’s anger for disobeying orders and might have staged the murder. Kendall, the son of a Joint Chiefs of Staff general and a homosexual, claims West despised him and may have ordered a “training accident” against him. He alleges that West was killed by a phosphorus grenade. When Pike confessed to the crime, Dunbar wanted to turn him in, leading to a firefight that resulted in the deaths of most of the trainees.
Dunbar, however, accuses Kendall of lying and reveals that Mueller and fellow trainee Castro were illegally selling prescription drugs. West had discovered their drug operation. Dunbar claims Mueller used Pike’s grenade to kill West and tried to frame Pike. A violent confrontation ensued, leading to multiple casualties among the trainees. Dunbar also implicates Dr. Peter Vilmer, who allegedly supplied the drugs and falsified drug tests to ensure soldiers tested clean. After confessing to the crime, Vilmer is arrested.
Cast director: John McTiernan
Cast actor: John Travolta, Connie Nielsen, Samuel L. Jackson, Giovanni Ribisi, Brian Van Holt, Dash Mihok, Taye Diggs, Roselyn Sánchez, Tim Daly, Cristián de la Fuente
Original name: Basic