--- title: "Enemy of the State: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/enemy-of-the-state/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/enemy-of-the-state" critics_score: 69 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Enemy of the State (1998): what the critics said Critics' score 69 from 9 reviews: 6 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like Enemy of the State as a fast, noisy chase thriller and do not ask much more of it. Six of the nine reviews are positive, and the praise clusters in two places: Tony Scott’s direction, which several reviewers credit with keeping the paranoia moving at a sprint, and the two leads. Will Smith is found charismatic and funny, and Gene Hackman’s tense, dry presence is singled out again and again, even by critics who are otherwise unimpressed. The reservations are about the plot rather than the people. More than one review notes that the conspiracy story is borrowed, and Variety finds it short on the political urgency and emotional weight of the thrillers it imitates. The spread is wide: the lone negative notice, from The AV Club, calls the film competent but formulaic, with a slow opening and surveillance scenes that fail to grip. ## Empire — Andrew Collins Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic calls the film great fun, praising its stylish visual approach and sustained paranoid pace. He also singles out Gene Hackman and the offbeat supporting cast for keeping the film compelling. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/enemy-state-review/) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. The review calls the thriller cracking, with plenty of edge and appeal. It praises Tony Scott’s direction and Will Smith’s central performance. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-8h01gp/enemy-of-the-state/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 26 December 1998. The review calls it an immensely satisfying, fast-moving chase movie despite its unoriginal plot. It praises the performances of Will Smith and Gene Hackman, along with Tony Scott’s visual flair. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/enemy-of-the-state-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 20 November 1998. Ebert considers it an entertaining, energetic surveillance thriller. He singles out the film’s fast-paced direction and elaborate use of surveillance technology for praise. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/enemy-of-the-state-1998) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 November 1998. Maslin gives the film a generally positive verdict as a lively thriller. She singles out its energetic, high-tech suspense as a strength. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/20/movies/film-review-the-walls-have-ears-and-eyes-and-cameras.html) ## Time Out — NB Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page identifies itself as a film review, but its review text is unavailable here. No critical verdict or specific praise or complaint can be established from the accessible material. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/enemy-of-the-state) ## Variety — Emanuel Levy Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 15 November 1998. Levy finds the film sporadically entertaining but lacking the political urgency and emotional resonance of classic conspiracy thrillers. He praises the performances, particularly Will Smith’s leading turn and Gene Hackman’s tense, humorous presence, while faulting the limited psychological depth. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/enemy-of-the-state-1200455947/) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 29 March 2002. Phipps finds the thriller competent but underwhelming, arguing it brings little new to the paranoid-conspiracy formula. He praises Gene Hackman’s performance and the likable lead and supporting actors, while criticizing the slow start and surveillance scenes. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/enemy-of-the-state-1798195762) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2001. The critic finds it an entertaining, fast-paced thriller that will keep viewers engaged. He particularly praises Will Smith’s charismatic, humorous action-hero performance and Tony Scott’s steady handling of the chase-and-conspiracy story. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/enemy-of-the-state-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/enemy-of-the-state.md