Eagle Eye

I know, as this film was released in 2008 it might be eligible for one of my "Another Look Back" headlines, but I've run out of the basics for that and Eagle Eye does not really deserve more than basic praise, if that.

I've seen this film a couple of times over the years and, once you get past the initial hype (of which there is very little) you do find yourself struggling to see the point. I certainly did. Yes there are enjoyable qualities but overall it is slightly bewildering. Billed as a "techno-thriller" (if you don't know what that is - watch the film; it all becomes clear) Eagle Eye essentially throws the idea of Big Brother gone wrong into 21st century America. 

One big negative point of criticism for most is the sheer audacity and ludicrous nature of the basic plot (that of a super powerful AI controlling two unlikely strangers and coercing them into a major political assassination). At its heart and at its essential core - this concept is very interesting and enough to perk your interest (not to mention being voiced in this instance by the wonderful Julianne Moore). Yet once you take that initial concept and hurl it into an over-embellished, fast paced yet ultimately unnecessary series of ridiculous action sequences, heightened to the extreme actor-interplay, and an end result that falls distinctly flat; you do not really have a winning formula. Not that I am saying there always has to be a formula with this type of modern thriller (which is supposed to be believable in modern times, but really isn't) though if there is a right way of doing things, Eagle Eye didn't get the memo.

Casting-wise there were ups and downs, but the ups definitely don't cancel out the downs. As I say Julianne Moore was an inspired choice for the voice of the enigmatic yet sinister ARIIA. What's more Billy Bob Thornton's character was a much needed boost of refreshing blunt comedy and gruff yet charming charisma.  After that we had several good talents who were just not used often enough and not in the best way at all; namely Rosario Dawson and Michelle Monaghan. They have a proven track record and did shine slightly in Eagle Eye but not enough to resurrect anything. Finally, I have never liked Shia LeBeouf; I find him overly arrogant, pretentious and obnoxious in every film I have seen him appear in. Eagle Eye did not change that.

Eagle Eye does not deserve a complete and utter slating at all, and I am not attempting to do that. All I will say is that if you want a fast enough, action packed thriller with a decent enough cast list and the bare minimum of intelligence, staying power and believability - then have at it. Eagle Eye just scrapes by; it certainly will not become a classic in anyone's mind, but that does not mean it isn't a good film to waste two hours watching.