The role of calm, cool and collected doctor is a much needed change from the bumbling Brit we have come to expect from Hugh Grant. After all the hoo-hah with California prostitutes and such, I guess Grant felt that he needed to start with a clean slate. Extreme Measures not only starts his off on a new foot, but the foot seems quite well shod.

Gene Hackman is rather tedious as the evil doctor. He could play this role in his sleep, and reflecting back on his performance, he probably does. I remember as a teenager that whenever my mother would see Hackman's name on the credits, she would bluntly comment "Oh, he'll die, he always does." At the time, I found the comment really annoying, like my mother had som­ehow spoilt my entire movie going experience. Reflecting back, however, he usually does number with the dearly departed by the end of the film.

Indeed, Hackman could take a leaf out of Hugh Grant's book, and try a role away from his stereotypical mold. We all know he's a major star, but after he has played the same role over and over again, it stops being acting and begins to look like real life. None the less, Hackman's role as the demon doctor is quite effective in Extreme Measures.

The role that really had me puzzled was the one played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Every now and again during a film I am really puzzled by the decisions made by directors, actors, hairdressers and costume designers. Rather than go into the many strange things about Sarah Jessica Parker role, let me just say that it was totally puzzling. Actually, as far as mystery goes, she is far more intriguing than the rest of the movie. And I don't mean in a good way.

If I were to evaluate the film in one word, I would probably say "Acceptable." The plot is quite good, but seems to fit into the traditional mode of an episode of Murder She Wrote or the like. Things get worse and worse for the good doctor until you notice that time is almost up, and so miraculously everything is solved into a neat package.

Still there are enough moments to keep you on the edge of your seat and make you squirm just a little. By the end of the movie, you almost feel there should be a disclaimer as part of the credits to say that no humans were injured or mistreated during the making of this film.

Extreme Measures is certainly enjoyable, and well worth viewing if only to see another side of Hugh Grant, but in general, this is pretty much mindless mildly thrill seeking entertainment. I would recommend it as a film you see when there isn't anything much else on, and since that seems to be now, its probably one of the more adequate picks from a very mediocre crop.