The Recruit: Blu-ray DVD Review (2008)

The duped.

Al Pacino is Walter Burke, a senior instructor at the Central Intelligence Agency who finds in Will Farrell’s young computer whiz, James Clayton, the perfect recruit for the CIA.

What Clayton has going for him beyond his brains and his smoky espionage looks is his need for a father figure, which Burke recognizes as he takes Clayton under his wing and brings him to The Farm--the infamous CIA training facility in Virginia.

There, he meets and falls hard for Layla, a hot-to-trot spy played by Bridget Moynahan, who may or may not be who she seems.

With everybody here as shady as Farrell’s stubble, the film overcomes its plot holes and pat ending with a brisk style and strong performances from its cast, all of whom are given time to invest us emotionally in their characters before the film lets loose with its formidable series of fireworks.

Rated PG-13. Grade: B.