I can't do The General's Daughter (1999) enough justice. It's an excelent police thriller flick. If you're up to those kinds of movies, you won't regret it. When I say "up to those kinds of movies", I mean those movies where there's no high action scenes or anything, is all about the plot, the acting and what's going on; and that lovely question you ask yourself on any great police thriller: "who did it and why?"

Popular Lt. Gen. Joseph "Fighting Joe" Campbell (James Cromwell) announces his retirement and is expected to be the next VP pick. Warr. Off. Paul Brenner (John Travolta) flirts with his daughter Capt. Elizabeth Campbell (Leslie Stefanson). U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command agent Brenner goes undercover to take down illegal arms trade on the base. When Elizabeth is found striped and killed, Brenner is assigned the case with his ex agent Sara Sunhill (Madeleine Stowe). Col. William Kent (Timothy Hutton) leads the base MPs. They have 36 hours before the FBI sends in a task force. The investigation uncovers Elizabeth's hidden sex dungeon and her commander in psy ops Col. Robert Moore (James Woods) becomes the main suspect.This thriller is overloaded with hard-boiled performances and sleazy sexuality. There is so much manly posing that Travolta gets to be off-putting. He doesn't need to be the brash overconfident investigator. He is better as a normal human being so that this over-the-top story can actually effect him emotionally. Every performance, every twist, and every turn seem to be raised up to an eleven.

This movie is based on a military site in which they believe a murder has taken place. Travolta plays the military cop who is in charge of sloving this murder. Along the way they come under fire from all directions, with lies, deaths and threats made against them not go looking for the turth. As all good thriller movies this movie builds up the suspense right up until the very end. i thought the ending to this movie was excellent, with plenty of action and "keep guessing" suspense. Anybody who loves a "who done it" movie will like this! Having read the book by Nelson deMille, I felt I needed to see how similar to the book it was...not bad, as converting a book into a screenplay for about two hours is a difficult task at the best of times. There were about three changes, but, if you haven't actually read the book, don't worry, the film was very good. John Travolta was - as usual - brilliant, as our eponymous hero. Cracking good read.

John Travolta gives a powerhouse performance in this twisty crime story from director Simon West (Tomb Raider, Con Air). It is a story about the brutal murder of Captain Elisabeth Campbell (Leslie Stefanson), who just happens to be the daughter of General Joseph Campbell, a high ranking and very politically visible General. The investigation that follows takes on a life of it's own as CID Officers Paul Brenner (John Travolta) and Sara Sunhil (Madeleine Stowe) uncover the victim's shocking secret life and the even more shocking reason for it. Things become more dangerous as Brenner and Sunhill uncover more than anyone wants made public and Brenner must use the full powers of his position to shake up the Military structure he is a part of and uncover the truth, no matter the cost. Whether he is a soldier first or a Police Officer may have a bearing on what he does with the truth once he has it in this compelling and complex mystery. Leslie Stefanson gives a nice performance as the very messed up General's daughter. Her dalliance into S&M with high ranking members on the base becomes sad and heartbreaking as Brenner and Sunhill slowly get closer to the truth, and the real reason she was mudered. James Cromwell (L.A. Confidential) gives another solid performance as the politically ambitious General and Clarence Williams III of Mod Squad fame has a nice turn as his loyal to the death aid. Everyone from Col. William Kent (Timothy Hutton) to Col. Robert Moore (James Woods) has something to hide in screenwriter William Golden's (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) story. Brennan and Sunhill's relentless pursuit of justice for the General's daughter makes for a terrific time at the movies. The ending may surprise you, as may the reason for the brutal crime and the events that preceded it. This is a marvelous Military mystery that works because of the fine performances and the sure handed direction that never lets your interest wane. You'll want to own this one as it begs for repeated viewings. This is a very good film all the way around and one you have to see.