Stirring Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (22 August 2006)

Director Steven Spielberg has wowed us with many outstanding films over the past three decades, including: Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, Jaws, Schindler's List, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Saving Private Ryan, The Indiana Jones Trilogy, Jurassic Park, Color Purple, War of the Worlds, Amistad, Minority Report, and Always. Something he has proved time and time again is ability in diversity, creativity, and infusing that with great storytelling and compelling film-making. Spielberg has always had a passion and respect for the medium of film, and his latest film MUNICH is a shining example of what he can create, surely one of my favorite Spielberg films of all time. Based on the George Jones book 'Vengeance,' this film is historically inspired and Spielberg researched this story thoroughly before bringing it to the screen. Before dawn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, the Israeli wrestling team was taken hostage at gunpoint and killed by a group of Palestinians. This movie tells the story of what happened next: the covert operation to track down all the people involved in the killing of the Israelis, and the pros and cons associated with that violent retribution. Five men with different skills ranging from bomb making, to forging, hunt the assassins down one-by-one. Avner (Eric Bana), the leader, has a wife and a newborn child, and takes his commissioned job which leads him around the world, with a solemn duty. The line is blurred as they get deeper into the operation, the trail leading them to various locales, where they have to watch their step as they soon too become hunted. They must constantly look over their shoulders for the CIA, KGB, PLO, among others. I will note that Daniel Craig, the new James Bond, plays Steve, one of the four men in the operation, and Craig does a great job in this film as the trigger-man. Spielberg is one of the greatest directors working today. Many who receive that moniker do not truly deserve the esteemed repute, but Spielberg earns it again and again. This versatile director is not overrated, but genuinely one of the best. In presenting the subject matter Spielberg does it with much conviction. Not aligning with one side or the other, but looking at it in an unsettlingly mesmerizing and unflinching way. I admire him for doing that. It may have been far easier for a lesser director to side with one position, and paint a certain stance, but then that would taint the reality of this film, watering down the power that results in this film, because of Spielberg. He shows great empathy towards these human characters that we follow and care about. "I wanted to highlight the issues  not answer them, but open them for discussion," said Spielberg. Munich is a rare gem, and I would characterize it as a masterpiece. Many moments I sat perched on the edge of my seat in suspense at what would happen next! Pulse-racing scenes where nothing is contrived. John Williams scores the music, as he has so many other Spielberg films, such as Indiana Jones, E.T., Schindler's List, just to name a few. Williams brings real emotion and edge to the music that backs this amazing film. Eric Bana embodies his character, making him completely relatable and human. I notice he is getting much deserved notice as an actor now, thanks in part to his role in Munich. This film was nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Director (Spielberg), and Best Picture of the Year. Munich also stars Geoffrey Rush (Shine, Pirates of the Caribbean). This film is rated R.