This stunningly captured thriller is one of 2015's best

Rating: 8/10 (27 January 2016)

If you've got nails before watching Sicario you certainly won't have after it, for this beautifully lensed and tension riddled Mexican cartel themed thriller is a nail-biting experience of a high order that from its explosive opening through to breathtaking night time finale will have you very much on the edge of your seat even if you don't know exactly what's happening or even care much for our main protagonists.
The 4th film on the trot that has quickly established French/Canadian director Denis Villeneuve as one of the inform directors of Hollywood – his previous films where the incredible Incendies (please anyone that has yet to see this film do so now), Enemy and Prisoners – Sicario once more showcases the directors visual sensibilities and skill with creating an intensely crafted narrative and while Sicario may fall short on emotional sensibilities it's very likely it was another part of the reason why Villeneuve has been chosen to helm the soon to be shot Blade Runner sequel.
The lack of emotion that runs through Sicario, from its characters through to its cold as ice handling of life and death, is likely a long thought about process that falls hand in hand into the way in which even our central character of Emily Blunt's dedicated and by the book FBI Agent Kate Macer is thrown into a world she knows far less about than she'd ever have thought and how the essence of her mission directives remain clouded by a murky world of politics and dastardly deeds.
Viewers feel a sense of being overwhelmed much like Macer herself feels but through this quick-fire and often frenetic journey we get treated to a haunting Johann Johannsson score, some amazing scenery and sequences shot by legendary D.O.P Roger Deakin's (who in any other year not against The Revenant would've finally had his long overdue Oscar) and a Benicio Del Toro performance that can count itself very unlucky to have missed out on some more awards attention. It's a great reminder of Del Toro's talents and the arc of his mysterious character Alejandro is one that elevates the film whenever his on screen.
Sicario is easily one of 2015's most accomplished thrillers and an uncompromising look at how the drama playing out daily in Mexico through its illegal activities is steadily finding its way into the land of America whether the nation acknowledges it or not. Cold as ice but on fire in many departments, Sicario is sleek Hollywood movie making and another win for director Denis Villeneuve in what's quickly and assuredly becoming quite the career behind camera.
4 interrupted family dinners out of 5