Sicario (2015)

"You're asking me how the watch is made. 

For now just keep your eye on the time."

Probably not a film that the Mexican tourist board will be screening any time soon.

An up and coming FBI agent is enlisted by a secretive government task force to combat the war on drugs at the border. 

From the director of 'Prisoners' this seemed like it had the potential to be a really interesting movie and it sort of is? 

It has its flaws but it also has some really excellent filmmaking that takes us deep into some dark places.

Straight from the start, the tone is set for this film. It's a dark and brooding film about the horrors of the war on drugs and the gang violence that is inevitably involved. Emily Blunt as Kate Macer is kicking down doors but not getting anywhere. When the opportunity arises for her to join a government task force to get her teeth sunk into the cartel, she takes it without hesitation. 

The first act of this film is exactly what I was hoping for and expecting from seeing the trailer and knowing director Dennis Villeneuve's work.

It has you on the edge of your seat with a foreboding sense of unease that unsettles and worries you. When you step across the border with Kate Macer you really feel like you're stepping into a foreign and dangerous land, you're experiencing the danger with her and through her. 

The performances in this film are, on the whole, pretty good. Josh Brolin, as always, gives an interesting and measured performance as the task force leader Matt Graver. He is working alongside the mysterious Alejandro, played by Benicio Del Toro, who seems to have an agenda of his own. The combination of these two characters contribute to the main mystery of the plot and compliment Emily Blunt's character very well.

Emily Blunt's character Kate starts off as an intriguing character but, unfortunately, doesn't particularly go anywhere. For being a strong female lead, she's not really that strong and I would argue that she doesnt end up being the lead. She cries a lot in this film. I would have loved to have seen her character stand up for what she believes in but we just sort of lose interest in her towards the end. Disappointing for what could have been a very unique and powerful character. Her character is a very obvious metaphor for an ideals driven government and a failing democracy, which was really interesting, yet I still felt like you needed more from her. 

As we dig a little deeper into the story, things get a little messy and a little off track. The film slows down but not necessarily in a good way. The uneasy sense of dread that was ever present in the first act gets lost in the crossfire of the slow plot. There are some interesting moments that hold the story together but you begin to check your watch around the end. 

The points that the film is trying to make are understandable and compelling but how it goes about it is heavy handed and sometimes a bit in your face. It lacks a lot of subtlety that would have balanced out some of the issues. 

There is a certain shock factor that goes with the film which was effective in some instances but was overused towards the end. It feels a little like shock for shock value's sake but it makes its point and leaves you thinking about it. 

This isn't really a spoiler but one major thing that threw me off was the fact that throughout the whole story you are following Kate Macer's story, you are invested in that character (to an extent) and you are wanting to know how it all ends. Despite this, in the last part of the film the narrative suddenly and completely switches to Benicio Del Toro's character. This throws you off completely and really disappointed me. You've spent the entire film with a relatively dull Emily Blunt and then just when you think it might actually all be worth it? You are given a different characters finale... That's like going through the entire 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy and just when you think you're going to see Frodo get to Mordor... it cuts away.

One major thing I have to point out is that the film is actually shot by the masterful Roger Deakins which is an automatic plus point for any film. The cinematography that is used in 'Sicario' is engrossing and extremely creative. You are pulled into the scenes through the slightly off kilter and unusual cinematography that suits the film to the ground. I wouldn't expect anything less from Roger Deakins. 

Overall, there's a lot that I liked about 'Sicario' but there was also a lot that I didn't like. It features some beautiful cinematography and the makings of some decent tension but, ultimately, slightly let me down in the end. 

On a side note, how about Benicio Del Toro? 'Sin City', 'Che', 'Snatch', 'The Usual Suspects' etc etc...

The guy's a badass.