For months now, I've had my eyes on "Eagle Eye". So Sunday I made the hard decision of taking some ME time. With a smile in my head and a skip in my step I was headed to one of my favorite place, the movie theater. A year or so ago, I discovered Shia Labeouf. In viewing his short resume, I've found myself appreciating his essence, his effortless deliveries and the ease in which he is growing within his craft which consistancy seems to continuously whisper to me that if everything goes according to plan, he should be on the A list momentarily. He's a natural!
I first discovered Shia in D.J. Caruso's directorial debut "Disturbia" in 2007. As a fan of Hitchcock's "Rear View Window", I couldn't escape the similarities. But, I'm no purist. I certainly have nothing against remakes. Give me a great story and if you can find a way to express it in 5 different ways and keep me focussed, I'm in. So needless to say, I thought "Disturbia" was fantastic. The ensemble cast was excellent, the suspense was thrilling and unpredictable to an extend and most importantly Shia shined. Shia = 1, early DVD release = 0!
To quiet my curiousity, I had to investigate this young dude. Of course well into my adulthood, I hadn't been exposed to his Disney breakthrough in the "Even Stevens" series or heard of the positive reviews of his first movie "Holes" with John Voight and Sigourney Weaver. Then, in awe, I watched "Transformer". Michael Bay's action packed big screen rendition of the popular 1980's animated TV cartoon. All I could say was wow. The amazing special effects doubled with yet again an incredibly talented ensemble cast blasted this movie into franchise mode. Yes, the sequel is underway as we speak.
Most recently, as many anticipated the fourth installment of Indiana Jones to hit the screen, Shia's momentum was still rolling as he carved himself a respectable place in history with his role of Indiana Jr. in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".
Slowly, I put some pieces together, background, unique childhood, divorced parents, upbringing in Echo Park, charming interviews and an obvious love for the craft.
At this point on Sunday, sitting in my chair, warmed up by 20 minutes of previews on what's coming in the next few months (i.e. mental list: Quantum of Solace (new 007), The Soloist (Robert Downey/Jamie Foxx), it begins. I love beginnings! I had seen the trailer for "Eagle Eye" many times, and somewhat knew what the plot might be about but not in real details. One of my pet-peeves about movies or books has always been the ability to figure out the outcome ahead of time. So, after 30 years of movie-viewing experience, when I sit in that chair, I expect to be entertained; if not by incredible storytelling then by cleverness, groundbraking styles or effects or the discovery of a fantastic actor.
Mission accomplished: Shia = 2, Inflated movie = 0.
I can say now that the first 15 minutes of the movie were worth the $6.oo ticket cost. To see young Shia play emotions during the funeral scene just validated my belief that inside his veins run the blood of an accomplished actor capable of great things to come. (Remember River Phoenix!)
I think it was about right after these 15 minutes (once my eyes had dried up a bit) that I was abducted into the movie and stopped breathing! At that point, I felt like I had embarked on a roller-coaster where my visual senses along with my sense of hearing had been taken hostage.
The intensity of the action was non-stop. Intertwined within the streets of the city and then into the arteries of Washington, D.C., the chases never end. I felt exhausted just watching. I totally enjoyed the connection between Shia and Michelle Monaghan and marvelled at the stamina delivered with their combined 4 legs. Their characters meshed immediately eventhough there was no time to develop their chemistry. Another pleasant surprise, was the truely entertaining Billy Bob Thornton as Agent Morgan, a no-nonsense government official in charge of the whole investigation behind the whole scheme. His barbes were delivered in such funny ways that each chuckling helped me catch my breath during these breaks from the intensity. Another guilty pleasure is to see Ethan Embry as Agent Grant.
Unfortunately, as the movie progressed the plot became more and more implausible which annoyed me a bit. As events piled up one on top of another and with the Supreme Voice having access to unlimited technologies used by the masses, it somewhat became a bit too much. Feelings of "deja vu" from other movies also started invading my consciousness. But, in all fairness, I didn't have much time to analyze this short setback as the unpredictability of the plot brought me right back into the story. I was totally invested emotionally into the fate of all the characters.
Another one of my favorite movie experience, aside from popcorn, is a good twist. Fortunately, as this delectable 2 hours I had just spent hyperventilating neared the end, there it was, 5 minutes before the roll of credits.
All in all, I would rate "Eagle Eye" a strong 7 out of 10. Like most movies out there, this isn't an artsy movie. It's a heart pumping, palm sweating good thriller and should be judged as such. I came out of the movie theater satisfied, smiling and again, with a taste for the future; the future projects of this young dude Shia Labeouf.
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