(MCT)

It seems that movies based on the assassination of a president have become a staple in the genre of political thrillers.

From last year’s “Shooter,” to the controversial film “Death of a President,” to “In the Line of Fire,” and even on the small screen with the weekly television series “24,” there’s no denying our fascination with how we might imagine ourselves coping with the death of our commander in chief.

With “Vantage Point,” the latest film to tackle an exhausted subject matter, the question is whether or not the film has what it takes to stand out in an already crowded marketplace.

Taking a rather unique approach, “Vantage Point” combines the assassination theme with post-9/11 global terrorism. From the Secret Service to an innocent tourist bystander, we see an assassination attempt on the president from eight different points of view.

The unique element of “Vantage Point” is its ability to examine the same 23 minutes of chaos in such distinctive ways. The film analyzes all pieces of the jigsaw puzzle one at a time and illustrates how each piece offers an added dimension of suspense.

Don’t be discouraged when you see the film rewind over and over again. With each retelling, the viewer gets closer to understanding the big picture as a whole, and each additional angle delves further beneath the surfaces than the one preceding it.

The narrative of the president’s assassination begins with world leaders gathering in Spain for a groundbreaking summit against terrorism, and the president of the United States (William Hurt) is about to speak at a midday rally.

Our first vantage point can be seen through the eyes of the media via a cable news network producer (Sigourney Weaver). This aspect is particularly intriguing as it shows how the media struggles to maintain composure during a time of mayhem. In journalism, it’s the reporter’s job to relay the facts to the public and abstain from showing emotion, however difficult that may be.

When the viewer least expects it, the film makes an abrupt stop, like a commercial break at the most suspenseful moment in an episode of “24.” A clock appears and the film literally rewinds back to the beginning of the story.

Following the rewind-effect instead of focusing on Weaver’s character, the film centers on two Secret Service agents, Taylor (Matthew Fox) and Barnes (Dennis Quaid). The viewer sees more of Barnes’ vantage point, whom the film identifies as a secret agent on edge and on the brink of paranoia after having taken a bullet for the president just six months prior.

With every retelling, the film rewinds and starts over again, giving a new perspective each time. When it comes to American tourist Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker), the story becomes one that the audience can relate to. After all, seeing the events take place through the eyes of an innocent bystander is easier to interpret than through the eyes of a Secret Service agent, a terrorist or the U.S. president.

Whitaker’s portrays Lewis as a sympathetic and compassionate man. As the story continues to unravel, he takes on the role of a hero as he risks his own life to protect a Spanish mother and her little girl despite all the turmoil.

One thing worth noting is “Vantage Point’s” blatant rip-off of the film “Crash.” Whitaker’s save and rescue mission of the little Spanish girl delivers the exact same sentiment of “Crash’s” invisible cloak scene with the young Hispanic girl.

The side stories of Weaver’s and Whitaker’s characters make it confusing for the viewer to put all the pieces together.

As the film progresses, major twists in the plot occur that make the remainder of the film very interesting. Eventually, even though the puzzle isn’t 100 percent complete, the audience is able to see what the final picture is before it’s over.

“Vantage Point,” which takes a risk in its rewind concept, delivers an entertaining drama. The action sequences and car chase scenes are comparable to that of “The Bourne Ultimatum.”

Despite lacking in the screenwriting department with some cringe-worthy dialogue, “Vantage Point” delivers a satisfactory addition to the growing genre of political thrillers involving the assassination of a president.

Frank Godinho can be reached at [email protected].