Sneakers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Robert Redford and his eclectic band of misfits break into places, steal a magical box that can break every code in the world, then use their hacking skills to make sure Greenpeace is flush with cash and the RNC goes bankrupt, all while avoiding Ben Kingsley’s terrible accent.

🍿 Sneakers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The College Prank

In 1969, college students Martin Brice and Cosmo are hacking into systems to redistribute funds. During one operation, Martin leaves to get pizza, and Cosmo is caught. Martin goes on the run, assuming a new identity.

A Security Firm with a Past

Years later, Martin, now known as Martin Bishop, leads a security firm specializing in testing security systems. His team includes Crease, a former CIA agent; Whistler, a blind sound expert; Mother, a conspiracy theorist and technician; and Carl, a young hacker.

Blackmail and the Black Box

Bishop’s team is blackmailed by NSA agents into stealing a ‘black box’ from Dr. Janek, a mathematician. They recover the box, only to discover it’s a universal decryption device capable of breaking any encryption. Janek is murdered, and Bishop realizes they’ve been double-crossed.

Betrayal and Redemption

Bishop discovers the NSA agents are rogue operatives, and Janek was working on the decryption system for the real NSA. Framed for murder, Bishop and his team must recover the black box to clear their names and prevent its misuse. Their past catches up with them, as Cosmo is revealed to be alive and in possession of the device.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bishop (Robert Redford): The leader of a security testing team haunted by his past as a college hacker.
• Cosmo (Ben Kingsley): Bishop’s former college partner-in-crime who resurfaces as a dangerous adversary with world-altering ambitions.
• Crease (Sidney Poitier): A former CIA agent and a key member of Bishop’s security team, providing valuable field expertise.
• Mother (Dan Aykroyd): The conspiracy-minded electronics expert on Bishop’s team, skilled in technical aspects of their operations.
• Whistler (David Strathairn): A blind sound expert on Bishop’s team, utilizing his acute hearing to bypass security systems.
• Carl (River Phoenix): The young, talented computer whiz and runner for Bishop’s team.
• Liz (Mary McDonnell): Bishop’s former girlfriend who reluctantly assists the team, adding her unique skills to their operations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cosmo: “There’s a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it’s not about who’s got the most bullets. It’s about who controls the information.” – Cosmo explains his motivations for wanting the code-breaking device, highlighting the power of information in the modern world.
• Martin Bishop: “Setec Astronomy? Too many secrets.” – Spoken when Bishop realizes that the acronym SETEC ASTRONOMY spells out ‘Too Many Secrets’ – which gives him the hint to what Janek’s code can do.
• Mother: “My voice is my passport. Verify me.” – Mother uses this line to gain access to a secure location, highlighting a method of authentication.
• Whistler: “The flag is up, the wind is from the east, visibility is ten miles. It’s Pittsburgh, and it’s three o’clock.” – Whistler uses his highly tuned sense of hearing to identify their location, demonstrating his unique skill.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $23,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $51,432,691
• Worldwide Gross: $105,232,691

💥 Sneakers Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love Sneakers! It’s one of those movies I can watch over and over. The cast has amazing chemistry, and the plot keeps you guessing. I especially enjoyed the scene where they’re trying to get the voice sample; it’s hilarious! The ending is so satisfying, and it’s great to see the good guys win in such a clever way.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of heist movies”
  • “Viewers interested in cybersecurity”
  • “Robert Redford fans”
  • “Those who like thrillers with a touch of humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some violence”
  • “Brief scenes of peril”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Sneakers delivers slick entertainment with a stellar cast. Redford leads a team of quirky experts through a twisty plot filled with wit and intrigue. The film balances suspense and humor, making it a delightful watch for thriller fans.
• New York Times: “Sneakers offers a clever take on espionage, blending old-school charm with new-age tech. The ensemble cast shines, creating memorable characters that elevate the story beyond typical thriller fare. It’s a thinking person’s action movie.
• Variety: “Sneakers has great elements – Redford, Poitier, Kingsley – but stumbles in its pacing. While the premise is intriguing, the film occasionally gets bogged down in technical details and underdeveloped plot threads. Still, the cast makes it worthwhile.

Audience Reactions

The cast chemistry is amazing!: Viewers consistently praise the ensemble cast and their believable interactions.

Clever plot with great twists and turns.: The intricate storyline and surprising revelations keep the audience engaged and entertained.

Overall Consensus: A highly entertaining thriller with a stellar cast, clever plot, and a perfect blend of suspense and humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The opening scene featuring the college-aged characters of Martin Bishop and Cosmo was filmed at the Hill Valley clock tower set from the Back to the Future films.”
• “To ensure technical accuracy, the filmmakers consulted with real-world security experts and cryptographers.”
• “During filming, River Phoenix was dating Samantha Mathis; she was on set the day that he tragically died, changing plans to be with him instead of going to a movie premiere with another actor.”

🖥️ How to Watch Sneakers?

Sneakers is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable VOD options. It is not currently available on major subscription streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Sneakers, you might like these similar films:

• WarGames (1983): Features a young hacker who unwittingly accesses a military supercomputer and nearly starts World War III, exploring themes of technology and security.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Like Sneakers, it showcases a team of specialists working together to pull off a complex heist, emphasizing teamwork and clever planning.
• The Italian Job (1969): Another caper movie with an ensemble cast that has a unique set of skills who execute a clever plan to pull of a daring heist
• Mr. Robot (2015-2019): A modern TV series that explores themes of hacking, cybersecurity, and corporate espionage with a focus on social commentary.

🛒 Sneakers Related Products

• Sneakers (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: A limited edition Blu-ray featuring behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast and crew, and exclusive commentary.
• Hacking for Dummies: Learn the basics of ethical hacking and cybersecurity with the latest edition. Stay safe and secure online.
• Sneakers Movie Poster (24×36): A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater or office.
• Voice Activated Smart Home Hub: Control your devices with your voice. Stream music, set timers, ask questions, and more with the smart home device.

🎧 Soundtrack

Sneakers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from Sneakers” – performed by James Horner
• “Really” – performed by Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper & Stephen Stills
• “Sneakers (End Title)” – performed by James Horner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top 10 Most ICONIC SNEAKERS in MOVIES!!

Ever wondered which sneakers made the biggest splash on the silver screen? This video counts down the top 10 most iconic movie sneakers, and it is so much fun to see which kicks made the cut. I was surprised by some of the choices!

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