Mercury Rising (1998) User Reviews

Flawed, but it definitely surpassed my expectations

[Beta_Gallinger · 7/10 · 29 June 2008]

Nearly six years ago, in the summer, I was camping and visiting some relatives at their vacation trailer, and happened to walk in one day while "Mercury Rising" was being watched. By that time, they were well into the film, perhaps more than half way through, but I watched the rest. I'm not exactly sure how much I liked it at the time, but didn't see anything severely wrong with it. Last night, I watched the whole movie for the first time. Knowing it wasn't the most widely praised film, and that I have higher standards than I did six years ago, I had fairly low expectations, but after that, I can't say I dislike it.

A very complex code called "Mercury" has been created by the NSA, one which is believed to be impossible to break. However, the code has been put in a puzzle magazine as a test to see if this is true, and a nine year old autistic boy in Chicago named Simon Lynch, who likes to solve puzzles, manages to break it. The NSA receives a call from this boy, and the two agents who have received the call inform their boss, Nicholas Kudrow. Kudrow is afraid of the code being spread around, so he sends an assassin to kill the boy! The assassin comes to Simon's house and kills his parents, but cannot find the boy himself, and flees when he hears the police coming! An FBI agent named Art Jeffries is sent to investigate, and he finds Simon hiding in a closet. After taking the boy away, Art must protect him and try to keep him from the assassins, which will be difficult, as he doesn't have too many people on his side, and keeping Simon in one place in sometimes a challenge!

I'm not sure exactly how to explain my feelings about this movie. Around the beginning, it seemed pretty much average, but it gradually got better. I was pretty shocked at the scene where Simon's parents are killed, and not in a good way. Some (probably many) people have criticised "Mercury Rising" for being so unrealistic and clichéd, and I'm not going to argue with that, but I can't say I think it's a bad movie. As usual, Bruce Willis puts on a memorable performance, this time as FBI agent Art Jeffries, a likable character, and then-child actor Miko Hughes is also impressive as Simon. Playing the role of an autistic character probably wasn't easy, but it seems Hughes managed to pull it off. For me, it was reasonably suspenseful seeing the two characters on the run together. The film has very memorable and touching ending as well, one which I remembered from the first time.

No, this certainly isn't the most popular action thriller ever made, nor does it deserve to be, but worse has been done. I honestly thought I would have more critical things to say about "Mercury Rising", but I don't, and it seems many of those who don't like it have given good reasons why they don't, probably better reasons than I can give for praising it. Since this 1998 action thriller is so polarizing, I guess there's no guarantee whether you'll like it or not, unless you don't like action thrillers in general, then you obviously wouldn't like it. However, if you're a fan of this genre, (you like good, though maybe mindless action), there's a chance "Mercury Rising" will do, as long as you're not expecting a masterpiece.

Better Circa 2004

[johniebegood · 7/10 · 30 August 2004]

I just watcehd this on DVD, loved it and was literally stunned to find that most people, in particular those that write movie reviews for a living slated this.

Maybe its because in 2004, some six years after its original release we are seeing a revival of the action/thriller (Bourne Supremacy etc).

So, what didn't I like, not much. I would like to have seen more made of the kids codebreaking, they could really have milked that and didn't, the opening scene was just to cliché in setting up Willis's character as were the characters of his big black boss and hard nosed chief. The very last scene was typical US syrup but was thankfully very short.

What was good? everything else, I loved the idea behind the story, Miko Hughes is totally amazing to the point I had to check the next day to find out how the hell they managed to get a autistic kid to act (is isn't autistic but is a damn fine actor), Willis really does add vulnerability to a role that he has played many times before, with the movie underpinned fantastically with a John Barry soundscore and Harold Becker carefully crafts what for me was a very enjoyable movie watching experience and stands head and shoulders above many I have seen recently. 3/5 for me

Miko Hughes steals the show

[Atreyu_II · 7/10 · 23 May 2011]

Not a very great movie, but it's entertaining and keeps the interest, despite its flaws which aren't that few. But still it deserves a positive feedback from me and I guess my rating is fair.

Even though this is another Bruce Willis's action-flick, at least this one isn't excessive on that matter, it has a story: Bruce Willis portrays Art, an FBI agent who protects Simon, a boy who is 9 years old and is autistic. Some criminals want to silence the boy after he deciphered a super-difficult code named "Mercury" and Art's mission is to make sure he doesn't get assassinated.

Since the movie is mostly about the FBI agent and the autistic boy and their chemistry, there should be more touching moments. But at least the ending has a tender scene when Simon hugs Art.

Bruce Willis won the 1999 Golden Raspberry for his performance. Well, his acting may be nothing special, but certainly not deserving of a Golden Raspberry on this one.

On the other hand, Miko Hughes won the category of Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor at the 1999 Young Artist Awards. A very deserved tribute, his acting as Simon is superb (a difficult role for a child, which he masterfully portrays). I think he should have won an Oscar for Best Child Actor. Why does it always have to be the adults winning Oscars? Why can't children win them too?

Understated film; terrific chemistry between Willis and Hughes

[witheld · 28 March 2002]

Mercury Rising received a poor reception, a fate that movies of mixed genre's often received. Audiences came in expecting an action movie, and what they found was a heartwarming film about autism.

The plot of Mercury Rising is almost laughably thin. An autistic child sees through a top secret code, and the government decides to kill him. Enter the rogue FBI agent(Bruce Willis) with the heart of gold, and watch the testosterone take over. A plot like this is something usually associated with Steven Seagal.

The salvation to this movie is the relationship between Simon Lynch(Miko Hughes), the autistic child, and Willis redeems the movie. Without falling prey to the temptation to preach on autism, it sketchs an accurate picture of the illness. Hughes' performance is heartbreaking and accurate.

Alec Baldwin maintains the movies tension with a chilling performance as an NSA agent who makes the decision to kill Simon. Baldwin revels in the role of villain, pulling out every acting chop he has to make this role believable.

Director Harold Becker manages to propel this movie beyond its thin plot, riding on the backs of the incredible talent within the movie.

Breaking the code

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 13 September 2006]

Imagine one of the most sophisticated codes ever invented ending up inside a puzzle magazine. The creators figured, incorrectly, no one will be able to decipher it. Leave it to young, autistic, Simon Lynch, it only takes him a few moments to solve the enigma code. Simon makes the terrible mistake to call the number given in the magazine and immediately, the power behind its creation wants to have this person, or persons, eliminated! At the same time, Art Jeffries, an FBI agent, has run into trouble as he mishandles a hostage situation and is demoted. When he is sent to investigate the death of the Lynches, he discovers little Simon hidden in a secret hiding place. Art, who suddenly realizes there is something more than just a homicide, takes the boy with him and embarks into an adventure in trying to solve the mystery. Nothing tells him why is this seeming innocent boy the object of revenge that will take him all the way to a higher up in the government in solving the puzzle.

Harold Becker directs this thriller that was based on the novel, "Simple Simon", written by Ryne Douglas Pearson. The screen adaptation was written by Mark Rosenthal and Lawrence Konner. While the film doesn't break any new ground, it's never boring thanks to the direction of Mr. Becker.

The best thing in the film is the easy chemistry between Bruce Willis and the child actor Miko Hughes, who is convincing as the autistic boy. Alec Baldwin turns up playing a heavy evil man. Chi McBride and Kim Dickens make some valuable contributions to the film

Not a great film but a great performance by Miko Hughes

[ogdendc · 7/10 · 11 February 2013]

There are two great acting performances in this film. Bruce Willis plays Art Jeffries, an FBI agent with attitude. Miko Hughes plays Simon Lynch, an autistic savant with a gift for codebreaking. Both are believable but Miko Hughes is astonishing – one of the best ever screen performances by a child. The scenes between the pair of them are really touching and you can believe that Willis really likes kids. Perhaps he does.

The US government's pursuit of Lynch in this film may at first appear overly far-fetched and scaremongering. Then you remember the US attitude towards the British savant, Gary McKinnon, who was accused of perpetrating the biggest military computer hack of all time by hacking into 97 US military and NASA computers in 2002. Well, they didn't kill his mum and dad, and hunt him like an animal. But after 10 years of attempted extradition, and speculation of a 70-year jail term, maybe this story is just an exaggeration of reality, and not quite as ridiculous as some commentators have suggested.

It's not really a downside but if you come to this film expecting a shoot-em-up action movie, you may be disappointed. It's much more than that and consequently slower – it's a touching drama with action scenes, and so we can forgive, just about, the pace through the middle of the film. The writing is actually very good and Pearson, Konner and Rosenthal all deserve credit.

I did find the score a bit distracting. Sort of 'too big' and too 'James Bond' for the film. Scenes without music were better. Though the music being played at the club Jeffries visits was really good and I would have liked to have heard more of Koko Taylor (now no longer with us) belting out some blues.

I was finding it difficult to see where this film was going. When Wills is with a kid, like in 16 blocks or Die Hard 4, you expect a visible end point, and there wasn't one. There was a sense of going around in circles. Until the last 5 minutes. Ultimately that cost it a couple of stars and the score lost another one. So seven out of ten for this.

Flawed but decent enough

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 25 July 2011]

Mercury Rising is far from a masterpiece, the ending is choppy and the script has its weak spots. But it was the plot that was the main problem, despite its intriguing idea it is not only very thin and routine but some of it doesn't always make sense. However, the cinematography and editing are great, and there are enough tension and thrills to make up for the heavily flawed plot-line. The film is well-directed too, and the music has atmosphere while not being intrusive. The acting is fine, Bruce Willis is good in his role and his chemistry with Hughes feels natural, and Alec Baldwin is very chilling and detestable, but it is Miko Hughes who is excellent as the autistic child who carries the movie (being autistic myself I could relate to him). Overall, flawed but a decent film. 7/10 Bethany Cox

He doesn't see things the way other people do

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 6/10 · 18 July 2010]

I haven't read the novel that this is based upon. In fact, I didn't know there was one. This happened to be on TV, I had no set in stone plans, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm honestly not sure why this is rated so low. Sure, there are some clichés. Yes, the idea of the government putting out a hit(with rather sloppy killers, at that) on a kid for a code is silly(besides, what if another one cracks it? How high a body-count is acceptable, exactly?). Look past those aspects. I haven't watched anything else by this director except for Malice, which was also a nice piece of work. This is put together quite well, with the editing and cinematography building tension and doing a decent job of conveying Simon's "ability". I've had experiences with Autistic people of different ages and varied severity of condition, and the depiction here is convincing and fairly respectful(do note that far from all who have the syndrome are as distant and/or helpless on their own as seen here), and this serves to explain and demystify it a tad(certainly more than I remember Rain Man doing). Miko researched for his role, and he does a great job. Willis is good(when isn't he?), and they do well together. Baldwin is as delightfully detestable as we know he can be. There is a nice amount of talent in the cast, if not all of it is allowed to shine. Granted, there could be more action. There is a little brutal, bloody violence in this. I recommend this to fans of thrillers. 6/10

Killed by its own premise

[jic-1 · 5/10 · 13 January 2007]

This movie has one huge problem: *its basic premise makes no sense at all*. Killing the kid is in absolutely nobody's interest. His codebreaking skill would be of immeasurable value to the very people who are trying to kill him, while safeguarding the code without killing him would be fairly straightforward. This is so obvious that it essentially ruins the whole movie.

The rest of the movie is OK if you ignore that problem. The performances are generally good, and Miko Hughes is excellent as Simon. There is nothing here you haven't seen a dozen times before, but it's generally well done. It's not worth making any real effort to see this movie, but you probably won't have a bad time if you do.

Mercury Falling >>>

[buzznzipp1995 · 6/10 · 25 October 2007]

Mercury Rising, was a loved/hated movie for quite a few viewers, especially the critics who were unapologetic in delivering a 'Razzie' award to Bruce for three films, that he was a part of in that same year. pretty harsh, well for one I feel that Bruce Willis always brings something controversial to any project he does...himself. Mercury Rising, I was happy with and entertained, which was what this government cover-up story was all about. As the sort of troubled outcast on somewhat good-terms Willis is a master. This is a lock-fit for him, he does it so well and on the other hand he slips out and accomplishes other performances with just the same skill. I.e. "The Sixth Sense" (1999) creepy-good story that he brings that Ole' Willis insight to and gives a leveled measure of believable acting that makes you say "Wow". This given, I liked the original working title to the film, Mercury Falling would have worked well too. The autistic boy, (Miko ) is really outstanding at bringing in the over/under balanced brain of Autism to understated believability. He brought that character to it's living end. That is impressive for such young actors to have so much meddle that they can use in their craft. Then there is the one who makes 'hating heavies' a way of life, Alec Baldwin, who always can appear meaner that a bull- rattle snake. His F.B.I man is as solid and scary {as the I would think} the real mean ones come. All in all fairness, this lacked totally connecting everything for a perfect film, but if you watch it uninterrupted and settle in to enjoy what this is, you should get a lot of story entertainment out of it, no problem. There is a lot of garbage made these days, and it is refreshing to see a story that you can watch and take something else away, the next viewing as well.

Bruce has the juice...(****) Recommended for Willis fans, but not limited to.

Highly unplausible action snore

[MovieDan · 4/10 · 23 December 1998]

Just finished watching this movie with my two twelve year old nephews. None of us liked this movie. I like both Bruce Willis and Alec Baldwin, but they both were wasted in this highly unplausible movie. Frankly I could not believe any of the plot turns or character motivations in this movie. Nothing made sense! Alec Baldwin is willing to kill 10+ Americans in order to protect the identities of American agents overseas. Bruce Willis is willing to defy all his superiors and take on the big, bad government to protect a kid he just met (o.k. you got me--he is anti-establishment in all his movies). A random woman in a coffee shop is willing to jeopardize her life to help Bruce Willis protect the kid. This definitely is not a thinking person's action film. As standard action fare the movie is pretty stale. Nothing new or original to report in terms of fights, chases, gun battles or explosions. Stay away from this flick. If you like Bruce Willis, rent the Die Hard series. If you like Alec Baldwin, rent Hunt for Red October.

Bruce Rising

[kairingler · 8/10 · 3 September 2008]

I'm not sure why this film is getting so much flack on here, i really just don't understand it, this is one of Bruce's better pictures and i've seen most of his work. The character development in this film is particularly good between Bruce and the little autistic boy. The plot was very good also, he has to protect this little boy from some super bad guys, led by Alec Baldwin's character the head of the NSA,, no such agency. There are some very funny moments in here, but the movie has lot's of action in it, filmed mostly in Chicago, but the important thing here i think is the relationship of Bruce's character and the little boy's character, the boys parents are murdered so "Art" has to take him into his care while he tries to protect him from the bad guys. Overall this is a very good picture, and deserves a higher rating on here.

What Bruce does best

[duckittclayton · 7/10 · 23 July 2021]

The 90's actually started the 'Child-protecting' action films since Terminator 2 but just like Arnie, Bruce does a good job at it too. Only he has a harder one with this kid. Willis keeps the action going, sort of like you would see him in Die Hard-style, but it's a pity with the final act though. Could've worked it out better there I feel.

Other than that, it has a good touch of heart between it's leading stars and there's never a dull moment.

A "concept" film gone very, very wrong

[VetteRanger · 3/10 · 7 November 2009]

I like Bruce Willis movies as a rule, and I wanted to like this one. However, the more I thought about it after the movie was over, the less I like it, and it was wearing thin even by the end.

I think this started out as a concept: Well, see, there's this super secret code, and this little boy breaks it ... let's make it an AUTISTIC boy for more punch. Then the guys that made the code are Embarrassed, so they have to try to kill him. Then Bruce finds him and has to save him OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER again, while virtually NOTHING ELSE that makes any sense at all happens. Wow, can we get a script?!?!"

In reality, if something this unlikely happened, the agency involved wouldn't try to wipe out the kid and his family, they'd soon have him looking over enemy coded transmissions. LOL

The end of the movie was far too chopped off. One minute, everyone on the boy's side is in big trouble. The next minute an FBI assault force is breaking in on the meeting and Bruce is even in the helicopter that shows up. It smells to high heaven of people who wrote themselves into a corner and had no idea how to make it work ... so they didn't make it work, and it showed.

Give this one a pass and instead watch any movie with an actual plot.

What is really sad is the grain of truth in this story

[Charles-31 · 17 August 2002]

Mercury Rising is a very conventional "government bad guys" story about evil agents out to kill an autistic boy who can break their top code. Of course, the premise of the movie, that the government would rather kill someone who can break their code rather than fixing the problems with the code, is incredibly stupid. If one boy can break the code, isn't is reasonable that some other boy in Russia or wherever can also break it? If it has a flaw that allows the kid to find the pattern, doesn't it need to be fixed? Of course, not. We just kill the kid and pretend nothing ever happened.

But, what is really sad is that there is a grain of truth in this story. It is the policy of the US Government that TRYING to break codes is illegal. If you are smart enough to figure out that the DVD encryption has a major flaw, it's not the fault of the designers, it's your fault. Researchers who have discovered flaws in codes, watermarks, etc, have been arrested. This "head in the sand" policy has been around for a long time.

So, next time you see this movie, just think how easy it would be to combine this attitude with someone a bit too gung ho.

Probably for true Willis fans only

[lastliberal · 7/10 · 15 April 2007]

It was just a matter of time before Bruce hit a slump. 1998 was a bad year. The Fifth Element was good, but The Siege, Armageddon and Mercury Rising were stretching it for the star. Not that they are a complete waste, but they are for fans only.

I work with children who have autism, so I naturally like the fact that they are featured and hope that it helps people understand the disease a little more. So, it was a good story for me, and Willis' acting with the boy probably got him the role in The Sixth Sense.

Alec Baldwin plays the government official you love to hate as he is effective in displaying why we distrust the government so much. Hope that comment doesn't get me sent to Guantanamo.

Maybe not entirely realistic, but good job by Willis and a good thriller.

great enjoyment,

[Siloty · 7/10 · 9 June 2008]

i watched this movie as it was being shown on TV. this was a really good movie.

I've always been a fan of Bruce Willis and i found his skill in his role in the movie as great as he has always been. it seems to me he works well with kids and you can see it done in this movie when he has to constantly look out for a child with autism named Simon (Miko Hughes).

Miko Hughes was an extremely convincing actor does a good job.

what happens to Simon's family because he could crack a new governmental code is sad...and also the fact the government are set out to kill him instead of fixing the problem.

Bruce Willis the protector playing Simon Says

[smokzey · 6/10 · 22 December 2007]

This movie is a treat to watch if you like movies where people can exhibit eccentric intellect. The movie guides us by combining thrilling plot twists and fast-paced action. At times, you wont know what hit you.

I saw this movie ages ago when it came out in '99, and must tell you that watching it again now is like watching it for the first time again, there's lots going on and we get moments of rest when Simon is guiding us.

Overall I'd recommend this movie for your criticism or entertainment. Enjoy! ;)

Not bad for 90's

[lvarrone · 7/10 · 3 December 2019]

This feels like a classic Bruce Willis movie, minus the big budget explosions and gunfire.

I'm not so forgiving but there is an audience.

[rossf-38244 · 4/10 · 18 October 2020]

A lacklustre film with forgettable performances, a forgettable script and an overall forgettable experience. Let's start with the somewhat positives Miko Hughes gives a nice little performance and so does Alec Baldwin who seems to be enjoying his screen time and well that's about it. To me this film proves where Willis had started to show the lack of care and thought in his performances and was just plainly eager for that next paycheck. If you want to watch a good film by Harold Decker this isn't the pit stop for you try race ahead a little further and you'll find ' Sea of Love' but if that's too sombre there is always Madonna's 'Crazy for You'.

Side note I managed to get through - 54:37 before turning it off.

Watch it for Miko's acting!

[skardu2000 · 7/10 · 11 January 2006]

I just watched this movie and Miko Hughes' acting impressed me so much, I had to come online to check out his biography. The movie was okay, typical Bruce Willis action thriller, but it was Miko's acting that made it worth watching. His portrayal of a 9 year old autistic boy who becomes a target for assassins was so good, I think he should have received an Oscar for his acting. It made me cry throughout the movie, especially the scene where he comes home and calls his mummy but there is no response. It was heart breaking.I hope we will see more of Miko's performances in the future. Worth watching just for him! Bruce Willis also did a good job, and the suspense in the film was just right. All in all, a movie worth watching.

Mind candy to rot your mental teeth

[netroach · 3/10 · 30 November 1998]

Okay, it's a Bruce Willis vehicle. But after "Fifth Element," I had come to expect something more -- well, competent.

It isn't giving anything away to tell you that this is yet another film in which the Eeeevil Government Spooks (they're always US Government, aren't they...?) have no ethical qualms about killing innocent citizens to protect their secrets.

The secret in question is the USA's latest crypto method, and is endangered because a couple of idiots stuck it into a puzzle magazine to test it.

Riiight.

Simon (Miko Hughes), an autistic child, solves the puzzle.

Apparently the writers don't understand the difference between "autistic" and "idiot savant." A subtle distinction, true, and made more difficult for Hollywood success-think by the stereotypes engendered by "Rain Man." -- yes, some autists can perform prodigies of calculation and so on, largely because of intense concentration. But they're not generally idiots, and there's essentially no chance that this kid would be the only person in the world to solve that particular puzzle, even granting it was soluble in the first place, which, given what is shown, seems quite unlikely.

In the mind of NSA bigwig Kudrow (portrayed by Alec Baldwin), this justifies killing the kid. Well, maybe, though taking him into custody until they'd assessed the risk would seem more appropriate -- not to mention more in line with real security thinking; the kid may be useful. But it's not enough to kill him, the agent whacks his parents. First. Which gives the kid the ability to get away, right into the arms of Art (Bruce Willis) Jeffries.

The rest of the movie is taken up with violence, escalating and recurring frequently enough to keep most viewers from noticing that there is essentially no story here.

Kids bring out the best in Bruce Willis

[b_u_n_44 · 10/10 · 31 March 2002]

I guess I am one of a few that really enjoyed this picture. For some reason I just felt the characters were very believable and the plot as well. I know it's just a movie but I wouldnt go as far as to say things like this don't happen. Bruce Willis is one of my favorites too, so maybe that is another reason I liked it so much. But anyone would have to agree that Miko Hughes, who portrayed the autistic 9yr old "Simon", gave a performance just as touching and realistic as the young boy from The Sixth Sense. Mercury Rising had good action, good dialogue and good emotion. And Bruce Willis gave that certain touch to make it a 10 to me.

Flawed But Under Rated

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 7 November 2014]

Despite having a soft spot for this movie, I don't own it and have not seen it in years, so when it was on TV last night I watched it with my 15 year old son.

Plot In A Paragraph: The NSA has developed unbreakable code which they call MERCURY. They test it by putting it in a puzzle magazine. Simon Lynch, an autistic boy who has an affinity for puzzles sees it and deciphers it and calls the NSA. Kudrow (Alec Baldwin) the head in charge of MERCURY worried what might happen if this gets out orders that Simon be terminated. The man he sends kills his parents but is unable to find Simon and leaves when the police arrive. An FBI Agent who is in the bad books Art Jeffries (Brice Willis) finds Simon, who was hiding and takes him to the hospital. While there, the assassin takes another try but Art saves Simon and they go on the run.

Alec Baldwin is awful and some awful CGI and green screen DUI why should be intense moments, but that is more than made up for by the performances of both Bruce Willis (who is as charismatic as always) and even more so by Miko Hughes, who is simply superb as Simon.

My fifteen year old laughed at the wrong moments a few times ("how fake does that look??") but overall he enjoyed it, and I still think it's an above average Bruce Willis flick.

Stupid stupid plot

[mpja69 · 1/10 · 1 January 2007]

The plot is so stupid i had to turn the TV off.

1. WTF does "the code" (Mercury) refer to? A secret key? Or a new encryption method?

2. If it is a new secret encryption method and its strength is that is "secret"...then it is doomed to be broken one day! The "method" should not be secret...but the "key" should!

3. If someone can break your encoded messages...increase the size of the key!

BTW, why is everyone trying to tell the story of this film in their comments?? The outline is already easy to find on IMDb!

/M