Drone warfare is an extremely controversial topic. A film about it could come off as preachy or even feel like propaganda. Fortunately, Eye in the Sky is directed by Gavin Hood, the man behind the underrated Ender’s Game, who knows how to present conflicting moral ideas about the nature of warfare. The result is a tense thriller that will test your own moral resolve in the face of decisions with tragic consequences.

Eye in the Sky follows a mission commanded by Colonel Powell (Helen Mirren) in Kenya to capture a group of terrorists sworn to Al-Shabaab. It is overseen by a Reaper drone piloted by Steve Watts (Aaron Paul). When the mission becomes critical, the question of whether to use the drone’s Hellfire Missiles is raised, and all who are involved must face the potential consequences of their use.

I usually like to start with something positive but let me get one of my gripes out of the way first. This isn’t a character driven story. You might remember the excellent performances from Mirren and Aaron Paul – those worried about his film career after disasters Need for Speed and Triple 9 will be reassured here – but you won’t remember their roles.

However, the real driver of this film is the situation, and it almost feels like a character of its own. It’s rare to see a film with a central moral quandary so interesting and delicate that it propels the whole story. Like a good villain you understand it but cannot think of how to deal with it. Throughout, you’ll ask yourself: What would I do? Is it right? What about in these circumstances? Moreover, the situation evolves like an antagonist, knowing just how and when to threaten our heroes. It’s fantastic, and this gripping dilemma will drag you to the edge of your seat and hold you there.

Hood’s direction adds heaps of tension, too, inspiring a strong sense of dread when we wander under the watchful eye of a machine piloted by those thousands of miles away. The opening few scenes are a little messy, introducing characters all over the place and struggling to find its focus. On reflection though, this was interesting thematically; there is danger to having sporadically situated operatives all vying for control of a situation on the other side of the globe.

The writing is great for the most part, too. There are captivating moments fuelled by discussion over how best to resolve a near-irresolvable predicament. Military officials and lawyers all discuss what they are legally able to do, and what politically is their right move. Never do they wonder what they morally ought to do, and I loved that. We, the audience, must wrestle their thoughts and make up our minds. Some moments could have been subtler though, and when it comes to the film trying desperately to present both arguments, sometimes it feels like the characters are spelling out their views directly to us.

My only other criticism is the closing few moments. I recently heard a phrase I like: “Don’t write past the ending.” While I loved the ending to Eye in the Sky, the film has trouble wrapping up, and I thought a few scenes were unnecessary and harmed the payoff that the rapid pacing of the film had built towards. A minor point, though.

As I said earlier, this film isn’t preachy, and I love that about it. Never did I feel that this film had an agenda. It portrays tough situations and harsh consequences, but never gets close to saying what should and should not be so. That is for us to decide, and if it can get our hearts pounding with some tense drama, all the better.

Don’t see this one to settle your views on drones. Go to have them challenged.

8-8

(GRADES: Both are from 0 to 10. The left is an objective score based on artistic merit, the right is my personal enjoyment.)

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