Title: Eye in the Sky
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Gavin Hood
Starring: Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul
Runtime:1 hr 42 mins
What It Is: Colonel Katherine Powell (Mirren) finds 3 of the most wanted terrorist holed up in Kenya she has the decision to make, but as with anything political and legal red tape rear their ugly head. As the British Colonel and her commanding officer (Rickman) get approval to engage them it is the American Steve Watts who has to plug the trigger. It is this one decision that could change the lives of many not the least of which are those in the direct blast radius of the hellfire missile that may or may not is on the way.
What We Think: Gavin Hood does a damn fine job of creating tension in this flick. Throughout you’re so tense and unsure of what’s about to happen. Throughout this, there’s a real sense of the true lack of decision-making that actually goes on and around in politics. It also does a great job of showing the consequences of these indecisions. One thing Hood also does it highlights the importance of patience in these delicate situations. It’s like watching a tea kettle boil over you wait and wait for the whistle to blow and when it finally does it is important that the finish is a good one.
Our Grade: A, If there’s nothing I’m certain of in the film industry this year it is that this film will get snubbed for everything. It deserves more respect than it will get. Good to see Aaron Paul in a great film. His character, though not featured enough, gets a good majority to do. Mirren is just great in a role you would not see her in normally. One thing I found awesome was I believe this is the late great Alan Rickman’s final film. What a way to go out!