Green Zone [Blu-ray] [Region

The combo of Damon (actor) and Greengrass (director) comes up with a good thriller/war film but not one of those stunning must watch again films in my view. Even the best of the 'Bourne' films was the first, '..... Identity' directed by Doug Liman not Greengrass, so I see this as a 'comfortable' collaboration between the two who obviously know how to deliver a good thriller spiced with action and with Greengrass' trade mark gritty photography and moving camerawork that gives an action film that certain feel. Nothing looks stage bound with this work, clever cinematography that brings alive the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq and certainly reminded me of the news footage of the time, 2003.Matt Damon is solid without being outstanding. He's not playing Jason Bourne so fair enough. But he holds everything together and Greengrass allows Damon the central role that he did in his 'Bourne' partnership with nobody else allowed much of a look in which is a shame as Brendan Gleeson could have run away with the film had his role been expanded. I could say the same for the bad guys played by Greg Kinnear and Jason Isaacs but they too were not allowed expansion of their characters ---- only my humble opinion but often a film benefits from a well rounded villain to counter the good guy with high moral values ---- Kinnear's corrupt warmonger and Isaacs' Special Forces killer were ideal to balance the plot but were fitfully used.110 minutes film duration, English subtitles for the hearing impaired, bonus features are very good.Not an anti-war film but certainly an anti-Iraqi War film. Weapons Of Mass Destruction (or the total absence of them) are at the centre of the plot. The film could so easily have been played as a political conspiracy but it veers into the action thriller genre. Certainly well worth a watch.

Really linked the movie.The fact it is so recent, and so many images are what we have seen of Iraq, like Sadam Airport, The Sword Arch etc etc on news-real really brings the action home.Never once did I loose the plot or wonder where the movie was taking me next, in other words it was not a comlex movie to follow (like some are these days). Another feature I liked was the fact I could actually hear the words the actors were saying, so many movies these days you sit and wonder "what did he just say".!! No a really good action movies....though of a USA perspective.This is a USA movie remember, no mention of any other nations supporting the invasion. I dont mind that. What gets me is...why dont we Brits make similar movies about the British forces in Iraq, there must be stories glore and the ability to generate millions of pounds in revenue also. We seem too proud, a great adventure, military action movie with a bith of James Bond thrown in would generate huge sums for the UK, come on let's get some UK action going!!!Colin.

If you really don't want to hear that America fought an illegal war based on falsified intel, I guess the plot will turn into unintelligible gibberish to keep you in your comfort zone. Its the only reason I can think of for all the people saying it was hard to understand what was going on. Personally I was marvelling at how close it was to the truth and looking it up was not surprised to learn it was adapted from an award winning non-fiction book by an embedded journalist.The film itself was fast paced and heavy with action. No surprise mentions of the Bourne series, other than the lead actor, the director and composer were from the Bourne team. It could well have been a prequel to the Bourne series if the timing had worked out.Bottom line is if you can handle the truth you won't be disappointed.

Given the news pre-release about budget over runs and the shredding it got from critics on release I was not expecting much but I find Damon one of the more interesting actors around in Hollywood currently, so bought the DVD.Enough has been stated in other reviews about the script - its lack of characterization of the main parts and a pretty foreseeable if inconclusive end - but it does have one thing going for it which it it imparts better than any other film I have seen on Iraq the sheer mess post invasion that developed and was depicted well in the better written books covering that period especially "Assassin's Gate". The early stages of over reaction and naivete in US handling of the Iraqi populace and trying to control its politics for US ends show how the seeds of future issues of Abu Ghraib prison and the ongoing conflict were sown.Many have commented on the endless jump action and the related camera problems but in reality this does not hit you as a general viewer that much and for me even added to the whole hubris of the situation being depicted. What does defeat me is the US government villains plot and who can you trust scenario - that a soldier in Damon's role and position would be left to roam around and interfere as he did seems the most ludicrous part alongside an Iraqi dissident who seems to have seven lives as he teams up with Damon.A bit more time in pre-shoot script preparation or maybe even stopping later post production re-writing of the story and this might have been a great film!

I really enjoyed this film - I did not know what was going to happen and so it keep be glued to the screen. It was action packed. I saw it at the cinema and then bought it to watch again.It is about American soldiers trying to find Weapons of Mass Destruction and the intrigues and manoeuvrings of Iraqi and US politicians.When it was released it was about the time of the Hurt Locker which won Oscars - I watched this as well on DVD and hated it - The Green Zone is much much better.Because it portrays the search for Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Iraq war in a negative light I think this is why it did not go down well with American audiences (from the reviews I have read) - I think it was received better in the UK.I certainly will watch it again many times.