The Negotiator is refreshing. It's an action thriller with a brain. The movie starts Samuel L. Jackson, framed for crimes he didn't commit, and Kevin Spacey, a stranger who isn't at all convinced of Jackson's innocence but is nevertheless the only one Jackson can trust. There's lots of action, gunfire, and explosions in The Negotiator, but at its heart it's a chess game, delicately but confidently played by characters who have little to gain but much to lose. Anchoring the film are powerhouse performances from Jackson and Spacey. Both have commanding screen presences, and it's a delight to see them at odds. Jackson's performance, in particular, is one of the best of his career.