Movie Reviews
Munich 
Rated R (2005)
Starring: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Ciaran Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, Hanns Zischler, Geoffrey Rush, Ayelet Zurer, Michael Lonsdale, Mathiew Amalric
Direction: Steven Spielberg
Production: Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Barry Mendel, Colin Wilson
Screenplay: Tony Kushner, based on Vengeance by George Jonas
by Vincent St. James
The Lowdown:
Truly a powerful film that handles the events and their social consequences with as much care as the internal psychological and emotional consequences. Spielberg's direction here is at its best since Schindler's List, and Eric Bana has solidified his rep as a worthy actor.
MUNICH
There have been many films that deal with the issue of terrorism, no doubt. Most of them involve some super-human special forces agent kicking all of the terrorists ass and then making out with the hot damsel in distress when it's all over. Some of these movies were actually well done and entertaining. Munich, however, deals with the issue of ethnic strife, struggle and violence on a much more powerful level. There are no heroes in this film. There are no good and bad guys, only bad and worse. The main characters are human, meaning they have their faults, no matter how sincere their intentions. In short, Spielberg's film is not only based (loosely) on actual events, but is also about the real world. Spielberg does very well in presenting the circumstances, the tragedy, and very compelling characters all while prompting the viewer to consider his or her own morals, letting the viewer decide between right and wrong. In fact, I can't immediately think of a film quite like Munich. The tragic events of the 1972 Olympics were real and astonishing, and Spielberg's task here is not to recreate the events as much as bring to the forefront the effects of such events and of the retaliation to them, with Israel committing the retaliation in this film to the killing of their athletes by a group of Palestinians in Munich, Germany.
One critique I have heard about this film is that it takes the side of one group over the other, and I could not disagree more. One of Munich's strengths is how it portrays the entire situation. Sure, the athletes were innocent, but Spielberg is careful to make sure that the film by no means suggests that Israel's response is correct or just. In fact, it is clear that one of the underlying themes of the film is that violence only begets violence, and in the end there is only more suffering. That is a general idea, but given the point of the movie, it's worth noting the quality of dialogue among characters of different backgrounds in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Different view points are shown, both with their points, and neither is entirely wrong or right. There is no black and white, only gray, and Munich makes sure to point out that the only thing that is true and sure is the inevitable loss and suffering of humanity when nations chose violence over diplomacy.
How does this point get across in the film? Well, it wouldn't if it weren't for Eric Bana's portrayal of Avner. It is Avner who must lead a group of five in hunting down the planners of Munich- Steve (Daniel Craig), a South African ex-operative; Carl (Ciaran Hinds), the "cleaner"; Robert (Mathieu Kassovitz), the bombmaker; and Hans (Hanns Zischler), the forger.
It is through Bana's Avner that most of the key elements of the film are realized. He starts off doing a duty for his country. Slowly, however, with each assassination, he loses a piece of himself. Eventually it becomes so serious that not even his wife can block out the images of violence and murder from his mind. In carrying out the retaliation process, he has scarred himself, thus sacrificing himself to his country's cause--but at what price, and what reward? With every kill, more come back their way. What's worse is that Avner is never really free from his work...no matter what, he will be linked to the killings, thus putting his life, and his family's life, in danger. For what reward?
The action in the movie is well done. I can certainly appreciate a film with explosions and shoot outs that are meaningful. Not only that, but they are good scenes in that they are well shot and gutsy, i.e. Spielberg doesn't hold anything back. Some of the action scenes in Munich are better than in action flicks, but that is mostly due to the storyline and emotional and psychological effect of these scenes as opposed to the awe-striking effect of other films'.
MINOR SPOLIER ALERT ...SKIP TO THE LAST PARAGRAPH
One of my favorite scenes is the ending, where Avner engages in the sacred act of making love to his wife. The problem? He is tormented by visions of violence, tragedy and death. This is the extent of the toll that the events have taken on the main character. Avner has obviously changed since the beginning of the film, and will never be the same again.
Spielberg was not one of my favorites, but if he continues at this pace he will be before it's all said and done. This film is up there with some of his best work indeed, and most importantly this film has a message and meaning that can be applied to many aspects of society, and many people can learn from it. This movie is as important and relevant to today as it is good. Well done.
* Home * Movies * Self-Management * Money-Management * Education/Careers * Relationships * About * Contact
theCollegeGuys.com
Copyright 2005-2006. All Rights Reserved.