The Green Zone, the latest film by Bourne director Paul Greengrass, plunges the audience into a fairly gritty and realistic portrayal of the Iraq War. The film opens with Roy Miller, played by Matt Damon, an army officer whose unit is hunting for Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction in the year 2003. In the opening minutes, his unit once again turns up empty handed. The movie then shifts its focus Miller's encounter and pursuit of former Saddam general Al-Rawi and a conspiracy involving high ranking Pentagon official Clark Poundstone, played by Greg Kinnear.
More than anything, the marketing of Green Zone attempts to create a connection to the Bourne Movies, which is very misleading. Matt Damon isn't on the run from the government in the film, nor is he a super soldier. What ties the two films together is the presentation and directorial style of both. Both involve frantic, hand-held camera work, and star Matt Damon dealing with government corruption. Unlike the Bourne movies, Green Zone draws its inspiration from reality: you very much feel like the events portrayed could've actually happened.
The first two thirds of Green Zone are of very high quality. The film moves at a fast clip, drawing you in with its frenetic camera work, realistic dialogue and superb, understated acting. Its plot is complex and political without becoming confusing. It's such a strong first portion than you find yourself wondering if the climax can match it. And in fact it can't. The final act of the film quickly devolves into a mildly entertaining action movie, the careful plotting that made the rest of the movie so good is quickly discarded for spontaneous revelations and character decisions that lack weight. The climax of film, unlike the Bourne Supremacy, is completely forgettable. In the end, The Green Zone is an entertaining popcorn movie that further highlights the directorial strength of Paul Greengrass. B-
More than anything, the marketing of Green Zone attempts to create a connection to the Bourne Movies, which is very misleading. Matt Damon isn't on the run from the government in the film, nor is he a super soldier. What ties the two films together is the presentation and directorial style of both. Both involve frantic, hand-held camera work, and star Matt Damon dealing with government corruption. Unlike the Bourne movies, Green Zone draws its inspiration from reality: you very much feel like the events portrayed could've actually happened.
The first two thirds of Green Zone are of very high quality. The film moves at a fast clip, drawing you in with its frenetic camera work, realistic dialogue and superb, understated acting. Its plot is complex and political without becoming confusing. It's such a strong first portion than you find yourself wondering if the climax can match it. And in fact it can't. The final act of the film quickly devolves into a mildly entertaining action movie, the careful plotting that made the rest of the movie so good is quickly discarded for spontaneous revelations and character decisions that lack weight. The climax of film, unlike the Bourne Supremacy, is completely forgettable. In the end, The Green Zone is an entertaining popcorn movie that further highlights the directorial strength of Paul Greengrass. B-