Syriana (2005) Reviews
- Starring:
- George Clooney, Matt Damon, (more)
- Director(s):
- Stephen Gaghan
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful An interesting beginning for a movie that becomes more and more muddled as the "plot "evolves. Lots of political statements, mid-East conflicts, greedy oil companies, but not a lot of clues as to ... Read More An interesting beginning for a movie that becomes more and more muddled as the "plot "evolves. Lots of political statements, mid-East conflicts, greedy oil companies, but not a lot of clues as to who is doing what and how it all connects. Would not recommend if interested in action-packed, who dunnit. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
11 out of 15 people found this review helpful We must have stopped this movie a dozen times to rewatch various scenes. We even turned on the captions. It was way too complicated and hard to follow, yet not very suspenseful. It also contained ... Read More We must have stopped this movie a dozen times to rewatch various scenes. We even turned on the captions. It was way too complicated and hard to follow, yet not very suspenseful. It also contained an extremely disturbing torture scene. Basically, a disappointment. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful How refreshing to have a political thriller that doesn't slow down the action with unnecessary exposition for casual filmgoers! This movie in an ensemble cast to die for, which is funny since George ... Read More How refreshing to have a political thriller that doesn't slow down the action with unnecessary exposition for casual filmgoers! This movie in an ensemble cast to die for, which is funny since George Clooney already has another franchise with good ensemble work already (Ocean, anyone?). The movie centers around oil worldwide, and the scheming, dealing, and even murder that has to occur to keep gas cheap here in America. I'm sure it opened some eyes, especially with the subplot of how terrorists are developed. Give it a chance, but unplug the phone, internet, and any other distraction before you do. You'll need all the attention you have. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful I'm sure this movie must have started out with a good script because the movie has a great cast, but as to the finished product all I can say is what a mess. It's as though the editors turned the job ... Read More I'm sure this movie must have started out with a good script because the movie has a great cast, but as to the finished product all I can say is what a mess. It's as though the editors turned the job over to a chimpanzee. There's very little continuity to the story and it's as though anything that made the story have any continuity has been cut out. There's lots of unnecessary chit chat like hows the wife Bob?, fine, hows the kids?, fine, do you still have your cat, and on and on like that. And there's lots of characters not just Bob with this kind of dialog. I saw this movie at a theater when it came out. I thought maybe? the problem I had with this movie was too many fast moving subtitles. I know I walked out wondering what the heck was that movie about. So after viewing the movie again at home, I can say that wasn't the problem. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
4 out of 8 people found this review helpful Sometimes hard to follow but a well done movie that keeps your interest as to what will happen next and to whom. Allstar cast and a very current topic make this a movie well worth seeing. Not a ... Read More Sometimes hard to follow but a well done movie that keeps your interest as to what will happen next and to whom. Allstar cast and a very current topic make this a movie well worth seeing. Not a feel good flick by any means. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
7 out of 14 people found this review helpful I am one of those people who never trust reviews..nor am I a cinema art film snob
but trust me ...this "film" was like watching the creative efforts of a dysfunctional brain
Think Michelangelo ... Read More I am one of those people who never trust reviews..nor am I a cinema art film snob
but trust me ...this "film" was like watching the creative efforts of a dysfunctional brain
Think Michelangelo Antonioni ...but on crack
You would be far better off without this film in your life. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 8 people found this review helpful Hard to follow..... some characters are not defined enough. Beware---the disc that was sent to me was scratched at the end making it even more difficult to follow. A big yawn even though there were ... Read More Hard to follow..... some characters are not defined enough. Beware---the disc that was sent to me was scratched at the end making it even more difficult to follow. A big yawn even though there were big names in the cast. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 9 people found this review helpful This is a fast-paced, somewhat complex story that weaves the insidious interests of big oil, government and the plausible "causes" of terrorism. Kudos to George Clooney, Matt Damon, et al for ... Read More This is a fast-paced, somewhat complex story that weaves the insidious interests of big oil, government and the plausible "causes" of terrorism. Kudos to George Clooney, Matt Damon, et al for sticking their necks out in making such a gutsy film. The torture scene did not need to be so graphic - yuck. I hope a lot of people take the time to watch this film and digest the impact our oil addiction is having on the world - and the ricochet effects on other peoples and cultures. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 9 people found this review helpful This movie held my interest though out the whole story. Yes it is a talk fest through out. With some action thrown in. But I think anyone that rents this is looking for a good story. And not some ... Read More This movie held my interest though out the whole story. Yes it is a talk fest through out. With some action thrown in. But I think anyone that rents this is looking for a good story. And not some action flick. There are a lot of fine actors in this movie also other the George Clooney or Matt Damon. If your looking for a good story movie with little action this is a must rent. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
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