Ronin

Name: Ronin
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Released: September 25, 1998
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Robert De Niro

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 195 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 195 Ratings

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Ronin

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Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: September 25, 1998 | R

Starring: Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Robert De Niro

Summary: When an international team of former Cold War intelligence adversaries meet in a warehouse, their adventure of friendship, intrigue and betrayal has just begun. Like the masterless Samurai of ages past, these modern day Ronin are embarking on their final covert mission -- to recover a mysterious briefcase for an unknown employer and to stayWhen an international team of former Cold War intelligence adversaries meet in a warehouse, their adventure of friendship, intrigue and betrayal has just begun. Like the masterless Samurai of ages past, these modern day Ronin are embarking on their final covert mission -- to recover a mysterious briefcase for an unknown employer and to stay alive. (MGM)… Expand

Director: John Frankenheimer

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 122 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Dallas Observer Bill Gallo

As is common in a Frankenheimer picture, the plot lines get a bit tangled in Ronin, but the atmosphere is tense, the style impeccable. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

It's a welcome throwback to the days when the world didn't have to end or tanker trucks explode to get an action audience's attention. Read full review

Staff(Not credited)

Ronin represents an exhilarating return to form for Frankenheimer. Read full review

Anthony Lane

After a while, you stop counting the chases -- they just get longer and louder, and it's like watching the revival of a forgotten art form; the fact that it's done with a minimum of special effects makes it all the more stirring. Read full review

Michael Sauter

It's not just the crack stunt driving that makes Ronin such a welcome throwback; it's also the existential hardness of this thriller's motley band of mercenaries. Read full review

David Denby

Ronin is well-made, but it's an act of connoisseurship for people who have given up on movies as an art form. Read full review

Lisa Alspector

Not even supercool Robert De Niro can enliven this boring tale about a team of mercenary operatives. Read full review

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User Reviews

wadewilliams

Jan 23, 2015

Finally, a movie that allowed you, if not forced you, to use your imagination. I found the plot to be compelling (who is really who and whom can you trust), De Niro is spot-on, and the car chase scenes are the best ever found in this genre of film. This is neither an action thrillerFinally, a movie that allowed you, if not forced you, to use your imagination. I found the plot to be compelling (who is really who and whom can you trust), De Niro is spot-on, and the car chase scenes are the best ever found in this genre of film. This is neither an action thriller nor a "shoot-em-up, chase 'em" film. It is a film that runs its own course and holds its own place. What's in the case? Who cares? It's a film that gets more appreciated the second, third and fourth time you see it.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

Solarium

Jan 12, 2020

A- *************************************************************************

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

alejandro970

Mar 5, 2022

The film does not deny its resemblance to Contact in France (1971) since it does so with a particular style, with justified dialogue and action scenes, not to mention the car chases, the kind that make the adrenaline rush in the head. Good option for an afternoon of popcorn.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Spangle

Dec 20, 2013

Pretty good all around. Had a good amount of intrigue, thrills, and action, to keep your attention throughout this one. It was a little confusing at times, but wrapped up pretty nicely.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

DawdlingPoet

Nov 24, 2021

This is quite a fast paced, tense thriller, with Robert De Niro and Jean Reno. Its got some nice settings and features decent car chases and the like. I wouldn't say I found it especially gripping as such but as an action/thriller type film, its certainly not bad. The car chases wereThis is quite a fast paced, tense thriller, with Robert De Niro and Jean Reno. Its got some nice settings and features decent car chases and the like. I wouldn't say I found it especially gripping as such but as an action/thriller type film, its certainly not bad. The car chases were probably my favourite aspect. The storyline is interesting enough but it didn't really have me on the edge of my seat. I quite liked that its set in France, as I recognised one or two places from holidays I've been on - it makes a change from such films being shot in, say, the US, or London etc. I guess. I wasn't too keen on the villains, who looked rather stereotyped, as if they'd come out of a graphic novel or some such. I liked that Sean Bean was in it though.

This is not a bad action/thriller, so yes I suppose I would recommend this - to fans of car chases and thrillers set in Europe.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jacked_beast

Sep 28, 2014

Overall, it was okay. The story line was decent and the car chases were well done. It kept my interest and is worth a watch only if you rent it. Its not worth watching multiple times. The ending has a decent plot twist which was nice.

0 of 17 users found this helpful017

CalibMcBolts

May 30, 2016

John Frankenheimer's ''Ronin'' is too serious to be a fun popcorn movie and simply too bad, to be a good serious action/thriller. Overall it's a disappointing film. It has some good action sequences and good performances from De Niro and Reno (as you would expect) to save this movie. The theJohn Frankenheimer's ''Ronin'' is too serious to be a fun popcorn movie and simply too bad, to be a good serious action/thriller. Overall it's a disappointing film. It has some good action sequences and good performances from De Niro and Reno (as you would expect) to save this movie. The the plot seems inevitably simple but turns out to be confusing at the beginning and barely gets clear along the way.
Also, the whole plot is just a massive McGuffin that goes nowhere, as always with McGuffin plots.… Expand

1 of 11 users found this helpful110

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62	#62 Best Movie of 1998
46	#46 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
16	#16 Most Shared Movie of 1998