Syriana

Review 1 of 16

jagz707 writes:

4of 4 Stars

I was cautious about renting this movie after the mixed reviews. But I'm glad I did. It exposes the relationships between Whitehouse administrations (part and present) and the corrupt rulers and despots of the Middle East and I was quite surprised by the movie's honesty in discussing the issue.

Its beautifully shot with good ensemble acting. Red neck Americans are not going to enjoy this movie. It doesn't have a hero, there are no punchlines and there aren't any breasts.

The movie is about giving the audience an indication of what else is going on behind the scenes. Stuff that CNN and Fox would vehemntly deny, as would Dick Cheney and gang.

Aug 13, 2006 13:56:32

Review 2 of 16

Broad writes:

2of 4 Stars

If only somehow one could miraculously disentangle the drip-
feed of quasi-fictional geopolitical gobbledygook and confusion
of multiple parallel story threads… but miracles might happen
as the film has an Oscar nomination for best screenplay. That's
some miracle.

Feb 10, 2006 16:37:32

Review 3 of 16

Berenator writes:

4of 4 Stars

Although I did not understand it fully, I thought this movie was excellent. It is definetely not a movie for those who are looking to be 'entertained' or have a good time. This movie is thought-provoking!

Jan 1, 2006 20:39:57

Review 4 of 16

George writes:

1of 4 Stars

Yes, it is a complex issue but the disjointed way the story evolved...and the faddish directing...only served to confuse the viewer and distract from that complexity. The subtle (anti-Bush) political statement was inappropriate, and the premise was little more than stated rather than developed. Considering the extensive personal research and experience that went into this movie I expected something worthwhile and coherent. It was neither. I only wish you had a zero star category; even one star is too good for it. Don't waste your money on this one!

Dec 28, 2005 12:20:36

Review 5 of 16

justiceusax2000 writes:

4of 4 Stars

To all people who do not understand the movie or found it too hard to follow, wake up this is not a movie about entertainment and action. This is a movie about the world and normal everyday Americans need stop sleeping and wake up.... For the USA to remain a world power its citizens must know what the heck is going on in the world. To all those reviewers who say that they found the movie boring, then go see King Kong ....it is very sad but that is why the rest of the world makes fun of the Americans and their seeming ignorance about history.....great movie a real eye-opener to the public about how things work and exist in the oil-world and middle east and USA......

If anyone thinks this movie is just liberal BS they are ill informed. I'm involved in the energy & Intel biz. I also operate in the Middle East. This movie is as close as u can get to what the real story is w/o naming names. There are some mistakes like using wrong dialects especially in Hezbollah scenes. Scenes wr not in Lebanon ... But these are minor this is the closest thing prfsnly I have ever seen to the truth.

People that think this is anti American are just blind ... The world is a rough & dangerous place. Everyone has to play the game and if the USA doesn’t it loses to China, Russia and Iran amongst MANY others. As disturbing as this is ... This is the real world & MANY patriotic people pay a heavy price for everyday Americans to continue living in peace.

Dec 27, 2005 10:34:01

Review 6 of 16

minigeezermovieguy writes:

1of 4 Stars

All the education in the world couldn't help me from asking myself, halfway through this flick........ "Did I miss something here?" I just couldn't figure it all out. The subplots were more than I could digest. I suppose I'm not sophisticated enough to fully appreciate the fine acting. I just wanted to be entertained, not forced to become a part of world politics as it involves more than 5 characters all in one movie. On top of all that, the production quality reminded me of a B grade European spy film, made in a Scandinavian country on a shoestring budget. Sorry..... I missed the point. I just wanted a good spy thriller. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give it a 5 at best.

Dec 23, 2005 18:30:05

Review 7 of 16

catyellen writes:

3of 4 Stars

At the risk of shaking up the progressive and altruistic
consensus of "Syriana", though a well-needed dose of
preaching to the left choir here, this beautifully shot, ethereal
film, right along side of it's greatness, left me just slightly
cold. It may have been because I expected something else. If
that's the case, then Syriana is perhaps something radically
bigger, deeper and better than I even realize.
Of course, the timing of the film's release is perfect. Of
course, our recent political climate of massive global boogie-
corp takeovers, dirty back-slapping, wink-twinky, fatcat oil
mongers could not beckon a more grave matter for
discussion. But if it's an entertaining straight-up story you
want, you may be left frustrated. Oh, and you'd better not
blink. Not once.
Now, I want as many movies, fiction or non, exposing
corporate greed, slimy U.S. policy and corruption in our
government as we can get out there.. But, I want them to
show it at the Main Street movie theater in Elk City,
Oklahoma., Or in Lusk, Wyoming. And maybe Moscow,
Idaho....and so on.
So, aside of high art, intellectual challenge and progressive,
radical intrigue, "Syriana" is, after all, a movie. And, in a
movie, I need to sink my teeth into someone's, anyone's
shoulder. I need to know enough about someone to care
whether their head blows off, their kid dies, or why it is, they
just happen to have an odd missile handy. For me, Syriana
overflows with people and deeds, all just a bit devoid of
history and personality.
I must say, the build-up of this film is an almost hypnotic
menagerie of ubiquitous fragments, faces, music, words,
constantly mounting, layers upon layers.. It really is most
arresting, even intoxicating.
But somewhere, even as late as halfway through most films,
I've put down at least half my gathered "pieces" on the board,
honed the recognizable sections of it, seasoned, arranged and
rearranged pictures in my own special order. They will all
faithfully come together somehow, in a meaningful way. And,
I care deeply for at least one of them. That did happen
eventually, (more in retrospect I'd say,) However; this film was
still flinging new faces at me 15 minutes before it was over. I
admit, I panicked. A little too much to digest, and too little
time to pine for it. I didn't really know anybody. I do need a
bit of that, or at least up until this film I did. I was purely a
bystander,teeth in mouth.
This is not to say that Syriana is not a wonderfully unique
and tremendous tackle of an intricate, massive and horrifying
state of affairs. In fact, it is just that; Much more than a story.
More like a million snapshots, strung together with
informative backrounds for reiterating inspection and
detection. It is for us to cipher the information, to sift through
it and then, make the story. I agree with most, for even just
the imagary and fact at hand, it should be seen; In fact, it
must.
But if you're anything like me, you may do well to go home
afterwards, make some over-buttered popcorn and throw
your old VHS of "Wuthering Heights" in the machine. It's just
that for myself, after "Syriana', I felt a distinct need to chomp
on some well-earned blood and guts. I will however, have a
face right in mine, next time I fill up my Toyota 4-Runner.

Dec 22, 2005 08:37:46

Review 8 of 16

bibi writes:

4of 4 Stars

Finally a movie that does not assume that America is full of simpletons and short attention span individuals. This is a movie which is presents a complicated issue in a deserving complicated way. You need to pay attention.. its no thrill ride... but the seriousness of the issue renders it that level of respect.... THANK YOU HOLLYWOOD FOR NOT GOING FOR THE SENSATIONAL ASPECT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

Dec 16, 2005 23:00:10