Eye in the Sky review

Gavin Hood’s (X-Men Origins:Wolverine) new film is a tense thriller that explores the ethics and consequences of drone warfare.

The plot of the film follows several individuals who, although separated by vast distances, are closely connected in their efforts to bring down a deadly terrorist cell in Kenya. These include a British army colonel (Helen Mirren), a high-ranking general (Alan Rickman), an American drone pilot (Aaron Paul), and a Somali intelligence agent (Barkhad Abdi). As the film progresses, these people find their consciences challenged as a rapidly changing situation on the ground forces them to make some difficult decisions.

Eye in the Sky opts for a slow build but once it reels its audience in it doesn’t let them go. As well as being an effective thriller, the film also offers an interesting, and very relevant, examination of issues of accountability and collateral damage in modern warfare.

Backing this up is a solid script from British screenwriter Guy Hibbert and some strong performances from its cast, including the late Alan Rickman (to whom the film is dedicated.)

If you want to watch a thriller of the more thought provoking variety this weekend, Eye in the Sky is well worth the price of admission at your nearest multiplex.

Star Rating: 4/5

Triple 9 review

Triple 9 is the latest film by Australian director John Hillcoat (Lawless, The Road). Set in America’s Deep South, it follows a group of corrupt cops who are employed by the Russian mafia to carry out a dangerous heist operation on a Homeland Security building.

On the other side of the coin are the ‘good’ cops trying to bring them down: these include Casey Affleck’s hard-nosed detective Chris Allen and his uncle, the frequently drug-addled Jeffrey Allen (Woody Harrelson).

Apart from the actors already mentioned, Triple 9 stars an impressive ensemble of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Aaron Paul, Norman Reedus and Kate Winslet (who plays the wife of a Russian mobster and who adopts exactly the same accent she affected in Steve Jobs.)

With its story of corrupt cops living a double life, Triple 9 brings to mind Martin Scorsese’s The Departed. Like that film, Triple 9 has a wonderfully gritty tone and a story that takes some nicely unexpected turns. It doesn’t, however, have the same narrative smarts as The Departed; nor does it – with the exception of Harrelson’s detective – have any well defined and interesting characters to match the ones in Scorsese’s thriller.

Triple 9 is a competently made film that doesn’t quite live up to its aspirations.

Star Rating: 3/5