An idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) from the start, seemed like she was in way over her head in her role on the force. More tactical than physical, Macer leads her team on a raid to open up the film. The only person she really relies on is that of her partner Reggie Wayne (Daniel Kaluuya). But once her leadership and tact catches the eye of her boss Dave Jennings (Victor Garber) she’s selected to “voluntarily” join a government task force to take down drug cartels.
Sicario is a strategic-action film from director Denis Villeneuve, with writing by Taylor Sheridan. They do a great job of building suspense before every mission. The music accompanying these scenes is amazing and you definitely need to hear it The Beast
With these new missions Kate is playing a lesser role. Add the fact that she has a jerk for a boss named Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and this “promotion” starts to look more like a punishment. Everyone is so secretive around her that she doubts everything around her. Things get even weirder when she meets Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro) who she later discovers is a cut throat hitman.
What I enjoyed most about this film was the fact that it wasn’t your typical action movie. White heroine, “The black guy” dies first, (throw in added stereotypes or cliches), etc. Ol’ idealistic Kate is not only weak but extremely naive from start to finish. The protagonist ends up being someone you wouldn’t expect and the movie ever so slightly shifts focus on another character during a transition. I love the fact it was unpredictable.
Sicario gets an 8.5 out of 10. It’s good, not too many slow parts, and the suspense build up is spot-on. If you didn’t see it last weekend, this needs to be on your priority list this weekend.
-Jon J.