The 2015 British war drama thriller 'Eye in the Sky', currently streaming for free on BBC iPlayer, has been hailed by audiences as a 'genuinely breathtaking masterpiece' and 'one of the greatest war movies of the 21st Century'. The film, starring Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman, has captivated viewers even years after its release.
A Stellar Cast and Tense Plot
The film features Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman in lead roles, supported by Aaron Paul, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, Michael O'Keefe, Phoebe Fox, and Iain Glen. Directed by Gavin Hood with a screenplay by Guy Hibbert, 'Eye in the Sky' explores the ethical and moral challenges of drone warfare in taut, tension-filled scenarios.
The official plot states: “Col. Katherine Powell, a military officer in command of an operation to capture terrorists in Kenya, sees her mission escalate when a girl enters the kill zone, triggering an international dispute over the implications of modern warfare.”
Critical and Audience Acclaim
Released in the UK on April 15, 2016, the film is touted as the last live-action film to feature Alan Rickman, who passed away on January 14 that same year, and was dedicated to his memory. Filmed in South Africa, director Hood's home country, the war film grossed $32.8 million at the worldwide box office against a production budget of $13 million.
With a near-perfect 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have praised the film. One critic called it: “A provocatively tense thriller that negotiates the moral minefields of its thorny subject matter in crowd-pleasing fashion.” Another said: “Director Gavin Hood has achieved something few could - he made what is essentially 100 minutes of people standing in rooms and staring at screens incredibly compelling. It's a master class in suspense.” A third reviewer wrote: “Eye in the Sky maintains nerve-racking suspense throughout its running time and explicates some of the unknown nuances of drone warfare. Plus, you know, Alan Rickman is reason enough to see it.”
Viewer Reactions
Audiences are equally smitten. One user on IMDb posted: “One of the greatest war movies of the 21st Century. This movie is extremely well made, and it truly shows how traumatizing it is to pull the trigger. It's a movie that has you wondering what was truly the right thing to do, and it was so intense that it's advised to get up and take a minute to breathe. The writing is also well done, with some lines sticking with you for months. Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren give incredible performances in this standout movie.”
An audience review on Rotten Tomatoes said: “This was such an engaging and intense film that kept you on the edge. It had a great storyline and cast. It's definitely worth the watch.” Another fan added: “Is there anything better than having Academy Award winner Helen Mirren and the late Alan Rickman in a movie together? They are front and center in a story about drones, war, decisions and heartache. This adult movie succeeds in spades in being a drama, a meditation on the mental and physical perils of war and the introduction of drones into our society. Easily one of the best movies I've seen this year. It should give the compassionate viewer much to think about.”
Another IMDb review read: “A stunning movie in every way, and highly recommended. Surely one of the best I've seen this year. It is superb in every way: the writing, the acting, the directing, the producing, the camera work, etc. I highly recommend the movie to everyone.” One viewer simply said: “This is one of those movies that you want to keep talking about long after it is over.” 'Eye in the Sky' is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
