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Bookmark this pageEagle Eye (2008)
Director: DJ Caruso
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
User reviews of this film
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- ragina said...
- Posted on Oct 26 2008 19:40 this film is the balls of steel. banana styley innit!
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- Craig S said...
- Posted on Oct 26 2008 16:09 Really bad film sooo disapointing as the trailer looks awesome! It was totally unoriginal, and just pants, dont waste your money guys, there are much better films out than Eagle Eye
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- ash said...
- Posted on Oct 26 2008 14:06 who ever rated this film less than a 6 is an idiot!!! this is one of the best films of the year and none of you have taste shia is god!!
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- Arnold said...
- Posted on Oct 24 2008 18:04 x-goth-luv-x has awarded 6 stars to a film she ain`t seen. I seen it and it`s crap.
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- x-goth-luv-x said...
- Posted on Oct 24 2008 17:22 OMG ! i haven't seen it yet but it's wierd coz if i only read timeout's review i wouldnt c it and if i only saw peoples reviwes i would. That's the rubbish thing about timeout it gives really bad revciwes to everything!!! The people are the one's who pay to c it for entertainment rather then a job so at least give it a good review for pity's sake!!!!!!!! GO AND SEE IT EVERYONE SAYS IT'S FAB AND IGNORE BAD REVIEWS!!!!!!! my friends all say it wasthe best film they'd seen this YEAR!!!!!!!!
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- simon c 123 said...
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Posted on Oct 24 2008 13:27
I saw the film on a whim whilst waiting to catch the Eurostar train back from Brussels to London. I was so glad I did. I too think it was awesome. Yes the critics on this occasion seem to have got it mostly wrong. It is the sort of film, whilst being a mostly action, car chase blow it up shoot em up type of flick, does pose the question 'how much we are all being watched, how much of the time and by whom'.
Come on, its an action flick, but you will find yourself talking about it to your pals. Whether its on a hoity toity film buff way or a questioning the big brother theory is down to you.
Go see it, make up your own mind, then like me, be bothered to leave your own review. I liked it and would give it a 8 / 10. good luck , enjoy. - Report as inappropriate
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- Ed said...
- Posted on Oct 24 2008 13:23 methinks i'll go see this one tonight then :)
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- Andy said...
- Posted on Oct 23 2008 23:43 One of the most pointless and wrong reviews ever written, you are living a lie timeout. Incredible film, slightly ambitious plot, but nevertheless a pursuit of ecological validity. Awesome. See it before you judge!
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- storm7263 said...
- Posted on Oct 23 2008 23:27 Just seen this one and it was awesome. So glad I didn't take any notice of the time out review. It was very fast paced, edge of your seat stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The two main characters were very convincing. Billy Bob Thornton was surprisingly good too. A definite must see film.
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- critique said...
- Posted on Oct 23 2008 09:21 Opens interestingly but soon develops into a standard tech-based action thriller. Well made overall but, as with Taken, the soppy ending really grates.
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- jon said...
- Posted on Oct 22 2008 19:51 Fantastic action well worth seeing really enjoyed it despite what time out said they seem to give alot of films these days really mediocre revies when they are really good films
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- mary said...
- Posted on Oct 22 2008 19:04 Do go and see this one. It has you on the edge of your seat- all action. But I think it might have been shortened
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- john said...
- Posted on Oct 22 2008 16:31 Very entertaining baffled why time out only gave it 2 stars because it deserves 4 or 5
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- anju said...
- Posted on Oct 20 2008 10:20 i havnt see it yet i cant afford to!!
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- usman khawaja said...
- Posted on Oct 18 2008 23:54 neil -i totally agree with you it surprised me too -sorry i forgot to rate it -it rocks and it is so challenging of the bush administration -really tongue in cheek too -bravo
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Cast & crew
Director: DJ Caruso
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Mackie, Michael Chiklis, Ethan Embry, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Azizi, Cameron Boyce, Lynn Cohen, Bill Smitrovich, Charles Carroll, William Sadler full cast
Rated: 12A
Duration: 117 mins
UK Release: Oct 17 2008
US Release: Sep 26 2008
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