Sahara MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1

In this action/adventure movie, master explorer Dirk Pitt (Matthew McConaughey) and wisecracking sidekick (Steve Zahn) work on an explorer ship looking for ancient artifacts for the National Under Water Agency. They decide to take a side trip in search of a lost Civil War battleship believed to be filled with treasure. Along the way, they meet up with a beautiful young doctor, Eva Rojas (Penelope Cruz), who is investigating a mysterious disease that is spreading across Africa. They soon discover that the disease and the missing ship may be related. Their investigation gets the attention of some warlords who have an evil plan that they dont want exposed. But the trio presses on and in the middle of the desert finds a solar plant that could threaten the worlds water supply. Against ridiculous odds, they take on an army in order to save the world.

This film can be summed up in the word unbelievable with scenes like the battle involving an entire army versus two guys and a girl. Despite the convoluted plot and the long run time, this is a fast-paced, entertaining movie filled with a lot of action and a few laughs. The action violence may be too intense for young children. It involves scenes with large explosions and some violent fighting with knives and stabbings. A few startling images of diseased bodies will disturb some. Hollywoods obsession with environmental issues comes through in the form of a hazardous waste plant in the middle of a desert that can purportedly destroy the oceans and kill everyone in the world. This film will especially appeal to young boys, so parents should take note of the violence and bad language, which are the primary factors that earned Sahara a negative acceptability rating.

Preview Reviewer: Alan Boyer
Distributor: Paramount