Review of Munich (2005) by Brendan M — 03 Nov 2012

This was a real shame, especially since some of cinemas greatest talent clearly poured their hearts into this project. The problem is fundamental: How do you tell the story of two opposing terrorist groups, both of which are trying to assassinate each other, whist trying not to create undue bias, whilst the foundation of one sides aggression is revenge of an horrific slaughter of their countrymen.

The film is told from perspective of the Jewish Mossad agents, and even though Spielberg tries his hardest to be fair, his loyalties are clear. Even if you were trying to be even handed, it is hard when the Arab terrorists began the film with infamous Munich massacre of 1972.

There is a conflict with the narrative and this clouds the whole film. The only way that this story would ever work is if it was less emotional and more clinical, or if it was bias towards one said or the other, allowing the audience to fully commit to one cause. Instead, we are asked to understand the conflict from the conflicted view of those involved, and those involved may be justified but they are are fundamentally wrong.

Surely it is a hard sell that our heroes are a terror group, or assassination team is wondering around Europe murdering people. But the fact is that it is somewhat justified and understandable from a certain point of view and it is the fact the Spielberg is unwilling to commit to that is what fails to engage me. The film seems to be disjointed and half hearted at times.

But that aside, the action is well choreographed, as you might well expect from Hollywood's elite. This film looks and sounds amazing, the feel is good and it is near perfect for what it is trying to achieve, but it just falls short in the narrative.

A crying shame, but an understandable one too.