Movie Review: Sicario

 A review of the movie 'Sicario' Photo: Courtesy

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Bernardo Saracino, Julio Cesar Cedillo

Genre: Thriller

Duration: 121mins

Rating: 8/10

Sicario, which is the Spanish word for ‘hit man’, follows idealistic FBI agent Kate Macer who, after rising through the ranks of her male-dominated profession, receives a top assignment. Recruited by mysterious government official Matt Graver, Kate joins a task force for the war against drugs.

 Led by the intense and shadowy Alejandro, the team travels back-and-forth across the U.S.A - Mexico border, using one cartel boss to flush out a bigger one that was responsible for a bomb that had killed members of her team.

Thumbs Up

The cinematography which features a great deal of playing around with blacks and shadows is commendable. Through it, an atmosphere of unease and anticipation - which makes for a great thriller - is created.

Not forgetting the sound design and music that enhances that atmosphere, builds the tension and pulls one in, making one part of the whole experience. The cast is well balanced and offer an engaging performance without overshadowing each other.

 Their characters are well developed and explored in depth that even with the little dialogue, their facial expressions and body language fused with the scenery say a thousand words.

Thumbs Down

Depending on how you look at it, the music may feel a bit too dark and gloomy. The plot is a let down in that, in the end there is no concrete resolution reached.

here are also neither interesting turns nor enough moral questioning. There is also acharacter, Kate’s partner, whose role the viewer does not understand how it is played or developed.

Verdict

You may move a lot with uneasiness on the edge of your seat, but your eyes will be stuck on the screen right through the closing credits.