Denis Villeneuve has become one of my director's to watch. After Incendies, Prisoners and Enemy, I was hotly anticipating his next feature. Sicario delivers!
From the get go, we're drawn into this fucked up world of the drug cartels. We're introduced to Emily Blunt's FBI agent in a very dark and harrowing way. It pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the film. Sicario is no walk through wonderland, but rather a journey into the bleak world of the war on drugs.
This is not a guns blazing action film - it is so much more than that. Villeneuve likes to have lingering shots, and keeps the pace at a slow but tense level. Sure there are action scenes, but you're on the edge of your seat as they build and play out. You are well and truly on board with the main players as they navigate hostile territory.
Aside from Blunt
(one of the best actresses working today), we have excellent co-stars
with Brolin and Del Toro. Brolin is great as the cool and confident
shadowy govt figure. Del Toro is even better.
There is some stunning cinematography on display here as Villeneuve again partners with his Prisoners lenser Roger Deakins. The score is highly engaging - I want this soundtrack right now.
This film delves deep into that world of moral ambiguity. What is right, what is wrong. Who are the bad guys. What are we fighting for. It is precision film making, and just leaves me wanting more.
Rating:
4 out of 5.
