Denzel Washington and Annette Bening play rival agents in this muddled thriller that can't decide whether it's a political message movie or a macho-fuelled patriotic action adventure. Islamic terrorists are attacking New York and different law-enforcement agencies are competing to deal with the violent outbreak that's putting civilians at risk. Listlessly directed by Edward Zwick and curiously understated in key plot areas, it is, however, lifted by the sterling and dynamic performances of Washington and Bening.

The secret US abduction of a suspected terrorist from his Middle East homeland leads to a wave of terrorist attacks in New York. An FBI senior agent and his team attempt to locate and decommission the enemy cells, but must also deal with an Army General gone rogue and a female CIA agent of uncertain loyalties.