A couple of weeks ago I saw “Green Zone” in the cinema. I barely heard anything about this film – only that Matt Damon plays the main character and that it was directed by the same guy who did some of the Bourne trilogy – but even that was enough. I wanted to go.
First things first. This film is not like the Bourne trilogy. There are a few moments that bring back the memories, but overall it is a totally different film. The subject is different, the characters are different, the way it was shot is different. Second things second. I enjoyed this movie. As most other Hollywood-made war-related movies it had its share of propaganda, but once I switch on the propaganda filter, there was plenty to enjoy.
Matt Damon acting was awesome as always. He is very natural and very, how should I put it, believable. It is often easy to relate to his characters just because of his acting, and this film is not an exception. The visual content of the film was interesting. While I am not a big fan of handhold shaking camera effect, it works for this film. And gladly not the whole film is shot this way – only the scenes where it adds to the atmosphere.
There was plenty of background work in this film – scenery, decorations, costumes, routine, etc. One of the common ways to avoid this work in a war movie is to switch between a command bunker or Washington office and a blind darkness of the jungle, or something like that. In this film everything is happening in the war zone and story switches between neutral and hostile areas. This creates a nice feeling of being there.
Now, to the important part. The story. While, as I said, it holds plenty of propaganda, I still liked it. At least it attempted to show things from a different angle and explain how things go wrong and what it takes to make them right. There is something to think about and even know, a couple of weeks later, I find myself rethinking parts of the movie. I do want to see it again and probably I will once I get my hands on the DVD.
Overall, a good film. Recommended. 4 out of 5.