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Eagle Eye (2008)

Director: DJ Caruso

Time Out rating

Average user rating

34 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 2008-10-14 11:35:02

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

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User reviews of this film

Neil said...

Posted on Oct 18 2008 22:20 This film is truly awesome. Sorry critics, but you are wrong. It does tell you why all the random violence is happening, and how The Voice has access to all the phones. I admit that you have to be looking out for it, and it can be a bit subtle, but it is there. Also the pacing is truly great; after a fairly epic car chase, the main character lies stunned on the floor. And then his phone rings, and you know it is not over. I think this film was improved for me because I didn't know what to expect. I was going to see a film with friends, and the only info on the film I had got was "its about an assassin", which turned out to be wrong, and because I didn't know what to expect, it made me feel really clever when I worked out what was going on.

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usman khawaja said...

Posted on Oct 18 2008 12:19 this is an interesting modern designer thriller although it could have been great-but it is good even in the hectic,techno-chic and youth-oriented manner employed to explore our surveillance agenda,the modern day technological dynamics of our daily existence and our paranoia with terrorism in all forms ,
it is what sword fish was 6 years ago -only it is frantically paced ,over-edited yet very engaging ,the two actors do a lot of shouting and running closely pursued by some well orchestrated explosions and pyrotechnic displays but they are affective too and shia is quite persuasive as jerry shaw, a vulnerable,disillusioned princeton dropout who has no faith anymore-while chased from los angeles to the mid-west by a super efficient female voice on a phone who communicates in a very amusing manner with neon billboards and public displays of pure anger which are hugely enjoyable .
in fact at times you think the woman got it right as it seems she is on the right track with the conspiracy theory but then the makers lost their wit and nerve and went for a conventional finale and it was slightly disappointing but the main premise is both provoking and intelligent as well as slick ,well paced cinema in a kind of cyber pop manner which is exciting enough

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Najam said...

Posted on Oct 17 2008 21:26 It's a really good film. It's got the suspense/thriller thing to it as well as a bit of emotion and of course, Hollywood Magic.

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Liezl said...

Posted on Oct 11 2008 17:18 This is a fantastic film for any movie lover, highly recommended.
A nail biting experience from the start to finish.
I experienced it in IMAX and this was also truly amazing!
Go and see it!

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