Press play then switch off the brain... (Eagle Eye (DVD))

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Eagle Eye (DVD)
Date:	17/05/09 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Non-stop action

Disadvantages: Highly unbelievable

Love him or hate him, Shia LaBeouf is no doubt a popular choice amongst Hollywood producers nowadays. His latest starring role comes in the D.J. Caruso directed action thriller 'Eagle Eye', which takes the form of a 'techno-paranoia' thriller, very much in the mold of 'Die hard 4.0' and 'Cellular'.

Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) is an ordinary guy working for a Chigago copy centre. Upon returning to his apartment one evening, he finds a cache of heavy weapons, bomb-making equipment and fake passports printed in his name. After receiving a phone call instructing him to leave the house as the FBI will be there in minutes, Shaw must act quickly - but who is the mystery caller, and what will happen if he doesn't follow their instructions?

The film is very reminiscent of the early scene in 'The Matrix', where 'Neo' is guided through his office by phone-call and told exactly when to move. You can tell that Eagle Eye borrows very heavily from this premise, as the entire film works on this principle. The result is an entertaining, yet for the most part ridiculous, roller coaster ride which requires you to switch off your brain during the experience. It's a film which is easy to pick holes in the convoluted plot, so it's probable that the purists and sticklers for accuracy amongst you won't be that impressed.

Shia LaBeouf is actually pretty good in the movie, and I didn't find him quite as annoying as I usually do in many of his roles. His portrayal of a guy who suddenly finds himself as a wanted man seems pretty authentic and is easy to watch. Michelle Monaghan plays Rachel Holloman, a young mum who is also in a similar position to Shaw, as she too is following the instructions of the voice on the end of her cellphone. Monaghan puts in a believable performance, and the two lead roles share a decent on-screen chemistry.

Other performances of note include Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Agent Thomas Morgan who believes for the most part that the framed LaBeouf IS actually a terrorist, and therefore embarks on a 'Fugitive' style man-hunt.

The film's ending (involving a bomb and an orchestra) is identical to that of the spy comedy 'Get Smart' - so if you've seen that film, you'll know what to expect in this one. In fact, I can't believe that two separate films could feature such a similar set-piece without law suits being passed around.

Although ridiculous, Eagle Eye makes for entertaining viewing, and if it's non-stop action that you want, you won't be disappointed with this one. Borrowing heavily, and I mean heavily, from other movies, Eagle Eye lacks in originality, but certainly makes up for it with its dumb, frenetic entertainment value - recommended

Lead Roles
- - - - - - -
Shia LaBeouf - Jerry Shaw
Michelle Monaghan - Rachel Holloman
Rosario Dawson - Zoe Perez
Michael Chiklis - Defense Secretary Callister
Anthony Mackie - Major William Bowman
Ethan Embry - Agent Toby Grant
Billy Bob Thornton - Agent Thomas Morgan

Rating: 12A

You can purchase Eagle Eye for £11.98 from amazon.co.uk

Summary: Entertaining but ridiculous film