Rating of
3/4
Munich review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 10/24/11
Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana), an Israeli-born Mossad agent was tasked to lead a group to assassinate the perpetrators of the violent incident in events of 1972 Munich Olympics. He is aided by Steve (Daniel Craig), a driver; Hans (Hanns Zischler), a forger; Robert (Mathieu Kassovitz), a Belgian toy-maker trained in defusing explosives; and Carl (Ciarán Hinds), a former Israeli soldier who never leaves evidence after the assassinations. Avner’s team has 11 targets with the help of an informant who gives the whereabouts and names, Louis (Mathieu Amalric). Some nice lines from the film: Anver – “You are the only home I ever had.” Papa – “The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong but time and chance happens to them all. Evil falls suddenly, who can say when it falls?” Carl – “You think you can outrun your fears, your doubts. The only thing that really scares you guys is stillness.”
Actual news clips were utilized and the athletes being shot were accurately displayed despite a few historical accuracies. I really en joyed the numerous cut scenes used by Spielberg and the performances were so authentic. The only qualm I had was the reason for each of his team’s demise, the source and his dreams during his love making sequence where he imagines the massacre of hostages when he wasn’t even present. The action and pace of the film never falters and its symbol of respect between different nations, importance of family/upbringing and loyalty is depicted. Munich is film that makes you realize why there are conflicts, how people can be paranoid in their nature of work and shows how gruesome violence and vengeance can be.
