Military intelligence is an oxymoron...or just a moron..., 16 March 2010
In the past few years there have been a handful of directors which have brought something to the genre of political/action/thriller movies that I had thought lost for good, namely class, quality and substance, actually ingredients I (and I guess others), would like to see in films of any category. From David Mammet with "Spartan", Peter Berg with "The Kingdom" and David Geghen with "Syrianna", these directors and these movies, though perhaps unfairly flying under most people's radars, have revived that genre or sub-genre of movies. Paul Greengrass is another one of these directors and "Green Zone" is another one of these movies.
In their heyday movies in this category became classics in their own right, or at least made for a helluva viewing experience. "Three Days Of The Condor", "Marathon Man", "The Conversation" are just some examples.
After providing a very effective antidote to James Bond and Jack Ryan, with the sober and somber Jason Bourne, Paul Greengrass has returned with a more realistic and vivid thriller, "Green Zone". This movie is a solid, well done and well paced piece of work. The cast, the direction, camera work, score, the visuals, are on point, I didn't feel let down at all. Everything about the movie is somehow muted and restrained, which I like. There are no grandiose battle scenes or large scope, non-stop action with no sense or context. Paul Greengrass knows how to combine and synchronize all these basic elements whose end result is really a good movie.
Perhaps for some people the film is too modest, or to limited, but it worked for me, in so far as what I expected from it. The movie maintained the right balance of intensity and tension and kept me entertained from beginning to end. No disappointment for me here.
As for the subject matter and overall theme of the movie, well let's just say, that it is frightening to see how ignorance, incompetence, corruption, self-interest and just plain stupidity can make an already dire situation, worse! Though the topic might not be new, it has sparked my interest to take another closer and much more closer look at what brought upon the whole sordid episode that is the war in Iraq, the ensuing events and the environment which they created.
Though only loosely based on the book by journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran, "Imperial Life In The Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone",(a book which I am in the process of reading) the movie does touch on and brings forth the absurdity and folly of some of the parties involved in the decision-making process which led to the invasion of Iraq and its subsequent unravelling into chaos.
The movie, though for obvious reasons, taking creative licence with the events and the topic, is at most a hint, a suggestion at some of the underlying causes for the ensuing mess that became Iraq. It is a strong and effective one at that, but it is just a hint. It is up to the people to better inform themselves about this whole affair.
No matter what opinions one might have of war, or political views, one owes history and all those that were and continue to be affected by this war, to pay closer attention, to be more open-minded and critical of those who make the policies and take the decisions that so many have to live with. Iraq is no exception...
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