Steven Spielberg can do no wrong

Rating: 8/10 (2 February 2007)

Steven Spielberg's latest offering, Munich, delves into the story following the events of the massacre at the 1972 Olympics ,in which an Israeli, Jewish hit squad set out to gain vengeance for the atrocity. Controversial, politically incorrect, supremely biased and misunderstood. This is just some of the criticism Spielberg has had to endure, but I for one have embraced Munich as a truly harrowing and mesmerising piece of cinema. Expectedly, it has provoked a substantial amount of controversy. Spielberg has been slammed by the Israeli Government for creating similarities between the terrorists and the counter terrorists for example, in one particular scene, the Israeli hit squad must reluctantly share accommodation with members of the P.L.O. Weapons are drawn swiftly and panic ensues, however, violence is averted when they learn no threat is present. Following this, the protagonist ( Eric Bana ) and a member of the P.L.O share cigarettes and discuss politics. It suddenly struck me when I watched this. The two men were astonishingly similar. They're both fighting for freedom in their country and they would inevitably have to face death in order to achieve their happiness. Two men who have to kill or be killed.
It is interesting to know that Spielberg himself is a Jew. This was obviously a hugely significant factor in the making of this film. Spielberg wanted us, the audience, to experience the physical and mental torture the athletes themselves had to endure and to do that, he creates a surreal, realistic and graphic dramatisation of the callous abuse the athletes suffered. Spielberg doesn't attempt to portray the Palestinians as sombre characters with inhumane qualities, and for this, he has been criticised severely, and has been charged for "humanising demons" by many of his Jew counterparts.
I see several comparisons between Munich and another project of Spielbergs, Schindler's List. Both films contain scenes of torture of Jews and share several comparisons in terms of Spielbergs cinematography. Spielberg uses dark images, numerous silhouettes on important characters and insidious nuances e.g. the ghostly appearance of the Twin Towers which haunts the final scene and reminds us of the more devastating terror to come, and of course the only use of colour in Schindler's List which is the bright red coat of the dead Jewish girl. However, Schindler's List is superior in my view mainly because of it's sheer realism and exceptional direction.
Eric Bana, who plays Avner, delivers a promising and convincing performance as the leader of his platoon of assassins. Avner and his colleagues go through a process of moral transformation during the course of the film, after all, they're just ordinary human beings, lacking the experience of trained hit men. Bana's character is explored more vividly than his counterparts and this remains one of the films negative attributes. The rest are blatantly one dimensional, no emotions conveyed, no depth or context. Steve ( Daniel Craig ) however, is given more characterisation than the rest of the group, besides Avner of course. He's the most ruthless of the pack, showing little or no moral disconcerns and provokes unnecessary tension in the group. Also, I would like to have learned and explored more aspects of the Irish actor's character, Ciarán Hinds, who in my view wasn't given enough screen time. Special mention should also go to Michael Lonsdale who plays the Israeli's mysterious information provider. A fine performance from an experienced actor.
Filled with superb shock effects, convincing performances and hidden political messages, Munich is an exceptional thriller which will no doubt lead to controversy, but as a 16 year old who enjoyed it, it makes no difference to me.......