Powerful - Spielberg's Best

Rating: 9/10 (11 May 2006)

In recent years, "Spielbergian" has become a complaint about movies--movies that end too happily; films that focus only on the positive. But Spielberg has begun to change that, from Schindler's List to Minority Report to War of the Worlds, the director has gone darker than ever before, and we are the better for it.
Munich is the epitome of the new Spielberg. The movie pulls no punches--or explosion. It is at once a taut, exciting thriller, and an emotional, probing film that asks questions about the nature of violence, and the violent.
Historical accuracy aside, the story is mesmerizing. Tony Kushner's script is expectedly excellent, and he and Spielberg manage to create a convincing 1970's Israel and Europe.
Eric Bana gives a breakthrough performance in the movie, and he is well supported as well.
A somewhat heavy hand in the ending of the film detracts slightly from the excellent build-up to that point. In all, definitely worth seeing--and discussing afterward.