A fast-paced drama and thriller film, Eagle Eye has surprised many critics in becoming one of the top movies of the year. Despite a two 2 of 5 stars rating from highly regarded critic Roger Ebert, Eagle Eye grossed $29 million during its opening weekend and surprisingly beat out Nights in Rodanthe as the number one film in the country. Although incredibly unrealistic, it seems as though viewers are more concerned with the movie’s fast paced, edge of your seat action sequences, rather than the fact that it could never happen in real life. Using a solid cast, and many CGI, or computer generated images, Eagle Eye might just be the surprise hit of the year.
Directed by D.J. Caruso, the main idea for the film is that our government’s homeland security privacy infringement has become so out of control, that every happening, phone call, conversation, and movement in an ordinary person’s life can be traced through GPS systems, cell phones, cameras, and even ATM’s.
The film starts off with Jerry Shaw (Shia LeBouf), a normal, everyday clerk at a store similar to a Kinko’s or Staples. Early on in the film, Jerry’s identical twin brother, who happens to work for the Air Force, is surprisingly killed in a mysterious accident. After this, Jerry’s normal, everyday life is never the same.
Strangely, terrorist supplies are delivered to Jerry’s house and he receives an interesting phone call from an icy female voice telling him the FBI will be at his door in a matter of seconds. The voice is the Pentagon’s top secret surveillance weapon “ARIA” and the orders she gives are simple: either obey her orders, or die.
Soon after, the FBI, complete with Billy Bob Thornton, shows up at Jerry’s house and arrests him.
In a separate situation, Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan) receives a similar phone call from the same voice after her son, who is visiting Washington D.C. becomes a pawn in a sinister assassination plot. It is after this that Jerry and Rachel’s characters are brought together, forced to reply to whatever orders they receive for fear of death. The duo must find out who this mysterious voice is, what she plans to do with them, and more importantly, why.
Needless to say, Eagle Eye is the perfect film for thrill seekers of all ages. However, the fast paced nature of the film might be a little much for a calmer movie-goer. The action is intense, and at times, a little hard to keep up with.
In the end, although it lacks a realistic plot, Eagle Eye is an excellent film for anyone who enjoys a thrill and is not afraid to think outside the box.
By Kevin Maras, sports editor
