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“Vantage Point” is a fast-paced thriller that doesn’t go anywhere.

“Vantage Point” (van- tij point) noun - the juggernaut of cinematic suck that can be found when Dennis Quaid and a pitiful script collide.

While attending a historic anti-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States (William Hurt) is shot, but something is a foul. Despite the promised twist ending in the movie’s synopsis, the only twist comes about midway through the film and is then further butchered from there.

Through an annoyingly repetitive series of chronological relapses the story is told over and over from different perspectives. 

Coming in at an hour and a half “Vantage Point” is a fast-paced thriller geared towards the “National Treasure” type crowd.

Sigourney Weaver makes a brief appearance and Forest Whitaker adds an extra wrinkle to the cast in the form of an innocent bystander with a knack for amateur cinematography. 

And all of the cheesy one-liners that can be muttered in an action movie are there: “not on my watch;” “once this is over, we’ll go away together;”and this little gem, “surprised to see me alive?” It’s a wonder Vin Diesel and The Rock didn’t sneak their way onto the cast.

Written by Barry Levy (“Wag the Dog”), the movie seems to have been pieced together one night over way too many drinks. But unfortunately for the viewing public, the idea didn’t vanish into a hangover and some mysterious stains; instead developing into the kind of movie that makes dumb people feel smart.