SICARIO | Movie Review

Read Movie Review

"SICARIO | Movie Review"

Stylish, smart, and scary!

Without doubt there’s something unusually frightening about director Denis Villeneuve’s exposure among characters during unnerving scenarios. ENEMY (’14) and PRISONERS (’13) do a fantastic job at it as he expands our minds into the darkest of adrenaline-ridden situations. Trapping us within our psyche seems to be his forte as we run along a gauntlet of complexities in both films. Grimy and malicious, human nature’s shades of grey seems to be what turns him on.

In his latest, SICARIO, in the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent, Kate [Emily Blunt], is enlisted by an elite government task force official [Josh Brolin] to aid in the escalating and complex war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past [Benicio Del Toro], the team sets out on a wild journey forcing Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive.

At it again, Villeneuve is testing human nature under the sketchiest of circumstances. Without missing a fucking beat he makes our psyche go through yet another boot-camp of emotional exhaustion. Working with a trio of magnificent actors he cast to execute this film, on every angle one can imagine Brolin, Del Toro, and Blunt play it off so well and make this thriller that much better. (Of course this isn’t discounting Jon Bernthal – another rugged talent cast in this film.)

Brutal beyond comprehension as it runs along serious tones, there’s a sense of “relief” by sprinkling a bit of a comedic performance by Brolin. Chaotically charming, Vileneuve has created a film that’s not really concerned with plot as much as it is with examining characters tangled in a web of extreme danger and uncertainty. 

It’s far too soon to consider SICARIO a masterpiece a-la-Villeneuve. However, what it will do is continue to elevate his style of story-telling. Considering its uneven footing during mid-run, the film itself makes up for it with its conclusion and gripping tension throughout the rest of the piece that’s unshakable and quite frankly resonates within once the film is over.

__________

Grade: A / Genre: Drama, Action, Adventure / Rated: R / Run Time: 2:00

Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Sicario Final OneSheet

lionsgate logo 2