Eye in the Sky (2016)

Sky Fall

Director: Gavin Hood
Running Time: 102 Minutes
Starring: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, Barkhad Abdi, Iain Glen


Col. Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) is a military officer, in command of a drone mission to capture terrorists in Kenya. Through remote surveillance and on the ground intel, it's discovered the targets are planning a suicide bombing. As the mission escalates from "capture" to "kill", a nine year old girl enters the kill zone, which triggers an international dispute over the best course of action.

If you thought one of 2016's horror releases was tense, then you haven't seen anything yet. The impeccable direction on-hand ratchets up the tension throughout the picture, as one bears witness to a game of hot potato being played with the possibility of civilian casualties. Therein lies the films biggest strength, its refusal to select a side in the drone warfare debate. This leaves Guy Hibbert's screenplay to deliver compelling discussions, as both sides are debated to the best of their ability. Each member of the assembled cast do an exemplary job.

If your knowledge of Gavin Hood is limited to his troublesome entry into the X-Men franchise, don't let that put you off. What he's delivered here is a taut thriller which brings thoughtful discussion of a relevant topic, while leaving one tense at the uncertain proceedings. In short, Eye in the Sky is a triumph that sets pulses racing and minds thinking.