Film Review: Munich

Munich (15)
Dir. Steven Spielberg

Reviewed by Matt Adcock


The world was watching in 1972 as 11 Israeli athletes were murdered at the Munich Olympics. This is the story of what happened next… and man it’s strong stuff too.
Thrilling but brutal, grim and highly paranoid – that’s a description which fits both the plot overall and the actions of the main protagonists of the film. Eric ‘Hulk’ Bana is on scorching form as Avner, the meek leader of a revenge hit squad unofficially commissioned by the Israeli government to seek out and execute those Palestinians deemed responsible for the Munich killings. Avner is a man driven by the desire to please his mother country even when faced with actions that he questions and targets whose part in the Munich atrocity he doesn’t know. Motivated and galvanised principally by Prime Minister Golda Meir who tells him: ”Forget peace for now. We have to show them we're strong.” This is a film that will make you think long into the night about morals, righteous revenge and the value of life – throw away entertainment this is not.
But then it is a Steven Spielberg film, so you can expect the meticulous attention to detail - it really does feel like a historical flashback if you have any memories of the 70 's. This is evidently a high quality package, which tightly winds a compelling tale based on real events, liberally sprinkled with hard hitting murders and an ever-increasing sense of menace that will stay with you.
In this post 9/11 world it is somehow easier to believe that there were groups operating 30 odd years ago whose sole objectives were the hunting down and killing of terrorist ring leaders wherever they might be. Spielberg to his credit though doesn’t play for quick ‘kill the bad guys’ thrills but really gets into the brain scrambling consequences of the Israeli reactive stance and the cyclical nature of violence and terrorism.
There are some truly superb nail biting sequences that will make you sweat with that delicious edge of the seat tension you only find in films which suck you right into the drama on screen. My pick is one scene where a target’s cute young daughter is on the verge of answering a booby-trapped telephone – you’ll really want to scream at the screen.
In short then, Munich is potentially the most powerful, intense and important film of the year already, the definition of a ‘must see’ movie.

Darkmatt Rating: ööööö (excellent thriller - that everyone who likes film needs to see)

"For the love of God man - take off the 'I'm a Undercover Hitman' cap!!"

Darkmatters: H O M E