Sicario: a cinematic masterpiece

by Cameron Tejeda | staff writer

Sicario is directed by Denis Villeneuve and tells the story of an FBI agent (Emily Blunt) who gets involved with another task force to fight the war against drugs in Mexico. Denis Villeneuve has quickly become one of my favorite directors after creating phenomenal films like Prisoners (2013) and Enemy (2014). Now, Sicario is added to his excellent filmography.

Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio del Toro are wonderful in this movie. All three of them give performances that really made me invested in their characters. But the biggest thing that makes this film great is the dark and sickening atmosphere that immersed me right from the start. The cinematography by Roger Deakins is incredible! It is the leading factor that contributed to the grim mood and suspense given off by the film. The tension created from the start is felt throughout the entire movie. The action is great and made me uneasy and very anxious, especially a scene near the end that takes place at night in a tunnel. Also, the score for the film piles on yet another layer of intensity.

My only problem with the movie comes from the story. It didn’t grip me the way I would have liked it to. I’m going to compare it to another very intense film of Villeneuve’s called Prisoners (My favorite movie of the 2010s so far). Prisoners had a story that was so strong, that even the dialogue was riveting. I didn’t want to miss any second of it. In Sicario, I just didn’t get that same feeling. The story was kind of your typical drug bust movie with a little twist thrown in. I think it also dragged a bit in a couple of parts. However, the gloomy and revolting atmosphere completely made up for it, as well as the extraordinary cinematography.

 Overall, Sicario is a perfectly shot, suspenseful and tension filled movie that anyone who can take the violence should watch.

 My Rating: A-