A film that questions the morality of violence.

Rating: 9/10 (5 January 2006)

After viewing this film, I have come to a conclusion: This is hands down on of the best films of the year and on of Spielberg's finest to date (including the remake of War of the Worlds). Upon hearing about this film, I had low expectations. I thought it was another plot-less, conventional, over-the-top, special effects movie with more flash than substance. Clearly, I was wrong. Not only is this a action thriller, but it is also well written, thought provoking, and well acting with great performances from the actors themselves. It is a story that grabs you and never lets go and the action doesn't let up until the very end. The action scenes are very well choreographed with no fancy moves that action films have. From the use of bombs to kill the perpetrators to a thrilling and exciting gun battle in Pakistan, the film has a strong sense of danger and tension on an epic scale. The political machinations of the Mossad agency gives the film a real sense of depth as the plans set in motion clearly describe.
However, beneath the film's quality aspects lies a message about the nature of violence. The Mossad agent (Bana, The Hulk) wants to kill the ones responsible for the killing of the Israeli athletes and does so with extreme prejudice. Soon, as the film goes on, he begins to doubt the nature of his actions and is about to give up. The real question boils down to one conclusion: Violence begets more violence. There really is no solution as far as world conflicts is concerned. This film sends a strong message about vengeance and its tragic and horrific results by those who believe in a "eye for an eye". Even in the war on terrorism, this message hints at the conflict in Iraq. Just because America ousted Saddam Hussein from power does not mean that the conflict in the Middle East isn't going to go away. Sadly, it is America and as well as the world, that does not realize that fact.
Truly, a action thriller with brains and heart. Worth seeing at the box office.