Director: Gavin Hood
Writer: Guy Hibbert (Screenplay)
Starring: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, Barkhad Abdi, Phoebe Fox
Plot: Col. Katherine Powell, a military officer in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya, sees her mission escalate when a girl enters the kill zone triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Intense Thriller
Story: Eye in the Sky starts Colonel Katherine Powell (Mirren) planning her latest mission in her search for terrorists in Kenya. She has two drone pilots located in the States Steve Watts (Paul) and rookie Carrie Gershon (Fox) being her eyes in the sky as Katherine co-ordinates with the locals in Kenya planning the take down.
We continue to meet everyone else involved in this operation with Lieutenant General Frank Benson (Rickman) keeping everything under control from a British military office and Jama Farah (Abdi) a ground surveillance from the ground.
Finding the terrorists, the we get go through the legal and ethical decision about any drone attack, this is what creates all of the tension through the film.
Eye in the Sky shows us the modern warfare and how the search for these deadly terrorist, the story shows how difficult these decisions the people involved have to face because they are not only trying to stop terrorist attacks they are trying to protect the innocent lives involved too. Having the people located all over the world also shows us how much of a global operation this actually is too. I think the tension is built up through the film that does help keep us on edge and is willing to offer up the questions about what we would do too.
Actor Review
Helen Mirren: Colonel Katherine Powell is running the operation to locate and capture known terrorists in Africa. She has to communicate with people all over the world on this operation as well as dealing with legal and ethical consequences. Helen gives us a great grounded performance through this film.
Aaron Paul: Steve Watts is the drone pilot stationed in Nevada having to watch over the situation unfold, he knows that he is pulling the trigger that could end innocent lives. Aaron is good in this performance showing all the emotion needed in the role.
Alan Rickman: Lieutenant General Frank Benson has to communicate with the highest ranking officials as to what can be done for the good of the mission and the good of the country all after he had the difficult decision what present to buy. Alan gives the performance you would expect from him in one of his last before we lost great.
Barkhad Abdi: Jama Farah is the Kenyan agent on the ground that has to risk his own life to get close to produce a positive ID on the suspects. Barkhad is good in this role having to deal with the most action involved in the story.
Support Cast: Eye in the Sky has a supporting cast that are all involved in the operation from all around the world they all help balance what would be the right or wrong decision.
Director Review: Gavin Hood – Gavin gives us a thriller that keeps you on edge throughout as well as offering all the questions needed during these operations.
Thriller: Eye in the Sky keeps us on edge wondering how the operation will go from start to finish.
War: Eye in the Sky shows us all the angles on the modern warfare when it comes to the decision making when dealing with terrorists and innocent lives.
Settings: Eye in the Sky puts our characters in different global positions when it comes to dealing with the operation, each location shows how modern warfare is being handled now.
Special Effects: Eye in the Sky uses the effects very well throughout when needed but never turning them too often.
Suggestion: Eye in the Sky is one I do think everyone should enjoy. (Watch)
Best Part: Tension being built.
Worst Part: I think some people might expect more action.
Oh My God Moment: Final decision.
Favourite Quote: Lt. General Frank Benson ‘Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war.’
Believability: This could be a real operation.
Chances of Tears: Maybe.
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $13 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 42 Minutes
Tagline: Welcome to the new front line.
Overall: One of the most intense thrillers of the year.
Rating
