On a Very Modern War Film with Eye in the Sky

There have been war films that have explored the contemporary nature of war. Philosophically, of course, but technologically, too. In Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty (2012) we saw the gadgets and the drone footage involved in capturing Bin Laden and comedies such as Grimsby (2016) display the comedy that can be found in drone warfare. However, Eye in the Sky maybe the first truly 21^st Century war film in its detailed investigation of drone conflict. And, in doing so, it shows us the horror and the farce of unmanned killing machines.

Gavin Hood has crafted a thriller of immense skill that balances its many spinning plates like an episode of Game of Thrones (2011- ). In short, the editing here is exemplary. We are exposed to several different rooms around the world and one exterior setting as we follow the decision making involving one drone, one house and two missiles. Guy Hibbert’s screenplay is superb. It does so much, while seeming effortless. It flows beautifully, covering drone pilots, diplomats, politicians, terrorists and bureaucracy without ever appearing crowded or rushed. Equally, this is a script that is morally challenging. Whatever your beliefs about drone warfare, Eye in the Sky will ask you to question them and if you had no beliefs, you’ll leave baffled at the state of modern warfare and ease with which killing can take place.

Hood’s mise-en-scene is quietly mocking as his characters, sat in comfortable rooms or in exotic locations are dressed in military clothing, playing ping pong or sipping tea. His distaste for the politics of death by remote is clear, but not stuffed down our throats. The humour is subtle, but has terrifying undertones as Alan Rickman’s Lieutenant performs mundane tasks at the same time as encouraging (convincingly) collateral damage. This is an intelligent, balanced film that benefits from Hood’s light touch and Hibbert’s well research script.