Eagle Eye Blu-ray delivers stunning video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Two strangers are ripped from their ordinary lives when they are "activated" as part or a high-tech assassination plot. Through blistering chases and shocking
twists they try to escape but where do you go when the enemy is everywhere?
Sometimes, the very measures we put into place to safeguard our liberty become threats to
liberty itself.
"Flashy" is the word of the day when it comes to describing the 2008 hit thriller starring the
hottest young actor on the planet, Shia LaBeouf (Transformers). The
film melds the current American political climate with groundbreaking technology into a
well-played, fast-paced, slickly-edited and directed film that plays on the perceived dangers of Big
Brother and the post-9/11 world. The basic concept presented to audiences in Eagle Eye
is nothing new; 1998's Enemy of the State,
starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman and directed by Tony Scott, did it earlier and did it better.
That's not to say that Eagle Eye is all unoriginal or second-rate. It's a fine picture, a
crowd pleaser to be sure, and well worth the price of admission. It does everything well enough,
including leaving audiences engaged for the length of the film and guessing until the plot begins
to take shape in the third act. Ultimately, it's not all that memorable of a film either, but that's
all right; it is what it is, it accomplishes all it sets out to do, and makes for a positive, if only
fleeting, cinematic experience.
Shia LaBeouf shows off the Blue Man Group's new red headband.
Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) leads a dull existence, struggling to pay his rent and working a dead-end
job at a copy and print store. That all changes when he learns that his twin brother, with whom
he has had little contact, has passed away suddenly. A grief-stricken Jerry is soon thereafter
thrown into a perilous series of events as he becomes the target of a determined law
enforcement official (Billy Bob Thornton, Bad Santa) after
Jerry suddenly becomes the holder of three-quarters of a million dollars, not to mention
numerous high-tech gadgets and weapons, all implicating him in terrorist activities. A mysterious
voice on the telephone leads him into
and out of danger, and soon enough the voice partners him with Rachel (Michelle Monaghan, Gone Baby Gone), a
mother whose son's life lies in her willingness to cooperate. As the pair elude the authorities and
death, they begin to piece together the mystery behind the voice that seems to know everything,
and become privy to a plot that may bring the country to its knees.
Eagle Eye's primary strength, aside from the fine performances, direction, and effects
shots, is in its none-too-distinctive but ultimately appropriate look and feel. Director D.J. Caruso
(Disturbia) creates a
cold, steely, uncertain atmosphere that not only emphasizes the dangers and disorientation of
the
film, but it also manages to pull audiences into the film and allow them experience the thrills,
tension, and confusion of the plot along with the actors themselves. Eagle Eye is
another film with shaky, hyperactive visuals. The car chase sequence in chapter eight a fine
example of the quick-paced, slickly-edited, and somewhat dizzying visuals the film employs. This
sequence and the other action sequences are exciting to be sure, but they are also somewhat
jittery and difficult to follow. Much of the rest of the film, even some mostly static shots, impress
the senses with the feel of a hand-held camera. It's not as jerky or consistently in-motion as
something like Cloverfield or The Kingdom, but
the effect is noticeable and adds something of a more dangerous and immediate feel to the
action.
Eagle Eye also features above average, but certainly not memorable, performances, from
each of its lead actors. Shia LaBeouf brings a youthful exuberance yet at the same time
decidedly steady and mature presence to his role. In the action sequences, he plays a confused,
scared, but ultimately determined and heroic character well, but it is in his more emotionally
charged scenes that he delivers his finest moments. An early scene featuring him in
mourning over the loss of his twin brother stands out as particularly gripping. Certainly,
conveying a sense of loss and grief to audiences for a character they do not even know seems
one of the more challenging prospects and actor must face, yet the burgeoning superstar LaBeouf
pulls it off marvelously. Never once do his emotions look forced; his conveyance of a man
stricken with sudden grief and uncontrollable sadness and regret comes through with remarkable
realism, and his actions certainly may move audiences, too. No doubt the actor dug deep for the
scene, for his is as genuine a grief-stricken reaction as any in memory. Michelle Monaghan is also
acceptable in her role that remains clouded in confusion longer than LaBeouf's; she clearly plays
second fiddle to the leading man but brings her own emotions to the character, portraying a
mother in fear for her son's life. Still, she doesn't quite capture the immediacy and danger of the
situation as well as LaBeouf, but her performance is above average, particularly during the film's
key sequences and climax. Finally, Billy Bob Thornton, one of the finest actors working today,
delivers his usual high quality performance. His is a very generic character, a run-and-chase law
enforcement official that manages to stay only a step behind his suspects. Nevertheless, he still
manages to bring some life and vigor to an otherwise forgettable character.
Eagle Eye sees all on Blu-ray through a 1080p, 2.40:1-framed transfer. This is a
handsome
transfer, with a high quality, lifelike look. Colors are natural in appearance in each of the various
lighting schemes the film offers. Detail is high in every shot, and a small layer of grain maintains a
cinematic look and feel to the film. Eagle Eye features a subtly dark appearance with a
decidedly blue and gray tint that lends a cold, metallic look to the film. Skies are often overcast and
many interior shots are not brightly lit, but no detail is lost due to the oftentimes less-than-ideal
lighting conditions. A few select, bright daytime shots look fabulous, too, with colors standing out as
a bit brighter and cleaner. The transfer is sharp and crisp, with no print anomalies to speak of.
Blacks are deep and dark, while flesh tones are natural in appearance. Eagle Eye looks
fantastic, even if much of the scenery and lighting schemes don't particularly lend themselves well
to eye-popping high definition material.
Eagle Eye features a high quality Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Like the video, it's
not the pinnacle of high definition, but is, instead, natural in presentation, an excellent quality in its
own right. Much of the track, for example a train depot scene in chapter three, creates
a realistic, pleasing atmosphere that places the viewers in the middle of each locale. The action
segments truly deliver; Jerry's escape from custody in chapter seven features a bombardment of
clear yet robust and exciting surround activity. This action pieces bring the film to vivid
life, with deep bass, swirling activity around the soundstage, and impeccable fidelity and imaging
that accompany the visuals to perfection. The track simply never misses an opportunity to fill the
soundstage with a robust presence, but it never becomes too harsh or overbearing; the action is
presented at just the right intensity and volume. Dialogue is sometimes a bit small, low in volume
and occasionally the slightest bit muffled under the music, atmosphere, and effects. Nevertheless,
Eagle Eye delivers the expected upper-echelon lossless soundtrack, another Dolby TrueHD
winner from DreamWorks.
DreamWorks brings Eagle Eye to Blu-ray with a handful of supplements. Asymmetrical
Warfare: The Making of 'Eagle Eye' (1080i, 25:32) is first. This is a basic behind-the-scenes
piece that offers cast and crew interviews, clips from the film, and plenty of footage from the set.
Information ranges from the origins of the story, the strengths the actors brought to the film,
Steven Spielberg's influence on the film, the special effects, and more. Eagle Eye on Location:
Washington, D.C. (1080i, 5:58) takes a closer look at shooting in the nation's capital. Is
My Cell Phone Spying on Me? (1080i, 9:14) examines the role of technology and surveillance in
modern society. Shall We Play a Game? (1080i, 9:22) features a chat between director
D.J. Caruso and his mentor, director John Badham (Short Circuit). Road
Trip (1080i, 3:05) examines the rigors of shooting in numerous locations. Concluding
the supplements are four deleted scenes (1080p, 4:39), a 1080p photo gallery, a gag reel (1080p,
7:00), and the film's theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:35).
Eagle Eye offers two hours of solid entertainment, the film engendering a sense of urgency
and confusion in the audience through its smartly veiled plot that doesn't reveal itself too early,
captured by D.J. Caruso's fine direction that engages the audience and allows them to experience
the topsy-turvy world the film showcases. Also a positive is the film's satisfying series of
medium-scale action sequences that keep the tempo and vitality of the story full steam ahead. The
lead performers turn in above-average performances, with Shia LaBeouf and Billy Bob Thornton
standing above the rest. Once again, DreamWorks delivers a high quality Blu-ray of a new
release film. Eagle Eye features first-class audio and video presentations, supported by a
hearty selection of bonus materials. For an entertaining Saturday night thriller that takes
advantage of the Blu-ray format, look no further than Eagle Eye. Recommended.
Paramount Home Entertainment has announced that they will bring the Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan action film 'Eagle Eye' to Blu-ray on December 30th, day-and-date with the DVD release. The film, which was executive produced by Steven Spielberg, will feature ...
