Spartan

Sometimes with films, less is more.

In living up to its name, "Spartan" doesn't boast a star-studded cast or a massive, in-your-face marketing campaign. But this cloak-and-dagger thriller is far more gripping than its more high-profile cousins, such as "The Recruit" or "Spy Games."

Written and directed by old pro David Mamet, this film hums along at an engaging pace, with enough surprises to challenge the most hard-core espionage fans. Mamet hones a sharp edge of suspense throughout and never quite lets the audience relax.

At times, Mamet's trademark dialogue can feel stiff and forced, as it did in his 2001 caper film "Heist." But in the spy- vs.-spy environment of "Spartan," the clipped, staccato language seems right at home.

Val Kilmer stars as Robert Scott, a government operative who's assigned to rescue the president's college-age daughter Laura (Kristen Bell), who's been drugged and kidnapped by slave traders. Since Laura recently drastically changed her looks, the crooks don't know who they have. The president's no-nonsense agents — played by Ed O'Neill and William H. Macy — realize that the clock is ticking. Once the press learns of the girl's disappearance, it's likely the abductors will kill her to save their own skins.

With the pressure on, Scott teams with raw recruit Curtis (Derek Luke). With carte blanche from his bosses, the older agent rampages over and through the likely suspects until he's closing in on the girl. But time, as they say, is running out.

Though Kilmer has built a less-than-stellar reputation, he hardly ever disappoints from an acting standpoint. In the '90s, he appeared in a series of high-profile roles, including his memorable Doc Holliday from "Tombstone," the title character in "Batman Forever" and Robert De Niro's partner-in-crime in "Heat."

You can't pull off that kind of run without screen presence, and Kilmer has it. His character here is enigmatic, requiring him to set the tone with expressions and body language.

"Spartan" is rated R for strong scenes of action violence (shootings, hand-to-hand combat and vehicular violence), as well as use of strong sexual profanity. Running time: 106 minutes.