Read Mixed User Reviews for Sicario

5

kamgeforceDec 25, 2015

Pretty much no story whatsoever, the trend of female and black guy continues, both characters absolutely useless and added only for "diversity" reasons. Solid audio visuals, though the soundtrack is bland and forgetable. Worth seeing only forPretty much no story whatsoever, the trend of female and black guy continues, both characters absolutely useless and added only for "diversity" reasons. Solid audio visuals, though the soundtrack is bland and forgetable. Worth seeing only for Benicio Del Toro.… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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6

podunk411Nov 28, 2015

The directing and cinematography were great. The overall performances were solid. However I can't get past how poorly written the main character is, (Emily Blunt) or her partner. There's something missing when they get the short end of theThe directing and cinematography were great. The overall performances were solid. However I can't get past how poorly written the main character is, (Emily Blunt) or her partner. There's something missing when they get the short end of the stick in the story. Almost feels like several key scenes were cut that would've given Blunt's character more of an active role in everything. Whatever the reason for the oversight, it's still an action packed movie worth watching, just not best film of the year.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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6

jcasetnlNov 30, 2016

Keeps interest with gritty visuals and interesting characters, but Emily Blunt is completely miscast as the hand-picked local law enforcement to assist in a larger drug operation that plays fast and loose with the law. Blunt, sold early inKeeps interest with gritty visuals and interesting characters, but Emily Blunt is completely miscast as the hand-picked local law enforcement to assist in a larger drug operation that plays fast and loose with the law. Blunt, sold early in the film as a tough-but-moral cop (and her toughness is a hard sell, indeed) makes one bumbling, naive move after another as the chaos of the drug war is revealed to her. From a plot perspective, ultimately her roll in the drug operation really doesn't make much sense, and it doesn't take much thought to imagine a ton of other FBI better suited to the overarching goals. Vague, I know, but I can't say more unless you want spoilers.

Setting aside Blunt, a side story of a Mexican State police officer who smuggles drugs never really goes anywhere save to humanize some of the low-level traffickers "just trying to put food on the table". Of course he loves his son. Of course his wife is worried and prays at dinner. Of course his son plays soccer. Lastly, if you like films with military operations, tactics and so on, this isn't your film. Literally in the first couple minutes, Blunt is on an FBI operation to bust a drug house in full body armor, assault weapons and a troop carrier. As they're searching the house yelling tactical stuff like "room clear!", Blunt walks into a room without looking(!!), and the cliche bad guy with a shotgun is of course standing right out in the open, and of course is going to shoot it out despite dozens of agents swarming the building. He manages to miss from five feet away, but ol' quick draw Emily Blunt spins and pumps him full of lead. He falls to the ground still clutching the shotgun, and Blunt walks right up to him, doesn't neutralize his weapon and then checks his pulse. For a film trying to do gritty realism, it doesn't fly.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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6

Brent_MarchantFeb 1, 2016

A would-be thriller that never quite lives up to its potential, due to numerous lapses into labored storytelling. The film's superb action sequences, beautiful cinematography, fine performances and haunting soundtrack are real stand-outs,A would-be thriller that never quite lives up to its potential, due to numerous lapses into labored storytelling. The film's superb action sequences, beautiful cinematography, fine performances and haunting soundtrack are real stand-outs, but, unfortunately, they're undercut by uneven pacing and the inclusion of a little too much padding. With a little tightening up, this could have been a much better effort.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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5

foxgroveOct 11, 2015

The problem with Sicario is that it is too much of an infuriating mystery before it becomes anything else. After a stunningly horrific opening the film meanders disappointingly before advancing the story in to any meaningful or understandableThe problem with Sicario is that it is too much of an infuriating mystery before it becomes anything else. After a stunningly horrific opening the film meanders disappointingly before advancing the story in to any meaningful or understandable context. Dealing as it does with the drug trade between Mexico and the states, the picture is predictably violent requiring constant viewer attention, but is never boring. The screenplay is generally fine, but there are definitely situations that are questionable plot contrivances (Officials fast tracking cars through the border only to have them caught in a traffic jam; The pointless act of obtaining Blunt’s signature to stop her talking, and even Del Toro’s motive for his involvement in the operation). The traffic jam shootout is actually a very good set piece and, whilst the film may take its time for three quarters of its length, there is no denying the power and tension created in the last half an hour. The sound and music add volumes in atmosphere and the performances of the three leads are good.
Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro both play unsympathetic characters. Brolin comes over as smug and confidently self-satisfied whilst Del Toro, giving the film’s best performance, is a silent and mysterious character who can turn impassively violent in a heartbeat. Surprisingly, given the early buzz on her role, Emily Blunt’s character turns out to be very reactionary to the males around her. For much of the running time she hasn’t a clue as to what is going on and seems to be there either to be brutalised or ignored, appearing naïve and out of her depth. Considering that this is the type of lead that would normally have gone to a male star it is all the more surprising a let-down. This is definitely not a performance heading for an Oscar nomination despite her excellence at what little is required of her.… Expand

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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4

CanisrahDec 25, 2015

A convoluted and obtuse plot badly paced can't be explained away by using adjectives like 'gritty' and 'edgy'. But slow exposition aside there are some tense sequences which are entertaining but for the major flaw in this film. The casting.A convoluted and obtuse plot badly paced can't be explained away by using adjectives like 'gritty' and 'edgy'. But slow exposition aside there are some tense sequences which are entertaining but for the major flaw in this film. The casting.

Seriously - Emily Blunt is totally superfluous to the story as is her sidekick. Not only is the presence of this jarring duo unnecessary, but Emily's presence amongst the Delta soldiers and other tough guys comes off as forced and weak. The 'tough female protagonist' angle they were aiming for falls absolutely flat and ends up looking quite absurd.

Ultimately what could have been a serviceable action thriller is undermined by silly casting probably done for 'diversity' reasons - Hollywood insists on pushing this unrealistic feminist/social justice narrative which sees Emily blunt look like a fish out of water and her black guy buddy totally useless and superfluous. If you are going to cast a tough female... at least give her character some flesh to go with the bones and some contextual reason in the plot for actually being there.

It got quite amusing in the end - tense action sequences followed by numerous scenes of Emily Blunt smoking. Action (in which Emily is pretty much a passenger). Emily Smoking. Emily needs a new bra (that's in the film). Action. Emily smoking.

Meh.… Expand

7 of 11 users found this helpful74

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5

penfifteenSep 27, 2015

Great acting. Great cinematography. GREAT music. Great directing. But a mediocre plot. The protagonist, who you want to take action and have a little input in her own future, is a passive passenger, only along for the ride (kicking andGreat acting. Great cinematography. GREAT music. Great directing. But a mediocre plot. The protagonist, who you want to take action and have a little input in her own future, is a passive passenger, only along for the ride (kicking and screaming the whole way.) The first half is amazing, the second half, unfortunately, is a bit of a dud.… Expand

6 of 10 users found this helpful64

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4

VNVreviewerJan 10, 2016

Please don't be fooled by the trailers and any review stating this movie is "action packed" because it isn't. There is some action and most of it is well done (I say only most because the tunnel sequence near the end was extremely poorlyPlease don't be fooled by the trailers and any review stating this movie is "action packed" because it isn't. There is some action and most of it is well done (I say only most because the tunnel sequence near the end was extremely poorly done) but "action packed" is an exaggeration. In between the sparse action is a very slow paced and obtuse movie. Another negative is Emily Blunt's character. I say her character because it is the writing that's at fault rather than Emily Blunt's portrayal. Her constant questioning and moral dilemmas just came across as very irritating and I didn't empathize with her character one bit. Her and her partner's exclusion would have made for a slightly less complicated and more enjoyable movie. Some other positives are that the cinematography was very good, the soundtrack was very atmospheric and effective and Benicio Del Toro was as cool and magnetic as ever but these weren't enough to save the movie. If you're interested in the subject matter, I would still recommend it but if like me, you're not and are looking for an entertaining movie, you should avoid watching it.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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6

Douglas56Sep 26, 2015

The film has its virtues – principally the acting and the look, which is occasionally gorgeous – but it falls short in the most important department, the script. With a predictable plot on a well-worn theme, and with little dialogue of note,The film has its virtues – principally the acting and the look, which is occasionally gorgeous – but it falls short in the most important department, the script. With a predictable plot on a well-worn theme, and with little dialogue of note, it's very hard for Villeneuve to sustain any dramatic tension. What tension there is is largely supplied by an excellent and suitably grim soundtrack. The film's 'message', if that's the right word, is that after decades of politicians' rhetoric about 'the war on drugs', the reality is that this is what drug enforcement has become - just another bloody war - with all that implies for the rule of law and the pursuit of justice. That's really the best I can say about Sicario.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

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5

DanGreenieSep 27, 2015

Not for kids of any age. A very dark, gory movie with an eerie soundtrack to enhance the plot. Violence incarnate to reflect the depraved nature of the drug business. I found the tension in the movie to be pervasive with a proper use of cutNot for kids of any age. A very dark, gory movie with an eerie soundtrack to enhance the plot. Violence incarnate to reflect the depraved nature of the drug business. I found the tension in the movie to be pervasive with a proper use of cut aways and suspenseful moments. What gave me LOL moments was the presumption that the female lead was believable. She was not. Her character was a feminist fantasy shattered by the one real scene where a possible hit man succeeds in nearly choking her to death. Had the dark angel not saved her, she would have been toast ... as it would be in real life. Her protesting and silly announcement she would "tell all" was farcical since the "tough chick" could not handle the truth when presented with it. Which is she, a chick-with-a-**** law enforcer or a rigidly moralistic do-gooder who witnessed drugista ruthlessness but could not take them down? I found greater sympatico with the actual hit man than the cardboard cutout female FBI agent.… Expand

6 of 13 users found this helpful67

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5

JamesLOct 4, 2015

A one dimensional , pointless film propped up by gratuitous violence instead of a solid plot. I have seen this story told a million times before but in so many better ways. Del Toro has played this role has million times before. It was reallyA one dimensional , pointless film propped up by gratuitous violence instead of a solid plot. I have seen this story told a million times before but in so many better ways. Del Toro has played this role has million times before. It was really rather boring and predictable.… Expand

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

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5

shellviewFeb 8, 2016

I found "Sicario" disappointing. Although there were many tense, thrilling scenes the movie did not have a flow. The story was hard to follow to its ending. It was a raging sexist movie hiding behind its lead character. Emily Blunt'sI found "Sicario" disappointing. Although there were many tense, thrilling scenes the movie did not have a flow. The story was hard to follow to its ending. It was a raging sexist movie hiding behind its lead character. Emily Blunt's character had casual sex out of loneliness and cried at the most girlie of times not something a male lead would do. She was also chastised by her partner for not taking care of her appearance...really? A man would have said "You should smell my pits". I think the supporting cast did a great job that outshone Blunt in every scene. The constant droning music lost its effectiveness through so much over use. "Sicario" was just a slicker version of the American TV show "The Bridge". All in all a big disappointment.… Expand