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Eagle Eye (2008)

Director: DJ Caruso

Time Out rating

Average user rating

37 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Deep down, this techno-paranoia thriller wants to engage young minds with the notion that the all-seeing surveillance practised by our governments in the name of security is something that should concern us. All of which might be a worthwhile undertaking, if the movie itself were credible for more than a microsecond. Jerry (Shia LaBeouf) is just your ordinary Chicago slacker until his bank account mysteriously balloons, he gets home to a flat unexpectedly packed with bomb-making equipment and The Voice calling his mobile tells him he’s only got seconds before the Feds arrive to arrest him.

The Voice knows its stuff, and seemingly has traffic lights, the Chicago transport network, dockside cranes and every cellphone in America in its power. Hard-pressed single mum Rachel (Michelle Monaghan) is in a similar predicament, and soon this thrown-together duo are being ushered across America, for reasons that become clearer – but never make any sense.

‘No questions!’ repeats The Voice, and it’s good advice in the circumstances, as we wonder whether to laugh or cry at this cavalcade of contrivance. Distraction is provided by sundry car chases and explosions which would doubtless leave hundreds dead in the real world, yet here it’s izzy-wizzy pixel-land where nothing matters except the instant rush of faked urgency. Hollywood superficiality at its most mindless? You bet. But there’s also a puppy-dog doesn’t-know-any-better enthusiasm to this pacy fluff which means you can’t get that worked up at it. And FBI agent Billy Bob Thornton is worth the odd smile.

Author: Trevor Johnston

Time Out London Issue 1991, Oct 16 – 22, 2008

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User reviews of this film

Ben said...

Posted on Jul 28 2011 10:41 Saw this film yesterday and yes, it's ridiculously implausible but still very exciting, fast paced action all the way. The trailer made it look better than the finished product and the ending was predictable and implausible, but still gripping all the same. Go see it for a fun night where you don't have to think.

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Norm said...

Posted on Feb 11 2011 14:28 Unfortunately many of the reviews for "Eagle Eye" are being posted erroneously for the Roman epic called "The Eagle". Be alert.

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Greg Fleming said...

Posted on Apr 03 2010 00:13 Absolute load of Crap

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Gort said...

Posted on Oct 17 2009 12:05 If they can make crappy techno-thrillers based on Tom Clancy's novels then why couldn't they base techno-thrillers on conscience? I find this movie more true than any of the Clancy shit and nobody speaks when Clancy puts all those preposterous lies.

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star struck said...

Posted on Apr 03 2009 15:47 The protagonist of this film is a free thinking computer. I begin to wonder if the same computer wrote the script.

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David said...

Posted on Feb 22 2009 23:25 Trash. Trash, Trash, Anyone who liked this is short od several brain cells. Though yes - the trailer looked good. Film is mind-numbingly
bad,

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Vernon said...

Posted on Dec 01 2008 00:31 What an utterly dull and predictably nonsensical film churned out again by the Hollywood action people. Mind you it wasn't quite as painful as watching Max Payne, with similarly rubbish action sequences for such a high budget film.

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alexh said...

Posted on Nov 30 2008 11:18 A pretty bad film overall. Very implausable. Poor special effects. Poor character development. Aweful cinematography in the action sequences. The story and production borrow heavily from other films : Billy Thornton tries to reprise Tommy Lee Jones' performance from the Fugitive but fails dismally. The plot tries to use parts of the film Enemy of the State but again doesnt live up to it's predecessor. The twist at the end you'd already guessed 1/4 the way into the film.

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Madison said...

Posted on Nov 08 2008 11:59 This film is much more engaging than this reviewer would have you belileve. Ok - maybe not on an intellectual level but its slick, the car chase/explosion effects are satisfyingly big, expensive looking. The script has more than a few funny lines and Shia is as likeable as ever and he's great at these heroic action roles. watch out Will Smith! With a feel good ending slapped on the end, it does what it says on the packet. FUN

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sharon said...

Posted on Nov 07 2008 19:34 Saw this film last night and thought it was great. Shia LaBeouf played his part really well. Action packed would watch again.

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tj said...

Posted on Nov 03 2008 19:54 it is a fantastic film!
its just grate!
i recomend it for boys and girls
Go spend ur money
its worth cing!

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Martin said...

Posted on Nov 02 2008 18:34 It seems to me that if a film is panned by Timeout then it's probably well worth seeing and this particular film is no exception. I went to see this purley brcausde it had a bad revierw and guess what? It's fantastic and acdefinite "must see". Spend your money, go see, and be entertained. Never a dull moment in this flick!

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jericho said...

Posted on Oct 31 2008 20:13 awesome film. On the edge action thriller. Highly enjoyable

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bilz said...

Posted on Oct 29 2008 17:24 this is a wikid film to watch guys. yep, i dont regret goin to watch it

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Graeme Kirkham said...

Posted on Oct 29 2008 15:19 A qualitaaayy film really good and interesting.Wel worth watching 7.5/10

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