An excellent retelling that does its job.

Rating: 9/10 (21 December 2005)

The war on terror, especially when it comes to Israel, is a war of ideologies, and most people align themselves with one or another based on the information they receive or the religion they subscribe to. The reality of it, though, is the reality of every controversial topic--there's merit to both sides, and that's why there's controversy. Steven Spielberg's latest film, a huge step away from his morally comfortable fables, forces us to face the depth of the conflict, and of revenge and killing in general. Anyone seeking validation for their partisan views won't find it. Munich leaves viewers at a loss, and this is why it succeeds.
Munich tells the true story of a team of Israeli agents assigned to kill the Palestinians responsible for the 1972 massacre of 11 Israeli Olympic athletes. Aside from Tony Kushner and Eric Roth's rich and complex screenplay, Janusz Kaminski's gripping cinematography and the genuine, troubling performances of the cast are probably the film's most vital elements. Eric Bana is a strong, conflicted hero whose patriotism and doubts are reflected in his colleagues.
Despite the many characters and plot twists, it's a pretty simply told movie, and isn't hard to follow. Even though Spielberg has matured, he still delivers many of his usual powerful if contrived moments.
Munich is an excellent thriller, but don't expect a dazzling moral revelation or a neatly wrapped message. You won't get those things. Munich doesn't appeal to any political group. Rather, it stirs the doubt in all of us and forces us to face the humanity in everyone.