Here’s a question for you – if a summer movie comes out in the first week of fall, is it still a summer movie? By definition, a summer movie is a bit of escapism wrapped up in a shiny package filled with car chases, explosions, derring-do, some good chuckles and beautiful women.

“Eagle Eye” has all of these elements in spades, it just was released on the last Friday of September. Perhaps it didn’t want to fight it out with the superhero movies this summer, but I think “Eagle Eye” would have been able to hold its own. It has a crisp story with that “fresh from the headlines” appeal, some sizable star power (Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson) and some action sequences that rival the last “Die Hard” movie in both wow factor and hilarity.

LaBeouf and Monaghan play everyday people (Jerry and Rachel) who get caught up in some wild conspiracy that seems to involve terrorists and a potential attack on a target in the U.S. A female’s voice tells them to do things and if they won’t comply, there are serious consequences. As they start to follow these orders, government agents start trailing them, thinking that this unlikely duo are terrorists and are linked to all the chatter they are hearing. Much of the film consists of Jerry and Rachel on the run and following orders and government suits trying to put it all together in their wake.

There is a pretty significant twist that I didn’t see coming, although in retrospect it seems kind of obvious, still “Eagle Eye” was a lot of fun. LaBeouf is as good as always and is as close to the new generation’s title of box office gold as anyone. Thornton also does well as the prickly agent chasing Jerry, and Monaghan is a solid leading lady (Please let there be more of her as Angie Gennarro.)

Director DJ Caruso (“Disturbia”) also deserves a lot of credit for making a smooth action picture without Bay-ing up the joint. The major car chase could have been a little clearer and shot with fewer close-ups, but that seems to be the trend in lots of movies these days. All in all, the movie trucked along at a good pace and I was kept guessing on how the whole thing would end.

“Eagle Eye” may not have the pedigree of other fall releases, many of which are shooting for awards, but it is a fun movie and a terrific way to spend two hours.

login to post comments