EAGLE EYE is an entertaining thriller that moves at a quick pace. On the downside, the villain reveal is a letdown and
the movie left me with a "That's It?!" feeling after it was over. The first hour of the film had me feeling like it was trying
to channel NORTH BY NORTHWEST. Then the film just keeps pumping action until it just feels like it wants to fizzle out or
take a break. It has the dead twin brother plot point seen in other films and the guy framed for a crime he didn't do (and
no one is going to believe him). You have the woman who is also in the situation with threats to kill her son if she doesn't
compile. Then you have the mystery female who calls the main character (Shia LaBeouf), the single mom (Michelle Monaghan),
and several others who get threatened to do things. if they don't, they die or someone else will. EAGLE EYE steals plenty
from plots of other films.
EAGLE EYE does hold up better on a second viewing when you see it as a paranoia fueled thriller where technology is turned
against us and the issue of privacy is also questioned. Stil I wanted more from the ending.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The first disc has two extras- three deleted scenes (two are actually extended scenes. It is debateable whether the
second one should have been cut at all) and a three minute promotional featurette (ROAD TRIP: ON LOACTION WITH THE CAST AND
CREW) on the making of the film.
The second disc features more extras like the Rockstar alternate ending which was thankfully cut. The original theatrical
trailer is here too. The rest is a series of featurettes on the film.
ASYMMETRICAL WARFARE: THE MAKING OF EAGLE EYE- the making of featurette is in more detail than the three minute promo
thing on disc one was. It was an idea that Steven Spielberg had 10 years ago. The cast came on board once the director
and star were in place. It was filmed in multiple locations (rarely the same location for more than 2 or 3 days). DJ Caruso
tried to do as many practical effects as he could compared to CGI.
EAGLE EYE ON LOCATION: WASHINGTON D.C. is a brief six minute behind-the-scenes featurette.
IS MY CELL PHONE SPYING ON ME? says it all as the cast, crew, and experts weigh in on the subject
SHALL WE PLAY A GAME has a conversation between director John Boorman and director DJ Caruso as they compare (and chat)
about WAR GAMES and EAGLE EYE.
Rounding out the extras is an eight minute gag reel where Billy Bob Thornton provides the most laughs.
FINAL ANALYSIS: EAGLE EYE is better on a second viewing. The extras on the two disc special edition could have fit on
one disc.
this DVD review is (c)12-22-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to
lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com and look for additional content at http://enterline2.tripod.com
