Sicario is directed by Denis Villeneuve (the director behind Prisoners and Enemy) and boasts an incredible cast of talent including Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. Sicario tells the story of Kate (played by Emily Blunt), an idealistic FBI agent who involves herself within an operation with the intent of tracking and taking down a major player in the Mexican drug cartel. Here she finds her morals questioned as she becomes determined to find out what is really going on.
Before we start I'm just going to say it off the bat, Sicario might be one of my favourite movies of the entire year. Denis Villeneuve has proved to me once and for all that he is one of the brightest talents working today in mainstream cinema as his direction of this film is near flawless. The way he introduces us to these characters, the way he sets up intrigue and mystery, the way certain revelations are revealed are all done expertly by a man who clearly has immense understanding as to how to tell a story and how to structure a movie around it.
I say it's one of my favourite films of the year because of one simple reason; it's the most thrilling thriller I've seen since Whiplash. The first 2 acts of this film exhibit a consistent level of slow to medium-burning tension when every once in a while it explodes into life. The third act of this film culminates in some of the most effective and pulsating thrills I have seen in a very long time. I think serious credit needs to go to Denis Villeneuve for creating an enthralling finale which was unrelenting in it's high levels of suspense and tension. In a thriller like this, I should be biting my nails and clenching my fists. I was doing just those things during Sicario, which I was so pleased about.
It's not often I have a physical reaction to a film. When Sicario ended, I sat there for a good couple of minutes just so I could catch back my breath. I'm not exaggerating but this film honestly had a deep impact on me. Not only is it immensely impactful as a thriller but it might just be the best constrcuted film of the entire year when it comes to telling an interesting story. The screenwriting of Sicario as well as the dialogue are also very strong, which made it for me the best film of the year in terms of its overall construction.
This film may not be as entertaining as something like The Martian or Mad Max: Fury Road, but for someone who loves excellent filmmaking Sicario is nothing short of a wet dream. It doesn't share the same happy and hopeful tone of optimism The Martian had where no matter how desperate the situation, you can always remain positive. Sicario's tone is purposefully hopeless and dire at times; no matter how large the situation you solve in one place, that same problem will continue to manifest somewhere else. I was a huge fan of it's dark, serious and at times disgusting tone. It reminded me a lot of Se7en, one of my all time favourite films.
I feel like I've been saying this a lot in movie reviews recently but this is honestly one of the best looking films of the entire year. The genius that is Roger Deakins was the director of photography on this film and you can really tell. His grand, epic and inventive cinematography makes this movie (which is already structurally fantastic and unbelievably thrilling) better than it already is. I could tell from the opening shot of this film that Deakins was behind the camera which is testament to his incredible talent. And the pounding musical score which swells up at just the right moments is also truly great, acting as just one of the components which made some scenes in this film almost unbearably intense.
And of course the acting is great, as is the writing surrounding the 3 main characters. Emily Blunt puts in one of her best performances and once again proves herself capable of doing her own stunts and being convincing whilst doing them. I loved the way her character was introduced and how she develops as the movie progresses. You route for her because of her determination, but you like her because of the vulnerability she radiates at the same time. Josh Brolin's character also has a really good introduction and as a character works for comedic effect.
But this is Benicio Del Toro's film. His performance is so subtle yet so breath-taking in a role which he disappeared into. His character is also by far the most interesting one to watch and the one you want to keep going back to. He has the best character arc by a long way. I think this is mainly due to the purposeful mystery that surrounds his character. We're not told instantly who he is and who he works for, we have to wait and find out. And when you do find out, it's immediately gratifying and sets up a finale with some of the best suspense filmmaking I've seen in a very long time.
Sicario is not a fun time filled with hope and optimism, it's rather the opposite. But if you're a fan of great movies then Sicario will give you everything you want and more. It's one of the best theatre experiences I've had all year and is one great thriller which is exactly what a thriller should be; thrilling! When I make my favourite films of the year list, Sicario will feature very highly I can promise you that:
Rating - A
Thanks for reading,
Matt
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