My Review of recent film I saw.
First off let me say that I am not a movie critic. I simply want to give my personal opinion on a movie that my wife and I saw this past weekend. If I didn't like the picture I wouldn't probably have much at all to say about it. Also let me preface my review by saying that, I know this is in no way related to my niche website. That being said I do hope my expressing my opinion doesn't land me in any trouble here in WA. Okay here we go:
The movie in question is "Eye in the Sky" directed by Gavin Hood, starring Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman (his final performance) and Barkhad Abdi. There are other supporting cast members but I don't want this to be too long a post.
The plot focuses on several sets of military and government personnel trying to decide whether to launch a drone strike that will almost certainly result in civilian casualties, while the prospective targets are Al-Shabaab militants in Nairobi, Kenya. Those involved deciding their fate are scattered across the globe, contemplating their prey via high-in-the-sky surveillance drones hovering above the bad guys’ safe house. The point not to be overlooked is this is a British operation. Though the Hellfire missiles will be launched, if they are, by U.S. military personnel at a base in Las Vegas, the folks trying to determine whether to go ahead are mostly located at Whitehall in London and a military base in Sussex.
The movie is laden with contemporary references with a reminder of the 2013 Nairobi mall attack. When the British Foreign Secretary decides he can’t decide what course of action to take, the can is kicked to the U.S. Secretary of State (Michael O'Keefe). The movie finds him at a ping pong tournament in China, and the Secretary instantly conveys his assent. Then comes the priceless moment: a look/gesture from him that effectively says, “Those Brits—what a bunch of wusses.” (No offense to any UK residents) I don't want to give away the whole movie as there are people that will want to see it. I will say the film portrays the tension and anxiety that everyone involved goes through agonizing over the decision to strike. The acting is superb, the settings are completely realistic and you are on the edge of your seat from the moment it starts till it ends. So this movie definitely gets my thumbs Up!
Recent Comments
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Good review. I like intrigue movies like the ones Matt Damon played in, The Borne Series. I think I would like to see this one as well.
For someone who stated they aren't a movie critic, you certainly write like one :). Great review!
Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren are both brilliant actors. And I do love watching a movie that's "brain food", so I'll look out for it on pay tv. Thanks for the review Ed.