Skillfull filmmaking

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2016)

Sicario opens with a sense of dread that sustains itself for nearly the entirety of its running time - the cinematography, music, minimal dialogue and understated acting only adds to its effectiveness. I have seen each of Villeneuve's films since his first short -The Next Floor - and have watched him develop his style over time, and I think he has now delivered us his best film.
If there is one criticism I might have towards his films is that they do sometimes favor style over fully coherent or satisfying narratives and conclusions. His themes are bleak, and his characters often hopeless and desperate. There is very little light to be found, very little redemption. There is only a sustained horror, and a feeling of profound and captivating inevitability. That said, Sicario was a haunting picture, and stayed with me for days. The atmosphere of a film and how it resonates into your soul sometimes will trump narrative inconsistencies, and I think that is true for Sicario.
I can't wait to see his take on Blade Runner.