Movie #1147 ........................."Sicario"

Movie #1147 "Sicario" was a very solid action thriller -- but depressing as "hell" -- excuse the language, but it is.  I wish I would have understood more of this film, but I spent many a time oohing and aging at the cinematography (Deakins, nominated for AA this year, his 12th nom (no win), I think) Anyway, it has an explosive opening but introduces the leads so quickly, it was tough to follow.  I always enjoy watching Blunt and Benecio del Toro (not so much Brolin --- he plays a hotshot here, and it isn't much of a reach for him) but these seemed challenging roles for these two.  Blunt is brought in to this cartel project, not knowing why, and when she finds out, she (and the viewers) are so disappointed that it isn't her abilities here.  She has a right hand man, but his character isn't fully developed (nor is his story finished adequately).  Once the film propels to the high point, it seems to just want to hit us in the belly with one scene after another for shock value.  By the end, I just felt so disillusioned, with no hope that this problem would ever find a solution.  And with a bitter taste in my mouth, thinking about the main theme:  that we could be worse than our enemies.  And that's a bitter pill to swallow, for sure.  I would rate this 3 out of 5 stars --- pretty exciting, great photography,  but like I said, it could have been easier to follow.  Acting was strong, too, but surprisingly, the AA nominations (reason I saw this) were for sound mixing, editing, photography and music.  I don't think it will win anything, but it was one of the better films of 2015 I thought.  Full of lots of action and introduces us to the cartel problem at the Mexican/US border  --- very topical subject these days.

Sicario

2015 R Rated R121 mins  -- I would give it 3 stars out of 5.

rated 3.3 stars

Recruited to assist in an undercover operation targeting a Mexican drug lord, federal agent Kate Macy finds her moral standards put to the test when she's plunged into the middle of a plan that goes beyond the boundaries of the law.

Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Victor Garber, Josh Brolin