Syriana comes with a political warning label. While the movie does very well at staying politically neutral, if you\'re not into politics, just run away. It is important to understand this is a fictional movie based on the political non-fiction book \"See No Evil\" written by Robert Baer in 2002.
The movie follows many storylines, so prepare to sit still for two hours. It\'s amazing that so much can be packed in a single movie. Not only was it very diverse, but every storyline was directly connected. Putting aside one\'s views of good and evil is a must. Every character believes that they are on the right side, and every viewpoint has a conflicting perspective.
The acting was top notch. Every actor nailed his or her role. Even if one is not a fan of the big Hollywood names, there is no denying they did an excellent job. Seeing George Clooney\'s fingernails ripped out might even give some \"unique\" people a reason to smile. That\'s just a taste of what\'s in store. Not one character was shown with bias, which could only be accomplished with superb acting.
Those that can handle the blazing fast tempo will be pleasantly surprised. All the puzzle pieces of the story fit precisely, so if a person is able to keep their attention focused; it\'s not difficult to follow. While the pace will bother some people, most shouldn\'t mind. Just be ready to think quickly.
While the special effects were nothing spectacular, one can\'t complain. This movie is meant to mimic real life, and it succeeds. Explosions are kept low key, but are still effective. Death scenes are not overly dramatic. What little is done is supposed to blend in seamlessly. The special effects department gets a thank you for \"keeping it real.\" All of the sound effects were perfect as well. The soundtracks were used sparingly, and blend into the scene.
There really isn\'t anything to complain about. Most people are going to shy away from this film anyway. There are some things, no mater how well done, that just won\'t appeal to the masses. The viewer has to keep up, think quickly, and be politically minded to get the full effect. If an individual hates critical thinking, goes to the movies to relax and shut down, or despises politics, he or she should avoid this film.
Having never read the book, comparing the movie to the book isn\'t an option. It can be assumed that the objectives of both were the same. And the movie definitely got its point across. While one could wait for the movie to come out on DVD, it\'s best to see it in the theater. Not because of the superior picture or sound, but for the lack of distractions. If you have any interest in seeing the film, go see it. You won\'t be disappointed.
"Syriana" opens December 9, 2005 and is rated R. Drama. Directed by Stephen Gaghan. Written by Robert Baer, Stephen Gaghan . Starring Amanda Peet, Chris Cooper, Christopher Plummer, George Clooney, Jeffrey Wright, Matt Damon, Kayvan Novak, Amr Waked.
