Sahara

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There is a lot to admire about Sahara starring Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, and Penélope Cruz. There is a joy in the movie that other recent action/adventure films have lacked.

The story is a mix of buried treasure, African warlords, corporate greed, boat chases, and traveling buddies. The thing that I appreciated the most about it was the professionalism of the main characters. They did not seem to, as in so many other movies, fall out of different regions of space to join one another for one movie. They know each other well, they work together well, and there is no rivalry between them. They are not intimidated by foreign cultures. It is obvious that they have already paid their dues, and now they are simply putting their skills to use. I love watching professionals do a professional job, and it really helps the viewer swallow the big pill that is this movie's plot.

Another thing that I enjoyed is the glimpse of some of the less traveled parts of Africa. I am not talking about the desert, which there is plenty of, but the small villages and the close-ups of the African people. The authentic settings transport the viewer into another culture, which is one of the main reasons to watch a movie.