Swordfish is a action/thriller film released in 2001. It was directed by Dominic Sena and stars Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Halle Berry and Don Cheadle. Also featuring Vinnie Jones
Plot
Stanley (played by Hugh Jackman), a hacker prodigy is brought out of retirement by underworld mastermind Gabriel (John Travolta) and his assistant Ginger (Halle Berry). They want him to electronically break into the banking system to steal the assets of a secret government slush fund. In return for his help, they promise to help Stanley gain custody of his daughter. Eventually Gabriel reveals that they are not simple criminals but rather are rogue agents waging a covert war against terrorism, even when the governments that originally hired them no longer support such a mission. The stolen funds would allow them unlimited resources in this struggle. In the bank break-in, Gabriel's team is killed during the escape. Or are they?
Hacker lingo is used throughout the film, at one point Hugh Jackman claims to have "Popped the firewall and dropped in a logic bomb." A copy of Neuromancer is on his daughter's bedroom floor.
The moral issues brought up by this film are especially poignant after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Tagline: Log on. Hack in. Go anywhere. Steal everything.
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