Demi does combat in 'intense' summer film

I will admit I was skeptical about seeing the film. Would this flick turn out like Aliens 3 - with more attention paid to the female lead's bare head than the development of a strong plot?

Although it began slowly and contained some stereotypical characterization, "G. I. Jane" was intense and entertaining.

With strong performances from Moore and Anne Bancroft, the Ridley Scott directed film focuses on women in power roles, without overdoing the issue.

About five minutes into the movie, Navy intelligence officer Jordan O'Neil, (Moore), is introduced. She is striving to obtain operational experience within the military and is bitter because her boyfriend Royce, (Jason Beghe), seems to have an easier time getting that experience - because he is a man.

But Sen. Lillian DeHaven (Bancroft) has a desire to create a gender blind military, so O'Neil eventually gets a shot at the Navy Seal's 12-week training course.

"You want me to wait for you while you go to war?" Royce asks O'Neil, illustrating the double standard that exists between men and women in combat.

Although she wants the experience, O'Neil tells the senator that she does not want to be "the poster girl for women's rights." As the film continues, O'Neil fights to be treated equally and even goes as far as moving into the men's barracks.

The early military scenes show stereotypical cigar smoking, foul-mouthed men, and yelling, degrading officers.

O'Neil is resented by the men and must deal with becoming a part of their team. At the same time, she has to deal with the grueling task of surviving the training, led by Master Chief John Urgayle, (Viggo Mortensen), who tempts his charges to quit.

As Urgayle, Mortensen is tough, fair, and extremely devoted to training his Seals regardless of their gender. In one scene, O'Neil's courage and strength is tested as she faces Urgayle in hand-to-hand combat.

As the film evolves, so do O'Neil's muscles. With the world against her, she becomes more determined. In a close-up scene, that drew giggles from the audience, the buffer, tougher O'Neil shaves off her hair.

As O'Neil's training progresses she realizes she has a new obstacle to overcome: political forces that want to see her fail. After fighting to fit in with her company and gaining Urgayle's respect, O'Neil must play politics with the senator in order to prevent all her work from being sabotaged.

"G.I. Jane's" camera movements were especially interesting and reminiscent of Scott's earlier work. Much of the training/battle scenes were somewhat jumpy and sporadic, lending themselves to Alien-esque suspenseful qualities. The film lacked a lot of expensive special effects but was memorable for its unique one-liners.

A would-be female critic leaving the theater was overheard calling "G.I. Jane" "Dynamite. (It) makes "Courage Under Fire" look like a panty raid," she said.