Review: Sicario (2015)

Directed by Denis Villenueve

Starring: Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin

The story follows a FBI agent who is tasked to bring down the leader of a powerful and brutal Mexican drug cartel.

Watching this, was probably the best decision I ever had on this sunny afternoon. Denis Villeneuve has done it again with his conflict thriller Sicario.

The film was incredible from beginning to end. The tense action scenes and suspense showcase the art of fear within the characters in the war-torn Mexican city of Juarez. It was quite thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat, as they search cars in a busy lane in case of an attack, and the constant reminder of threats all around you, in an area you don’t know and where violence is a norm to an area infested and controlled by the cartels.

The direction and screenplay was excellent, and so was the music done incredibly by Johann Johannsson, who’s done other scores alongside Villeneuve such as Arrival and Prisoners. The acting was positive from everyone including the brilliant Josh Brolin who had a really good role in No Country for Old Men. Roger Deakins yet again with his impressive cinematography for this film, with the beautiful dark Mexican landscape.

The movie’s constant reminder to establish that there are no “good guys” and that there are only people with an objective, such as del Toro’s character who is seeking vendetta against those who have wronged and murdered his family. The ending scene was one of the best endings I’ve seen in cinema, so SPOILER ALERT for the next paragraph.

The ending had a couple of kids a game of football, and while playing a couple of gunshots and explosions could be heard pretty close to them, and while they stop playing and listen in, they were not worried at all, and continued to play the game, while the gunshots were still being fired. This ending is a work of art, displaying that something so tragic and horrible happens too often that they are used to it, and despite whatever happens, like your loved one dying, life does go on Mexico, this fantastic ending summarizes the war on drugs and how they have failed.

I 100% recommend to those who have not watched this film yet, as it is one of Villeneuve’s bests, and does deserve a viewing. With a sequel announced and a trailer showcased, it is still unknown whether it can stoop up to the level of this impressive film. My rating: 9/10

#FilmReview #2018 #CTRecommended