Sicario

⭐ 10/10

I hadn't seen this movie since the theatres, and my goodness what a movie it is!  I remember being completely gripped the first time I saw it and it was the same this time around.  Wonderful performances all around, especially Benecio Del Toro, but I think my girl Emily Blunt is the perfect character to follow throughout.  She is an agent getting pulled into something she doesn't understand for some unknown reason, and you are dragged along by the collar. From the opening scene this movie is exciting and grim. I think it has a completely pessimistic outlook on life, a world where revenge is necessary and worth breaking all the rules for.

I think the worst part of this movie is its attempt to humanize someone on the other side of the border.  Out of context that makes me sound terrible, and I do think its a good idea, just not very well executed, felt a bit tacked on. Although I will say when that guy pops up in the final sequence and you recognize him it is satisfying and chilling omen, and I think that's the payoff they wanted.

The final 30 minutes of this movie are so exhilarating.  There is this stunning and scary mission through these dark tunnels, which leads to one man going rogue and executing vigilante justice.  It is horrific and stunning and honestly very satisfying, despite how dark it gets.  Again I think Blunt's character perfectly expresses how the audience should feel and the way she is left is the way you are left as the viewer.

The action scenes in this movie are beautifully done, tense but also coherent and pretty to look at.  There is an extraction scene at a border crossing that is so well stages, made me think of some of the action in Dune. The opening sequence is like a horror movie. There is a one on one fight scene in close quarters that is claustrophobic and scary. And then the masterpiece final 30. In a world where action movies are defined by CGI and big explosions this one is tight and realistic and more effective. Really a masterpiece for me, Dune is probably my favourite movie in the past 20 years but I think this is one of the best.

Going Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Dune, Dune 2 is an all time run, and I think Denis is going in the books as an all timer.  Maybe I should watch Enemy? He has certainly earned my faith.  This was the first movie of his I saw and he got the season pass - if he makes a movie I will be there in the theatre.