Review of Zero Dark Thirty (2012) by Ed C — 18 Jan 2014
One line summary: Well crafted exposition of the search for bin Laden from the CIA POV.
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The film follows current history from just before the 9/11/2001 attacks through the successful finding and execution of Usama bin Laden in May of 2011.
Maya is the centre of the piece. She is a new analyst for the CIA in Pakistan shortly after the 2001 attacks.
When Maya's friend Jessica, plus six other CIA operatives, are killed by al Qaeda, Maya becomes even more focused on finding bin Laden and seeing to it that he is killed.
The film concludes with the successful raid by Seal Team Six on the compound where bin Laden had been staying in Pakistan.
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Cinematography: 8/10 The extended night-vision sequences were low on detail. The film's 'look and feel,' though, was convincingly accurate.
Sound: 9/10 Good.
Acting: 10/10 Excellent performances by Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Harold Perrineau, James Gandolfini.
Screenplay: 8/10 Tight and nicely crafted, but just too long. The insistence on accuracy about the compound and the attack helicopters was quite rewarding. If you have access to the DVD, the extras are well worth watching.
This review of Zero Dark Thirty (2012) was written by Ed C on 18 Jan 2014.
Zero Dark Thirty has generally received very positive reviews.
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