If “Jaws” made you think twice about going in the water, “Eagle Eye” hopes to give you pause when you dial up your cell phone.
Let’s just end the movie comparisons right there.
“Eagle Eye” is a terminally silly story about an innocent man (Shia LaBeouf) framed as a terrorist. Never mind that LaBeouf doesn’t look old enough to buy a Coors Light.
The “Transformers” star plays Jerry, a scruffy slacker without a nickel to his name. So he’s puzzled when an ATM starts spitting out money from his anemic account.
Turns out he’s being framed, and a series of mysterious phone calls is instructing him how to stay ahead of the FBI agents suddenly on his trail.
A similar fate befalls Rachel (Michelle Monaghan), a single mom also on the receiving end of those bizarre calls.
Whoever is pulling their strings has access to not just their cell phones but virtually every electronic device around them. When Jerry races to a rooftop to elude the FBI, an electronic placard says “Jump!”
It’s as silly as the highway signs that “talk” to Steve Martin in “L.A. Story.” But that film was supposed to be a comedy.
Billy Bob Thornton shows up occasionally as an FBI agent armed with the film’s best lines, but he isn’t on screen enough to truly impact the story.
“Eagle Eye” wants to be a cautionary tale of how technology impacts our privacy, but it’s a far more effective as a warning against making movies that don’t make a lick of sense.
(Photo: Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan are being chased by the FBI in paranoid thriller “Eagle Eye.”)
ALSO CHECK OUT:
Haiku movie review: “Eagle Eye”

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Dimitrios 09.26.08 at 3:25 pm
When was the last time Hollywood released a film, set in the modern age, that had anything to do with computers and technology that was even plausible? That even had a hint or smelled like it was plausible?
I think the last movie that I enjoyed, that was set in the modern age, that had anything to do with computers and technology was Sneakers, but then again I was a total Liberal at the time.
Chase 09.26.08 at 3:35 pm
Want … To … Play … A … Game?
…. and hey! No jabs at L.A. Story, a great movie!
Dimitrios 09.26.08 at 4:34 pm
While I have fond memories of Wargames it was beyond the pale unplausible (is that really a word) and I have to agree LA Story is one of my all time favorite movies. It is no great achievment, but damn if I don’t have a smile on my face the entire time I watch the movie. They had me hooked at the freeway shooting scene.
cftoto 09.26.08 at 6:22 pm
Technology is the double edged sword — opening up new story possibilities while leaving all sorts of traps for screenwriters to fall into.
dimitrios 09.28.08 at 4:55 pm
I just read a spoilerific discussion of this film and my continued disgust with Hollywood and technology continues.
I think the worst thing that ever happened is the success of Star Trek, because in one fell swoop they gave us the tech can solve anything and if you find that you have written yourself into a corner just use a technological deus ex machina to get you out of a jam.
Greg 10.05.08 at 4:34 am
I agree that the point of the movie is ridiculous given the fact that the plot is absurd. But like all thrillers this is a movie about entertainment and on the edge of your seat excitement. The fun isn’t in the destination but the ride. If you couldn’t suspend your disbelief for the sake of the movie just as you would watching any other sci-fi movie, that’s unfortunate for you. Anyone who simply suspends disbelief (esp. before they reveal what the voice is coming from) will enjoy an exciting movie with a lot of interesting twists and turns.
I hate that movie reviewers no longer inform people whether a movie is enjoyable. They decide whether it conforms to the standards of their high society clique where everyone repeats the same things to eachother over and over and commends movies that are dull and incoherent enough that they can discuss them endlessly.
This movie will not be a good topic in film class. It is a fantastic movie if you are looking for $10 of entertainment.
cftoto 10.05.08 at 4:45 am
Greg,
Thanks for thoughts on the movie … and my review. I’m usually ready, willing and able to suspend disbelief for a movie, but the movie has to meet me halfway. And even if I swallowed the premise, I wasn’t engaged by the characters enough to enjoy the ride.
The film “Cellular” comes to mind. Pretty ridiculous stuff, but the movie’s spirit is infectious and it features a few enjoyable actors to root for.