‘Eagle Eye’ reels a thrilling ride
If you judge a film like ‘Eagle Eye’ based on the fact that the techno terrorist idea has already been addressed in previous thrillers like it, then it probably won’t fly on the same level as ‘Live Free or Die Hard.’ But if you see it for what it is and acknowledge the fact that Steven Spielberg created the whole concept way back in 1996, then you can appreciate the originality of what it’s trying to prove.
In ‘Minority Report’ (one of my all time favorites), Spielberg gave viewers an insight as to just how complex the future of criminal justice could be with the aid of technology. This time, working as the producer, Spielberg hands a similar scenario over to director D.J. Caruso as they explore what technology can do for the bad guys. It’s not so much a futuristic look, but it is quite realistic in today’s society when you’re dealing with terrorists who have access to everything and will stop at nothing to achieve imminent destruction.
Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) is an unsuccessful slacker who has just returned home from his twin brother’s funeral (his brother was very successful, go figure). Upon his arrival, Jerry finds his apartment filled with top-notch weapons and high-powered technological devices, not to mention an authentic file that links him to an international terrorist organization. Then, things really start to get chilling when he receives a mysterious phone call from a woman who tells him he must obey her orders or he’ll die. Michelle Monaghan plays Rachel Holloman, a single mother who gets a similar phone call with the threat of not seeing her child again if she doesn’t follow directions.
Together, Jerry and Rachel become incriminated as members of a cell plot to assassinate an American politician. With a homeland security leader (Billy Bob Thornton), and a government agent (Rosario Dawson) hot on their trail, it is up to these two innocent victims to overcome the plot and turn the tables on their captors. But how can they possibly escape when the terrorists are everywhere and watching every single move they make? The result is one thrilling roller coaster ride after another in one of the most exciting films of the year.
D.J. Caruso doesn’t have quite the legacy to be considered an established star in Hollywood, but judging by his thrilling resume (‘Taking Lives’ and ‘Disturbia’), he is undoubtedly a true player among filmmakers, and with the help of somebody like Spielberg, Caruso’s future couldn’t be brighter. What makes Caruso’s efforts so intriguing is the fact that he can create a lot of effects-driven action and still maintain a sensible tone underneath. Sure, it may seem a little off balance, but even if he prefers to keep the action coming at about 75%, he doesn’t let any “guilt” slip into the pleasure of the remaining twenty-five.
Some might say that Shia LaBeouf is an overrated wannabe who just happens to know all the right people in Hollywood. But I consider him a gifted thespian who may get lucky with easy blockbusters, but can still make his presence felt in every single performance. He took something as simple as ‘Disturbia’ and turned it into a sharp teen thriller. He fought a robot war with the ‘Transformers’ and he even gave Indiana Jones a motorcycle ride for the ages. The kid does have connections, but for the sake of his career, he knows how to vary his roles and ‘Eagle Eye’ is seriously an upgrade in LaBeouf’s maturity. Everyone will always recognize him as the dorky kid from ‘Even Stevens,’ but once this colossal rush is over, redemption will easily be at hand for the pretty boy who let a bunch of stupid monkeys cramp his style.
While LaBeouf shines once again, Michelle Monaghan surprisingly holds up her end of the deal good enough to complete this unlikely duo. Being that they are two random people thrown together in a desperate situation, one really can’t expect these two characters to have much in common, but individually, they have their own set of values to keep you on the edge. Jerry must learn to cooperate above his laziness and Rachel must remain calm as she balances her emotions between seeing her son again and saving her own life.
What makes Steven Spielberg so great for me is not so much his cinematic gift, but his ability to make the audience aware of the gilded reality that comes with some of life’s most exciting ideas. Sure, it’d be fun to resurrect dinosaurs, but did it ever occur to anyone that maybe they weren’t meant to interact with people (Jurassic Park)? And of course you can assassinate a few guilty terrorists out of anger, but wouldn’t it be just as easy for their organization to replace them (Munich)?
‘Eagle Eye’ may not focus so much on provoking thought than it does on thrilling, but it does convey a painful reality amidst its explosive structure. Technology is humanity’s biggest obsession and sooner or later our obsession inevitably becomes our worst enemy. And the scariest part is, it only takes one set of wrong hands to start turning the tide.
It’s never inappropriate to wonder how things would’ve turned out in the event that Spielberg himself had been able to direct this idea which he created, but I trusted Caruso from the start and I got exactly what I hoped for. To say that he exceeded expectations may be pushing it a little, but for anyone who’s looking to have a suspenseful good time… the ‘Eagle’ has landed.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 26 2008. Filed under Reviews.
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