the film begin with martin ( redford ) and his friend cosmo ( kingsley ) in college and hack into various agency computer system and divert money to other account . martin narrowly escape a raid on their apartment and flees to canada and while cosmo go down . decade later and martin ( under an assumed name ) lead a team of private investigator and be hire by government agent to steal a code break box from a bay area scientist . but the fed aren not real . and the box find it way into the hand of none other than martin former partner in crime . all in all and it work because the math and the technology be believable and especially for the early 90 . the character be all terrific and among the most realistic see in high tech thriller of this nature and while also add a certain light hearted feel at time . the eerie feel be also realistic and with the cold war have just end and great uncertainly linger a to the world political landscape . a good soundtrack and well choose location and great write make this film solid and very much underrate .