'Eagle Eye': Strangers called into action as Big Brother watches
Is Shia LaBeouf the superstar he’s supposed to be yet? And what does it mean for his career if he’s not?
For a couple years now, our Shia has been pegged as the next Tom Hanks, especially after the one-two punch of “Disturbia” — Hitchcock for the “One Tree Hill” set — and the box office behemoth that was “Transformers.”
EAGLE EYE
Two and a half stars
STARRING: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton and Rosario
Dawson DIRECTOR: D. J. Caruso
RUNNING TIME: 118 minutes
RATING: PG-13 for action, violence and language.
THE LOWDOWN: Two strangers become wanted by the government after they each receive a mysterious phone call.
One could make the argument that Gary Coleman could’ve played the lead in “Transformers” and it still would’ve been a summer smash. But “Disturbia” showcased a young actor who was likable, funny and able to carry a film on his own.
Only an idiot would’ve turned down “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” even if offered a character named Mutt, and it worked out nicely for La-Beouf. While many have grumbled about the film — UFOs? Tarzan-esque vine swinging? John Hurt’s beard? — it was another warm-weather smash and, I think, in hindsight, will be greeted with some critical reassessment.
But “Eagle Eye” is a test, LaBeouf’s first release following a recent well-publicized car flipping. Will another La- Beouf mugshot have an impact on this new film’s take? Is he considered “adult” enough to carry a big fall release? And why so many questions?
Smartly, “Eagle” reteams LaBeouf with “Disturbia” director D. J. Caruso, a filmmaker who has proven himself quite capable of handling fantastical action (“The Salton Sea,” “Taking Lives”) and utter trash (the shouty-Pacino disaster that was “Two for the Money”).
Consider “Eagle Eye” somewhere between the Caruso extremes when it comes to quality.
LaBeouf plays Jerry, a bit of a noncharacter who is pushed into action when he suddenly receives a phone call that changes his life: “The FBI will arrive at your apartment in 30 seconds.” Yes, the frustrating “voice on the phone” is back quickly after being put to adequate use in “Phone Booth” and “Cellular.”
Now certifiably on the run, he hooks up with a stranger, played by the always appealing Michelle Monaghan, who received the same call. The duo must try to solve the mystery, and clear their names, all while being watched by the great eyes in the sky.
It’s a shame to see Rosario Dawson wasted again in a mainstream film, but the cast is solid — Billy Bob Thornton, Western New York native William Sadler, Michael Chiklis — even if the final twist is not.
The entire vehicle came from an idea by Steven Spielberg, and what I found most lacking is the Spielbergian sense of awe that the aging master is still capable of. Sorry, but D. J. Caruso is simply not — yet. He keeps the suspense tight and the conclusion bombastic, but it’s hard to escape some gaping plot holes and a real sense that we’ve been down this path before in better films, even if the opening is wonderfully menacing.
Really, though, in this age of the Patriot Act and GPS, does the concept that any one of us could be found, framed and hunted at any moment even seem so surprising? I think not. “Somebody set me up. Why is that so hard for you to understand?” Jerry asks Thornton’s gruff interrogator. I felt like responding, “It’s not. We get it!” But I guess then there’d be no movie.
So it’s really LaBeouf that keeps us interested. And if “Eagle Eye” is any indication, LaBeouf learned a great deal from his “I, Robot” co-star Will Smith. Smith always seems to know what roles play to his strengths as an actor — even a critically derided work like “Hancock” cruises to $200 million — while also taking dramatic risks in “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Here, LaBeouf is in “Enemy of the State” mode, and it fits him. He has an everyman quality that doesn’t seem to grate, and is appropriately grown-up. And while “Eagle Eye” is far from a masterpiece, it’s certainly a well-crafted slice of cinema.
Let’s just hope he keeps the extracurricular high jinks to a minimum. Robert Downey Jr., after all, had the talent to back up his earlier misdeeds. We’re all still a tad unsure about LaBeouf, but more “Eagles Eyes” will help.•
Reader Comments
Click To View and Add Comments