The 2016 British war drama thriller Eye in the Sky, currently available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, is being hailed as a 'genuinely breathtaking masterpiece' by fans. The film continues to captivate viewers long after its initial release, with many saying it's 'one of those movies that you want to keep talking about long after it's over'.
Stellar Cast and Moral Dilemmas
Headlined by Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman, alongside Aaron Paul, Barkhad Abdi, Jeremy Northam, Michael O'Keefe, Phoebe Fox and Iain Glen in supporting roles, the film boasts an extraordinarily talented ensemble. Released on April 15, 2016, in the UK, the film is widely regarded as the final live-action role for Alan Rickman, who passed away on January 14 that same year, and was dedicated to his memory.
Helmed by director Gavin Hood from a screenplay penned by Guy Hibbert, Eye in the Sky delves into the profound ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding drone warfare through a series of gripping, tension-laden sequences. The war drama's 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
Eye in the Sky was shot in South Africa, the home nation of director Hood. The war film brought in $32.8 million at the global box office against a production budget of $13 million, earning widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics. Boasting a near-perfect 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the British modern warfare drama has critics praising it from all corners, with one describing it as: 'A provocatively tense thriller that negotiates the moral minefields of its thorny subject matter in crowd-pleasing fashion.'
One reviewer 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.' While another critic commented: '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.'
Fan Reactions
Audiences are equally bowled over, with one IMDB user posting: '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 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.'
While one 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.' Another IMDB review reads: '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.' While 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.
