#TIFF15: “EYE IN THE SKY”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

In recent years cinema has seen a upswing in drone-based Movies, some of these titles have played commercial success and the festival circuit while others have been left in the dust of their own destruction. This year is no different as a star-studded cast makes its way to the TIFF ’15 in Eye in The Sky, a drone movie riddled with political ineptitude. The Film does present some very interesting dilemmas and issues surrounding drone based missile attacks, but at the same time the morality question has to be asked as well as is a strike justified if its for the greater good.

In the beginning of the Movie, we meet our hero and protagonist Steve Watts (Aaron Paul) a drone pilot whose mission is to fly over Nairobi, Kenya to track and capture three  on the FBI/CIA’s most wanted list in Kenya. However, when thinks take a quick turn from a capture mission to a kill mission Colonel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) is faced with nothing but difficulty from the English government lead by Lieutenant General Frank Benson (Alan Rickman) whose colleagues cannot make up their mind and consistently request it to be sent up for approval. With seconds literally ticking on the clock before mass casualties can occur, the thrill ride is keeping audiences constantly at the edge of their seats.

Aaron Paul who has proven he can be very good at persuasion  in Breaking Bad is at it again with an incredible performance, not to be outdone  by seasoned veterans Helen Mirren or Alan Rickman whom both are absolutely remarkable as well. Rickman who plays the seriously irritated and jaded lieutenant general, also provides some of the much needed light comic relief in the Film.

eOne Films’ Eye in The Sky premieres at TIFF on Friday September 11th at 6:30 pm at Roy Thomson Hall and again at a second screening on Saturday September 12th at 11:15 am at Isabel Bader.