Emily Blunt as Kate makes for a very intriguing and relatable character. She is not a blank slate, she is rather the character we experience the events with other than through. But she still seems like someone the audience can immediately relate to. Her character's way of thinking throughout the movie is if she feels that she is prepared enough for a task like this. This is a mission that she is not used to. She is fierce, strong, and stern, but at the same time the audience can share the same fears as she has. She ultimately makes for a strong complex character because of this, and Blunt's performance is proof of this as well. I also love that she has a male best friend who DOES NOT end up being her love interest! We see in most movies today, even the good ones, that the male lead and the female lead, no matter who gets top billing, always end up together. Even if they did get together, it would have been a little progressive as she is a Caucasian white woman and her best friend is a black African-American man, but I still like that this movie can say a man and a woman can just be friends with no romance involved. We also have Josh Brolin, whose character, despite the bleak tone of the film, manages to bring some humanity and a little enjoyable dry humor to the film. The character he plays is a questionable and suspicious one yes, but there is a likability to his obnoxious behavior and cockiness. But the actor who absolutely steals the show is Benicio Del Toro as Alejandro. This is a character that has a lot of interesting mystery to. del Toro's performance adds to this character's intriguing nature. There are a lot of intimidating characters in film history, that we know if we ever came across in real life, we know not to mess with them. But here is the interesting part about Alejandro, there are moments in the film where he seems open, warm, and even at times approachable. Although throughout the film, Kate does not trust him, there are times when they can be found having non-threatening casual conversations. There are times when he is concerned for her safety. He does not act like an intimidating force one-hundred percent of the time. But you can make the argument that just makes him even more intimidating, because he has the ability to use some sort of reverse psychology trick to make you easily let your guard down. Benicio's performance is so cold, so direct, and very chilling. Throughout the movie, his intentions are a misery and the reveal adds a lot of depth to his character. There have been talks of a sequel featuring Alejandro, and though some may say leave the character a mystery, I am intrigued enough by him to know more.
The directing by Dennis Villenueva is genius. There are a good number of scenes that build so much suspense. The whole time during going in and during the second act, I was gripping my seat because I did not know was going to happen next. And when the payoff comes, it comes with a bang! Through out the build ups, the dialogue and scenery are masterfully crafted. You have something to focus on, that when the payoff comes, it automatically catches you off guard in a good way. The action is gruesomely authentic. When someone gets shot in the head or the chest, the sound effect from the guns boom, and the shot effect is quick, deadly, and bloody. I really felt I was experiencing this disturbing stuff for real. Another compliment I want to give to the director is the way the very final scene was shot. I don't want to spoil anything, but let me just say it represents the setting and environment of the film perfectly.
In a positive way, the story kind of reminds me of Silence of the Lambs. When I really think about it, Kate is sort of like Clarice Starling, as they both work for the FBI and have to take down an anonymous threat. The FBI as well as to get aid from some sort of expert, which makes Alejandro like the Hannibal Lecter. But though Alejandro has darkness in him, he is not as twisted as Lecter. What these two films do well is create a world of these intriguing characters that you just want to explore like Lecter and Alejandro, that can probably make for a good franchise. But even as a one off film, Sicario is a thrilling, suspenseful, and well directed piece of art. It creates a gritty, dark, somewhat surreal, bleak, but thrilling world that I dare to explore.
GRADE: AE
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