Review of Sicario (2015) by William L — 19 Oct 2016
A friend clued me into this movie. Fantastic. It's a bit of a Western shoot em up but with the claustrophobic sense that the problem cannot be solved by more violence from the gun-slinging cowboy (cowgirl).
Instead the movie offers real people involved in complex situations of violence and desperation. Some great analysis has been done on the various scenes, especially the gun fight in the toll booth; but what I was moved by was the humanity of the thugs who get creamed by the CIA agents.
Yes they were gangsters and bent on horrible violence, but the way Villeneuve treats them they have moments that reveal their fear, their indecision, their attempt to muster the grit to perform the violence.
.. in short, their humanity. They are no more cardboard characters than anyone else in this fine movie. Great story, camera work by Deakins, music by Johannsson, directing and pacing are great - moments of extreme tension throughout the movie.
The violence, language, are not gratuitous but work to further the vision of the movie. Really fine piece of cinema.
This review of Sicario (2015) was written by William L on 19 Oct 2016.
Sicario has generally received very positive reviews.
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