“G.I. Jane” is a more than competent picture about a woman going through gruelling special forces training. At times, it is cheesy and the last act feels a little rushed but overall, I quite enjoyed this film. Director Ridley Scott (“The Duellists”, “Blade Runner”) would go on to perfect the military movie with “Black Hawk Down” but “G.I. Jane” should not be ignored.

A Texan politician (Anne Bancroft “Silent Movie”) succeeds in enrolling a woman, Jordan O’Neill (Demi Moore “Striptease”, “Disclosure”), into an elite military training programme. Jordan will face everything from the uncompromising Master Chief (Viggo Mortensen “Eastern Promises”) to powerful forces wanting to play political football with her career.

Demi Moore is great as Jordan O’Neill. The role demands a lot of the actress as she has to be tough as nails but still feminine and endearing. Viggo Mortensen is okay as Urgayle. Jason Beghe (“The Next Three Days”) is good as Jordan’s husband. Anne Bancroft overdoes it as Senator DeHaven. Scott Wilson (“In The Heat of the Night”) is terrific as Commanding Officer Salem and I really wish we got some more scenes with him because he is wonderful. The actors playing the other soldiers are fine.

“G.I. Jane” is often an overlooked film in Scott’s library and I think that is because “Black Hawk Down” is brilliant and massively overshadows this. The training sequences in “G.I. Jane” are brutal and look excellent. The last part of the film that sees the men and O’Neill get involved in a real mission feels a little sloppy but the rest of the movie is very entertaining. Also, I would really like to stress that Demi Moore works very well here. It’s not the masterpiece that “Black Hawk Down” is but “G.I. Jane” is a darn fine piece from a highly talented director.