GREEN ZONE (REVIEW)
Hot
off the honour of being nominated for an Academy Award for his role as a South
African rugby union player in 'Invictus', Matt Damon about faces into action mode.
On first inspection, you may think this is just another variation of the successful
'Bourne' films - wrong! 'Green Zone' had me riveted on my seat for over two hours
gasping for air.
A military thriller set in Baghdad during
the early days of the Iraqi conflict, the adversity shown in the story-line is
something else entirely. Roy Miller (Damon) leads a crack unit of soldiers around
the various cities on orders from the American Government. They are desperately
searching for the now infamous weapons of mass destruction, or WMD's, to simply
legitimize the actual invasion.
The film trails right behind Miller, literally,
and his heroic team as they conduct what turns out to be a wild goose chase around
a simmering powder keg of political tension and local hostility.
Things
don't seem right for Miller - there has to be a reason why every location they
hit comes up empty. As professional as he may be, Miller is also naive. Things
change however with the arrival of an Iraqi local who interprets some information
that sends Miller and his boys off into a different direction. What follows is
a cavalcade of political intrusion and conspiracies.
British
Director Paul Greengrass knows how to convey the chaos by presenting it as if
the viewer is part of the action, not just innocent bystanders inside a cinema.
The shaky camera shots, which are often out of focus for short periods, may make
some people watching slightly uncomfortable. May I suggest to purchase the smaller
bucket of popcorn for this one. This medium does enhance the moments of pure adrenalin.
However, you're right there in the murky flame lit streets alongside Miller.
Matt
Damon is a born action man - pardon the pun. His presence is a big reason why
'Green Zone' works. The best scenes are all too abrupt when Jason Isaacs as Briggs,
a feared Navy Seal type soldier, who takes Miller head on in a confrontation which
becomes ongoing throughout the movie.
Meanwhile, a two faced
Greg Kinnear ('As good as it Gets') looks smarmy while playing a manipulative
pencil pusher who unravels dramatically in the final act. Brendan Gleeson is gruff
as a CIA operative who breathes fire and ice when he wants things done, while
Amy Ryan ('Mystic River') is confident as an onsite journalist seeking the truth.
Green
Zone, is different - it has layers of intrigue that brings the suspense to a premium
from almost the first minute. Although the location is similar to the recent and
most worthy Best Picture Oscar winner, 'The Hurt Locker', both brilliant, but
completely individual films.
Shane A. Bassett
