Rent Eye in the Sky (2015)

Let down by its over-egged moral debate - Eye in the Sky review by MD

Drones are all the rage at the moment, and this film puts them centre stage in the war on fundamentalist terror groups.

The central idea is solid, focusing on a mission in which drone surveillance is first used to help track and capture two major suspects, and which then becomes upgraded to using the drone's weapons to kill the suspects. It is a taut and suspenseful drama, particularly in the first half as we switch back and forth between the many commanders, soldiers, agents, politicians and drone operators involved in the mission.

Where the film falls down in my opinion is (a) by giving far too much weight and screen time to the story of a single innocent girl's fate, and (b) by going on and on in laborious detail about the pros and cons of killing a few innocent bystanders to save hundreds more from suicide bombers. I actually got annoyed in the second half because the plotting was so blatantly manipulated to get the girl into the story, and because, while the arguments put forward by all the different protagonists were compelling, they did not belong in a movie. In trying to be fair-minded and show the many faceted problems of targeting terrorists from 20,000 feet up, the film lost its pace and tension, and became overdone to the point of tedium.

So, full marks for tackling a very current subject, and for at least not dumbing it down in the way movies usually do, but only three stars because ultimately the movie fails to maintain its early promise, and becomes a little too flawed and overly melodramatic to be fully satisfying.

compact, tense drama, great script and acting - Eye in the Sky review by PS

This film presents a new moral dilemma as warfare becomes more "remote" with drone strikes. What I loved about it was that it chooses one small fictional situation and explores all the implications of this one situation. The economy of the plot reminded me of Greek tragedy, so I looked up "unity of action" which is one of the principles on which Greek tragedy used.

"The Unity of Action limits the supposed action to a single set of incidents which are related as cause and effect, "having a beginning, middle, and an end." No scene is to be included that does not advance the plot directly. No subplots, no characters who do not advance the action." Apologies if you already knew this. I feel this applies perfectly to this film. The tension builds up inexorably, as there is a time pressure on the crucial decision to be made. The dancing girl is a wonderfully played character who, together with the man at the end of the chain of command, who has to pull the trigger, give a real emotional weight to what otherwise would be abstract. Great cast, with Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and Aaron Paul and all the acting is superb.

Great thriller - Eye in the Sky review by GT

Enjoyed this film, tight script and well acted. If you enjoy shouting at the screen to release all the tension that is created then this is for you

Very Topical, Very Good - Eye in the Sky review by SB

This was a surprise hit to watch for and I believe it was a British film too. I have to state this film is well paced from start to finish. This film should have got more attention at the box office. This should have got more marketing and publicity. You really won't be disappointed with this film.

Terrible - Eye in the Sky review by IC

Not only frustrating to watch (not tense at all, just frankly annoying), but there is no single standout performance from any cast member which is a suprise given the names involved. It's a completely unrealistic, unengaging fantasy scenario that unless you don't value your time, you should avoid at all costs.

magnificent triller to praise the armed forces and governments -oUK and USA- - Eye in the Sky review by MF

goood script, well acted, gripping thriller and the message is an uncritical praise of the military and governments of UK and USA who spend an agonising hour trying to save the life of a little girl int he middle of an antiterrorist operation.

Hard to believe such ethical delicacy thinking about actual operations in Afganistan and the invasion of Iraq -to this day-

An incredible, gripping film, although sadly Alan Rickman's last performance - Eye in the Sky review by TB

This film came out of nowhere. It was something which I had seen advertised & recommended, but there wasn't much fanfare for it. But it is incredible.

The film looks at the moral, ethical and legal dilemmas which are wrapped up within a military operation. Helen Mirren is the commander of a British forces unit which is ordered to capture a group of terrorists in Africa. Then the order comes that they are to launch a missile and kill the insurgent, not capture them. This then sets off a chain of events where everyone involved is forced to confront their own feelings, as well as their fears about the legality of what they are doing.

Firstly, the cast are uniformly great. Mirren at the centre brings the power and empathy she can do effortlessly to the central role. Aaron Paul also really shows his dramatic ability to move past Breaking Bad with a layered, complex character. And this also is the final performance of the masterful Alan Rickman, before his shocking passing. Although it's a small role, it's a great reminder of why he was also one of the best actors we've ever produced.

As the film goes on, I felt myself more and more on the edge of my seat. And the ending was also perfectly done as well, not a neat perfect one, but showing the hopelessness of the situation we humans constantly find ourselves: war and conflict.