A British war thriller currently available to stream free on BBC iPlayer is being described as a 'genuinely breathtaking masterpiece' by viewers. The 2016 film Eye in the Sky, starring Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman, has captivated audiences nearly a decade after its release.
Fans praise the war drama as one of the best
Enthusiasts have declared the film 'superb in every way', with some branding it 'one of the greatest war movies of the 21st Century'. One IMDB user said: '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.'
Another fan described it as 'one of those movies that you want to keep talking about long after it is over'. The film has a near-flawless 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics.
Cast and background of Eye in the Sky
Led by Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman, the cast also includes Aaron Paul, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, Michael O'Keefe, Phoebe Fox and Iain Glen. Released on April 15, 2016, in the UK, the picture is recognised as Alan Rickman's final live-action film, following his death on January 14 that same year. The movie was dedicated to his memory.
Directed by Gavin Hood with a screenplay from Guy Hibbert, Eye in the Sky examines the ethical and moral dilemmas of drone warfare. The film was shot in South Africa, Hood's native country. It earned $32.8 million globally against a production budget of $13 million.
Critical and audience reception
Critics have lavished praise on the thriller, with one describing it as 'a provocatively tense thriller that negotiates the moral minefields of its thorny subject matter in crowd-pleasing fashion'. Another critic 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.'
One reviewer added: '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.'
An audience review on Rotten Tomatoes reads: '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 said: '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.'
Eye in the Sky is available to stream free of charge on BBC iPlayer.
