EYE IN THE SKY (2015)

Genre: Thriller/War
Director: Gavin Hood
Cast: Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, Helen Mirren, Phoebe Fox, Barkhad Abdi
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Coarse Language and Violence)
Released By: Shaw
Official Website: http://www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com/eyeinthesky

Opening Day: 7 April 2016

Synopsis:  London-based military intelligence officer Colonel Katherine Powell is remotely commanding a top secret drone operation to capture a group of dangerous terrorists from their safe-house in Nairobi, Kenya. The mission suddenly escalates from a “capture” to a “kill” operation as Powell realizes that the terrorists are about to embark on a deadly suicide mission. From his base in Nevada, American drone pilot Steve Watts is poised to destroy the safe-house when a nine year old girl enters the kill zone just outside the walls of the house. With unforeseen collateral damage now entering the equation, the impossible decision of when to strike gets passed up the “kill chain” of politicians and lawyers as the seconds tick down. EYE IN THE SKY is a contemporary international thriller set in the shadowy world of remotely piloted drone warfare.

Movie Review:

Most action films and modern day war films nowadays rely on explosions and huge spectacle. However, Eye In The Sky does not fall into this category. This film does not depend on visual noise like a typical Zack Snyder or Michael Bay flick to engage audiences. Instead, throughout the entire film, suspense and tension are bombarded upon the audience while action beats are slowly built up and used sparingly. It is one hell of an intense ride.

Eye In The Sky takes place in present day, whereby the world leaders chooses to attack enemies using drones and without risking the lives of their own citizens. Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) is a UK-based military officer in charge of a drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya. Among the group are a radicalized British couple and a radicalized American. During the mission, Powell discovers the targets are planning a suicide bombing and the usage of the drone changes from being an eye in the sky to being a weapon; the mission from "capture" to "kill." A debate happens among the higher ups in London between Lt. General Frank Benson (played by the late Alan Rickman) and other worried politicians and legal representatives. Even when decisions are finalized and as American pilot Steve Watts (Aaron Paul) is allowed to engage, further problems occur. Explored through the questioning of moral compasses, political position, and personal implications, the film shows how though decisions, judgments and actions are made during one drone attack.

The opening sequence of director Gavin Hood’s X-Men outing, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, showed that he can handle war action really well. However the rest of the movie plus the mixed reviews of ‘Ender’s Game’ may leave one feeling doubtful about this movie. However, I can guarantee you, ‘Eye In The Sky’ is definitely his best work in recent years. The film is masterfully directed. Viewer’s eyes are glued to the screen due to the heavy dosage of tension sprawled throughout the film. Hood’s direction allow the film to have an intense pace and unique editing style of cutting back and forth from different points of views- whether is it the Kenya citizens living their lives, not realizing their eventual fate or the ongoing debate around the world about the firing of the drone missile. Whereas most films would choose to dwelve into the action immediately and glorify killing of enemies of the state (like the recent atrocity ‘London Has Fallen’), "Eye in the Sky" has an even mix of ethical decision-making and does not focus plainly on action. Hood at helm makes the drone mission seem large scale than covet and as if viewers are also brought into the moral dilemma. The momentum and tone suits the narrative of the film and every scene has its purpose on screen.

Credit must also be given to the writer, Guy Hibbert. The screenplay of the film could have gone to a route filled with clichés - more focused on the action, filled with one-liners. But it did not, which is a good thing. Every scene has a layer of realism and seriousness. This entrances audience into the film. The tension and suspense allows viewers to constantly guess what is happening. To avoid a complete wear down, the script does feature much humor in the form to allow viewers to breathe and calm down before heading to even more escalating intensity. Main characters are well developed and viewers sympathize with their plight while supporting roles though not as fleshed out are an added bonus to the script.

Speaking of characters, the acting here is what you can expect from all these cast filled with enormous talent. Academy Award winner Helen Mirren portrays the impatient Colonel Powell phenomenally. Viewers can see amidst all the sternness, Powell deeply understands the implications of her actions and does her best to protect her country. Agreeing to the actions of Colonel Powell is Lt. General Frank Benson who acts as her bridge to the higher ups. Benson is the late Alan Rickman’s final live action performance. Sidetracking a bit, younger fans will remember Rickman as Professor Snape in the ‘Harry Potter’ series and older fans will remember him as Hans Gruber in ‘Die Hard’. Whether is it an evil villain or a strict teacher, Rickman always delivers astounding and memorable performances. He is likewise great in ‘Eye In The Sky’. It is unfortunate for an actor, that caliber to pass away at a relatively young age of 69. May he rest in peace while his films live on and carry on his legacy as a filmmaker.

Not always agreeing and easy to work with Benson’s character, the other higher ups and legal representatives are played brilliantly by supporting actors which includes, Richard McCabe, Iain Glen, Jeremy Northam and many more. They serve as the comedic elements of the film and are also the characters feeling the most conflict. With political power at stake, they are the ones who green lights though decisions. The banter between these characters is interesting to watch and is a highlight of the film.

The third group of characters is those involved most directly in the war. Aaron Paul’s Steve Watts is the drone pilot who faces inner turmoil when he questions his own morality. Winning an Emmy for his work in ‘Breaking Bad’ already shows that Paul is talented. His talents are not wasted here, as his character is one that people most sympathize with. His copilot, Carrie Gershon (Phoebe Fox) elevates his character. Lastly, Jama Farah, played by recently Academy Award Nominated actor, Barkhad Abdi, steals the film for me. As Muse in ‘Captain Philips’, we already knew Abdi is going places in his career most would only dream of. As Farah, we can easily confirm that. Barkhad Abdi is the highlight of the film and one to look out for in the future.

The film also marvels on a technical standpoint. Other than the aforementioned editing style, there is also well shot cinematography. The cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos is swift and well lit during scenes in Kenya, allowing audiences to feel urgency as well as to notice the surroundings carefully. Scenes taking place in military bases and drone control centers have a claustrophobic atmosphere whereby viewers can feel the characters uneasiness while doing their jobs. The scenes taking place during political discussions in London and overseas, namely Singapore and China reemphasize how the mission operates on a global scale. The only gripes I have with the shots are those from drones and gadgetry used by the military. Some of these shots are questionably too clear in real life but it could be that technology has advanced too such pristine levels. The riveting score by Paul Hepker and Mark Kilian also complements the cinematography.

Eye In The Sky is definitely one of the best war films made recently.It is an ensemble film and just like in the film, whereby Colonel Powell leads the work of many individuals excellently, Gavin Hood also excellently directs the ensemble. The transition to the action at the end is well built up to and paid off with intense suspense and gripping tension. Moreover, the film highlights numerous themes. Not only serving as an opportunely timed reminder of the cruel consequences of modern warfare, the film also highlights the difficulty of those protecting the lives of citizens of different countries behind the scenes. Alan Rickman’s last line in the film reiterates the theme no better, “Never tell a solider he doesn't know the cost of war. Eye In The Sky is a film that will not only leave you clinging at the edge of your seat but also stir up your emotions, leaving you questioning your own morals, wondering what will you do if you were the characters in the film. 

Movie Rating:

(Eye In The Sky is a unique and realistic modern war film, which offers a 102 minutes of tension, complex underlying themes, a strong ensemble cast and a masterpiece of a final performance from the late, Alan Rickman)

Review by Celestine Pang