Sicario sets the bar very high for tense thrillers.

Rating: 9/10 (4 October 2015)

Simply calling Sicario a tense thriller would not be doing it justice. This is a film firing on all cylinders.
Don't misunderstand, this movie is as tense as they get. From the very first shot Director Denis Villeneuve grips you in the palm of his hands, walking you through the craziness of the war on drugs at the U.S. and Mexico border. Emily Blunt is our eyes and ears throughout the film as an idealistic FBI agent thrown into a world she thought she understood until the truth is slowly revealed, layer by layer. Her and her partner take part in confidential operations across the border and are constantly left in the dark, never knowing what their objective is and who they can really trust. As incredible as Blunt is in the film, it's her co-stars who almost steal the show. Josh Brolin paints a character who is disconcertingly casual in his demeanor which provides some humorous moments, but its Benicio Del Toro who will "wow" you. Del Toro commands the screen playing a man who is almost wolf-like, dangerous and clouded in mystery. I wouldn't be surprised if Del Toro receives a nomination for his work and would love to see nominations given to almost everyone involved with Sicario. It's that good. Director Denis Villeneuve is never heavy-handed in his approach to the material and with the help of legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, the images created are stunning and the action set-pieces expertly crafted.
Thanks to amazing performances, masterful direction, and beautiful cinematography, Sicario is a visceral experience that will open your eyes to the brutality of the war on drugs.