First off, this is a Ridley Scott movie. Expect him to telegraph plot twists, provide a few action-y sequences and generally live up to Hollywood's bland reputation.
That said, this is a pretty nice spy caper. Despite being able to see what was coming, watching it unfold was entertaining, helped along by Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Strong turning in strong performances. DiCaprio seems to be recapturing a bit of the sense of acting he had when he was young and acclaimed. Strong is just superb.
Scott attempts to be even-handed in his approach to the Islamic situation, but really it only comes off that way because he runs roughshod over every ambiguous or difficult moral issue with DiCaprio's hard-boiled, know-it-all attitude. It's not so much moderate politics as it is seen-it-all ennui. Still, it's nice to see a film that doesn't take a blatantly for or against approach to what is a much more complex world.
All of that hangs in the background, though. Mostly, it's just a spy flick. Pay attention to who knows what when, and you'll easily see where it's headed. Then enjoy the pretty decent ride.
That said, this is a pretty nice spy caper. Despite being able to see what was coming, watching it unfold was entertaining, helped along by Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Strong turning in strong performances. DiCaprio seems to be recapturing a bit of the sense of acting he had when he was young and acclaimed. Strong is just superb.
Scott attempts to be even-handed in his approach to the Islamic situation, but really it only comes off that way because he runs roughshod over every ambiguous or difficult moral issue with DiCaprio's hard-boiled, know-it-all attitude. It's not so much moderate politics as it is seen-it-all ennui. Still, it's nice to see a film that doesn't take a blatantly for or against approach to what is a much more complex world.
All of that hangs in the background, though. Mostly, it's just a spy flick. Pay attention to who knows what when, and you'll easily see where it's headed. Then enjoy the pretty decent ride.