Director Gavin Hood explored the moral dilemma facing governments every day in the long-range war on terrorism in Eye in the Sky (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Rated R, $34.98, 103 minutes), his latest critically acclaimed thriller now on Blu-ray.
This movie follows a British military officer Col. Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) overseeing a covert international operation using drone technology to eliminate a nest of terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya.
Her eventual decision to order a drone strike gets clouded when a little girl selling bread is in the target zone, which leads to a bureaucratic, pass-the-buck nightmare among British and U.S. officials.
Viewers will not only marvel at the slick technology featured in the film, including a snooping hummingbird and flying beetle bot, but some great acting.
Specifically, Miss Mirren is as feisty as ever as the nearly unrepentant military intelligence officer while the late Alan Rickman, in his last onscreen performance, equally shines as a lieutenant general negotiating with officials for the attack order.
Unfortunately, the surprisingly bland digital transfer does little to add to the gripping story narrative. Earth tones and mooted colors reign throughout the Kenyan locations as well as the dark confines of the drone surveillance bases, often loaded with glowing computer screens and soldiers wearing fatigues.
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Additionally, a disappointing pair of short promotional featurettes are the only extras afforded on the “Eye in the Sky” Blu-ray. Viewers get zero insight into the incredible surveillance marvels, no optional commentary track with the director and no extended look at drone warfare.
It relegates this fantastic character drama to a disc rental or simply worthy of an on-demand viewing.
• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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