While it’s over 20 years old, time has been unusually kind to the hacker caper thriller Sneakers…

This article comes fromDen of Geek UK.

Proverbial cards on the proverbial table: I loveSneakers.

However, Ive got to share two problems first.

Then, it knocks Lizs (played by Mary McDonnell) handbag to the floor.

There, Toblowskys nerdy computer expert discovers she has stolen his ID.

Because of an accidental triggering of a toy animal.

This then alerts Cosmo (played by Sir Ben Kingsley) to the fact that all isnt well.

But why would she say that?

Ive still no idea, but again, how else was Cosmo going to rumble the intricate ruse?

It feels like the last minute suggestion at a script conference.

Given how tight the rest of the screenplay feels, these two moments inevitably jar.

He ultimately signed up to directSneakersthough, and reworked the screenplay as well.

Watch Sneakers on Amazon

That all makes it sounds a lot quicker than it was though.

The notoriously diligent Phil Alden Robinson spent just shy of 10 years himself gettingSneakersinto shape and onto cinema screens.

Even Mary McDonnell as Liz is fleshed out more than you originally suspect she might be.

She cant half dance too.

How often can you say that about mainstream Hollywood movies?

Someone, basically, bothered to get the details right.

And details are to be found throughoutSneakers.

There are lots more if youre happy to go digging.

Ultimately though its Robert Redford that grounds the ensemble.

Sneakers technology looks and feels just as dated.

And yet, paradoxically, it doesnt.

Its a film about characters first, gadgets second.

read more: Lufthansa Heist Who Was the Real Jimmy Conway?

Computer graphics, along with some excellent James Horner music, manage to up the tension several notches.

Action and Humor

Sneakersalso has one of the slowest yet exciting action sequences of the decade.

Its no less exciting, yet you’re able to see and follow absolutely everything thats going on.

An action sequence thats extra exciting because its so slow?

Itll never catch on.

Oh, hang on, it didnt.

That said, the sparks between the talented and generous ensemble generate no shortage of fun.

Hacking

The aforementioned disciplined approach to technology also helpsSneakersget away with its approach to hacking.

This is inevitably where the filmdoesfeel dated.

Not that the bloody thing would work.

Still, its hard to think of a film sinceSneakersthats done hacking anywhere near as well.

Its not about the hacking again, its about the people doing it.

The methodology is secondary.

To its credit, the film also ends on a high.

Its a brilliant, light denouement.

Theres no radical reason whySneakersworked and continues to work.

Also: more action thrillers should have a Scrabble board as an integral plot gadget.

Its almost a shame that we never got to meet up with the crew again for another sneak…