Film Review: Sicario
Content Editor, Film Critic and Writer for ComiConverse.com, the Founder and co-host of the official Nerdcast Network Podcast
Sicario is out this Friday in US theaters (small scale UK release) and our Jordan Samuel has all the details on this gripping take on cartel violence and the drug trade.
Now, before we start, its important to note that, in Spanish, "sicario" means "hitman". Sicario is the most authentic attempt at bringing the cartel to the big screens that we have seen in some time, with gripping performances from Emily Blunt and Thanos himself Josh Brolin – directed by Denis Villeneuve and writer Taylor Sheridan.
I have watched many films so far this year and nothing has come close to Sicario; with its dark themes and brilliant direction, written to almost perfectly. Something about the plot stands out, with an amazing plot that makes you feel on edge throughout the entire two-hour runtime.
But is Sicario Oscar worthy?
Critics are calling this the best crime movie since Steven Soderbergh's Traffic, but is it really on that level?
Let’s go straight into the film.
In the lawless border area, stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite government task force official (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against the drug trade. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past (Benicio Del Toro), the team sets out on a clandestine journey, forcing Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive.
The plot cannot be summarized in one review – because it would spoil the ride – but I can say for certain that this story will be talked about for some time.
The movie’s opening action sequence is a marvel. Emily Blunt plays an FBI agent named Kate Macer who heads up a kidnap-response squad. We find her leading a raid on a house in Chandler, Arizona.
Her team are looking for hostages, but after one tense shootout, she discovers only dead bodies – rows of them wrapped in plastic bags and stacked upright behind the hideout’s walls like centuries-old mummies.
But who are these poor souls and what’s behind these gruesome deaths?
The question gets answered when Kate is brought to an agency debriefing – led by Josh Brolin – with all the feds sitting around the table being higher up on the government food chain than her.
Questions are then asked of Kate, but this is really a job interview.
Is she interested in working with Brolin’s operation to find the Mexican cartel kingpin responsible for the killings?
Her answer of course was “When do I start?” Brolin’s response is, more or less, “You already have.”
Sicario embodies the dark and lonely feel which the director went for, at times feeling like pure horror/ That eerie feel makes it an unmissable cinema event this year. Its an outstanding take on drug culture.
Villeneuve’s previous movie Prisoners had a similar tone, but failed at delivering groundbreaking action sequences. With Sicario, Villeneuve combines all the necessary elements extremely well.
Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin are also amazing in the roles, which see them stealing each scene their involved in. Do not be surprised if they both get supporting awards consideration when Oscar season comes around.
Due to the short run-time, certain elements do feel rushed in Sicario, but on the whole there are no faults with this one.
Its a must see 2015 movie.
Have you seen Sicario yet? Let me know your opinions below.
Jordan Samuel is the Lead Film Critic for ComiConverse. Follow him on Twitter: @LoadingBa
Oscar Worthy
Sicario is a potential Oscar winning movie, with outstanding direction and powerful performances that prove Hollywood's still got it.