Sneakers, released in theaters on September 11, 1992, stands as a remarkably prescient and entertaining heist film that blends comedy, suspense, and a surprisingly insightful look at the early days of information security. Directed by Phil Alden Robinson, the film boasts a truly stellar ensemble cast, a witty script, and a plot that remains surprisingly relevant even decades later.
It’s a smart, feel-good thriller that proves you don’t need high-octane explosions to be engaging.
The plot follows Martin Bishop (Robert Redford), a reformed computer hacker from the 1960s who now runs a small company of freelance security consultants.
His team, a quirky band of specialists including Whistler (David Strathairn), an audio expert, former CIA operative Crease (Sidney Poitier), hacking prodigy Carl Arbogast (River Phoenix) and Mother (Dan Aykroyd), a gadget guru and conspiracy theorist, are hired by what they believe is the National Security Agency to recover a powerful black box.
They quickly discover that the box is a universal decryption device capable of breaking any code, a tool that would grant its owner absolute power.
As they try to stay one step ahead of the government, they uncover a web of deceit and are forced to use their wits to outmaneuver their adversaries.
Redford provides his signature charm as the ethical leader, while Poitier is excellent as his steady, no-nonsense partner.
Ben Kingsley is fantastic as Cosmo, the enigmatic villain.
The supporting cast, including Mary McDonnell, Timothy Busfield, Stephen Tobolowsky, and James Earl Jones, are all perfectly cast.
River Phoenix, Dan Aykroyd, Sidney Poitier, Robert Redford and David Stathairn in Sneakers (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Sneakers
Sneakers grossed $10 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office, topping Honeymoon in Vegas, which earned $3.8 million on its third weekend.
The film would gross $105.2 million worldwide.
Legacy
The film’s legacy is rooted in its unique genre-blending and its ahead-of-its-time exploration of technology. It treated hacking not as a dark, dangerous act, but as a clever puzzle to be solved, populated by quirky and lovable characters.
Sneakers is a a witty and intelligent caper that is just as much fun to watch today as it was in 1992.
