Sicario, the latest film from director Denis Villeneuve is an intense, gripping drama about how this country does battle with the Mexican cartels. It's a well written film with impressive performances by everyone involved. I enjoyed every scene of this dark, brooding, and violent film and because of that I give Sicario four and a half buckets of Killer Korn. While Denis Villeneuve may not be a name most film goers know just yet, it doesn't mean the man will stay unknown. In fact he may soon become a household name since he's been tapped to direct the Blade Runner prequel/sequel. That notwithstanding, Sicario is going to start moving him into rarified air. I've seen all of Denis' American films, and this man knows how to set a tone, and it's usually dark in nature. His previous films Prisoners and Enemy had some truly disturbing moments, and Sicario is no different. With this kind of film the violence could have been over the top, Denis scaled it back instead of ratcheting it up, but don't think for a New York minute that the violence doesn't make a significant appearance. It does, but it's subtle violence if violence can ever be subtle, and it shows how Denis has a firm grasp on this whole directing thing. He's great with uncomfortable silence and the manipulation of darkness. There are times the colors in Sicario are washed out and the shadows are prominent. All done to set that eerie mood Denis is apparently a big fan of.
Emily Blunt plays Kate Macer, a police officer in Phoenix that specializes in hostage recovery. Her and her team come upon a house where they think hostages are being held, but when they get there the house is virtually empty. That is until they search behind the walls. What they find there gets the ball rolling. The talented Daniel Kaluuya plays Kate's very protective partner Reggie, Josh Brolin plays the sneaky government agent Matt Graver, and Benicio Del Toro plays the mysterious Alejandro. Kate is recruited to work with Matt's team because she wants to get to the people who were responsible for what was found in the house. Written by Taylor Sheridan, the story is not complicated, but it's a fun and intriguing puzzle to piece together. While there's not much mirth from anyone in the film, all of the performances are solid. I don't think any of the actors are winning an award come Oscar time, but no one mailed their effort in. In my opinion, however, this is the best I've seen from Benicio Del Toro in a really long time.
Technically Sicario is a powerhouse of a film, and in my opinion it's Denis Villeneuve's best film of his young career. Without giving anything away the last third of this film is when he shows how good of a filmmaker he truly is. Using certain filming techniques at his disposal he takes the viewer and puts us right smack in the middle of the action, so much so that you may forget to breathe. It's that intense. Remember when I said no actor on this film will probably get recognized come award time? The same can't be said about cinematographer, Roger Deakins. This is the second time Roger and Denis have worked together, (Prisoners was their previous collaboration.) so they share the same eye. Roger has been nominated twelve times for an Oscar. This time he might finally hear his name called. Same goes for composer, Johann Johannsson. The score he built and married to this movie was without a doubt the most tension-filled, overwhelming thing I've heard from a movie all year. Melodies are few and far between. What's not, however, are the sounds and the power behind those sounds. The music is one of the most impactful characters in Sicario, and when you see the movie you'll understand what I mean. See this movie. Wait, I don't think you heard me...SEE THIS FUCKING MOVIE!!! Sicario will impress you like it did me. I swear it, and I'll see you at the theater.
