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Review

No, this high-concept yet ill-conceived production was not the blockbuster or the beginning of a multi-sequel franchise that it appeared positioned to be but it is awfully entertaining. Matthew McConaughey and Steve Zahn star as former Navy pals turned globe-trotting treasure hunters who team up with World Health Organization doctor Penelope Cruz for an adventure when they run afoul of international bad guys who work with a corrupt members of an African government. William H. Macy and Delroy Lindo show up as supporting characters in this uneven mix of comedy and action that manages to be consistently entertaining and wildly preposterous. It is the schizophrenic nature of the screenplay that gets in the way of the films success because, at its core, the story (adapted from Clive Cussler’s book) of the film – an intricate plot that involves environmental issues and gold coins in a U.S. civil warship that is now in Africa – is actually pretty good. Watching the terrifically rendered action sequences it really becomes clear that this film could have been much better if the producers had played it as a straight up adventure/thriller and left the feeble attempts at comedy out. There is no denying the charms of McConaughey, Cruz and perennial goofy side-kick Zahn and action fans will not be disappointed but an action film with a good story is so rare that fans of the genre might feel like this is one that got away.

 -- David Greenberg