‘Eagle’ preys on innocent audience
With 2008 being an election year, the Big Brother-themed “Eagle Eye” seems to be released right on time to remind the nation of the dangers of technology. This starts as a social commentary, but ends up being just some more dirt in a dust tornado as car crashes and chase scenes keep this film from being anything beyond mediocre.
Shia LaBeouf, left, and Michelle Monaghan, right, star in this sci-fi, conspiracy thriller where all things technology-related are not only unsafe but in most cases lethal.
Splicing plots from films like “Minority Report,” “The Bourne Identity,” “I, Robot” and “Phone Booth,” this highly predictable sci-fi film stars Shia LaBeouf (“Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull”) as blackmailed slacker Jerry Shaw. After being contacted mysteriously by phone, Shaw is forced to follow orders or he will be tried for treason. Through this mishap he meets Rachel Holloman, played by Michelle Monaghan (“Made of Honor”), who must comply or risk losing her son. The two team up against their will and hilarity ensues. Just kidding.
While the story seems simple enough, constant foreshadowing and a resonating sense of mystery make this film feel like it should be a bit more complicated. Bad organization of scenes and premature delivery make the twist in this film about as satisfying as a handjob from Leonard Nemoy. While the overall feel of the event screams “SCIENCE FICTION,” the end is obvious and the same fulfillment could have been achieved at home on the couch.
Aside from a predictable plot, this film is one big chase scene, sort of like “The Bourne Identity.” The only problem: LaBeouf is not Matt Damon. Not to say Damon is a good actor by any means, but rather LaBeouf has had much better performances. For example, that one time he played an awkward kid in an unusual situation and relied on quirky actions for laughs. Oh wait, that has been his entire career.
Monaghan was better, but also not amazing. Consistently portraying the overbearing mother, she nailed the worried portion of her part, drawing the audience into actually sympathize her position. It was a decent performance, but not the best in show.
Show stealers in this film were the government officials chasing Shaw and Holloman. Always the asshole, Billy Bob Thornton (“Mr. Woodcock”) plays Agent Thomas Morgan with the FBI. With a sailor’s mouth filthy enough to make Andrew Dice Clay blush, Thornton provides the small bit of comic relief that keeps this film alive.
Rosario Dawson (“Death Proof”) also costars as Zoe Perez, an agent for the U.S. Air Force. Always gorgeous, Dawson steals the show as a commanding officer and quick-witted patriot.
“Eagle Eye” is nowhere near the best film of the year, nor is it the worst. Much like LaBeouf’s last major movie, this film settles right into a comfortable medium achieving nothing more than mediocrity.
‘Eagle Eye’
Release Date: September 26
Director: D.J. Caruso
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thorton, and Rosario Dawson
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language.
Grade: C
Julian Rhodes can be reached at julianrhodes@nevadasagebrush.com
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on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 12:18 am and is filed under Arts & Entertainment, Film Reviews, Vibe.
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