DIRECTOR: Gavin
Hood LEAD CAST: Helen Mirren,
Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, Iain Glen SCREENWRITER: Guy Hibbert PRODUCERS: Ged Doherty, Colin Firth, David
Lancaster MUSIC BY: Paul Hepker,
Mark Kilian FILM EDITOR: Megan
Gill GENRE: Drama, Mystery,
Suspense CINEMATOGRAPHER: Haris
Zambarloukos PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Johnny Breedt ART DIRECTOR: Graemie Cowe PRODUCTON COMPANIES: Entertainment One,
Raindog Films DISTRIBUTED BY:
Entertainment One, Bleecker Street COUNTRY:
United Kingdom, South Africa LANGUAGE:
English FILMING LOCATIONS: South
Africa RUNNING TIME: 102 minutes
Technical assessment: 4
Moral assessment: 2.5
CINEMA rating: V14
The murder of a colleague in the service
by Al-Shabaab terrorist group triggers UK-based military officer
Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) to command a high profile
mission for the capture of the terrorist group in Kenya. Through aerial
surveillance remotely controlled in Kenya, UK, Nevada and Hawaii, they uncover
a planned attack of two suicide bombers. This development prompts Powell to
change objectives from capturing the terrorist to killing them. However, American
pilot Steve Watts (Aaron Paul), refuses to release the bomb when he sees
that a young girl in the nearby building will surely be part of the casualty.
This triggers international dispute between the US and British governments
concerning modern warfare. Which will have more weight? Propaganda
or international security? Whose life is more valuable? The thousand of would
be victims or that of one little girl?
Eye in
the Sky has a strong plot and develops well. The storytelling pieced
together through surveillance cameras speaks of a masterfully crafted
production. The well written screenplay has several meanings. Excellent
performances from Mirren, Paul and Adbi further elevate the characterizations.
Production design and cinematography successfully depict a realistic setting. The lights and sound are likewise fine.
Noteworthy is the silence right after the explosion. Overall, the
film is technically commendable.
Life is precious and it is never an easy decision
to choose between two lives. It is an utmost undertaking especially when
time is of the essence and not only one but many innocent lives are in
danger against heartless terrorists. This is what transpired in the
movie Eye in the Sky. The
leadership of Powell illustrates a spirituality that recognizes God and implores
His divine intervention amidst a chaotic situation. While logical thinking
and strategic tactics are applied in executing the plan to turn
down the targets, this film remains to have a heart and cares
even for a single life. However, violence
is inevitable as this is a war film, but the film gains relevance as it
portrays how war dehumanizes man in an age when the decision to take lives
rests in the hands of power wielders sitting in comfortable offices far removed
from the war zones.
