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Eye in the Sky
Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman (in his last role) play the military commanders caught in the ethical crosshairs of drone warfare, in Gavin Hood’s gripping military thriller.
Director: Gavin Hood
Overview
Tension-wracked drone warfare thriller with Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman as the military chiefs caught in the moral crosshairs. Acclaimed director Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition) explores the moral implications of drone warfare in this tension-wracked thriller. Much like the eyes in the sky, Hood omniscient approach analyses drone deployment from the perspective of a variety of characters, from Helen Mirren’s curt Colonel Powell to Alan Rickman’s droll general (in his last film role); with Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) as the lieutenant controlling the drone and Barkad Abdi (Captain Phillips) as the spy on the ground.
As each character has to make their own ethical judgement on the validity of a drone strike against a known terrorist cell, the intricate morass of the moral and political implications that lie behind such military decisions is laid bare. While the film examines such complexities, it also revels in its depiction of state-of-the-art military technology, much as Enemy of the State (1998) was the first Hollywood film to examine the use of satellite technology. Combining the ensemble elements of 12 Angry Men-style drama with the laser-like precision of 21st-century military thrillers, Hood presents a nerve-jangling ride that will stimulate both adrenaline and discussion.
infrequent bloody moments, infrequent strong language
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