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EAGLE EYE (Running Time: 116 min; Rated: PG-13)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

“EAGLE EYE”, GUARANTEED TO CAPTIVATE

Somewhat reminiscent of “2001: Space Odyssey”, EAGLE EYE examines how technology can harm or protect the master it serves. Fast-paced and action-packed “Big Brother”-themed EAGLE EYE may have been science fiction in conception, but, due to the accelerated rapid growth of technology, had become a terrifyingly, convincing reality film by its completion.

We’re either personally holding close, or are surrounded by, cell phones, GPS devices global positioning systems, ATMs, computers, home security units, close-circuit TVs, traffic cams, magnetic strips on credit cards, buyers’ clubs, IDs and licenses. This ubiquitous technology can skillfully track our location and gather our information every minute of our lives.

But, like the story’s characters, there’s little time to contemplate the impact of these invasive devices, as we enter into such intense situations that barely allows one to catch their breath.

A young, obstinate underachiever, Jerry Shaw (SHIA LABEOUF) and overwrought, single mom, Rachel Holloman (MICHELLE MONAGHAN) are taken out of their everyday lives and forcibly manipulated into a series of dangerous and illegal actions dictated through computer-generated cell phone calls and other forms of electronic messaging. As they are guided to fulfill a mystifying mission related to national security, Jerry and Rachel must outrun an assortment of governmental law agencies that lead to spectacular car chases, crashes and other death-defying maneuvers.

Executive producer Steven Spielberg originally conceived the idea for “Eagle Eye”, and had planned to direct. Instead, after seeing the rough cut of D.J. Caruso’s film DISTURBIA (also starring LaBeouf), Spielberg brought the script to Caruso, and encouraged the filmmaker to make the film his own.

Starring, along with Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, are Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie and Billy Bob Thornton.

Directed by D.J. Caruso. Story by Dan McDermott. Screenplay by John Glenn and Travis Adam Wright and Hillary Seitz and Dan McDermott. Produced by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Patrick Crowley. Executive producers are Steven Spielberg and Edward L. McDonnell. Cinematography by Dariusz Wolski, ASC. Production design by Tom Sanders. Edited by Jim Page. Visual Effects supervised by Jim Rygiel. Distributed by DreamWorks Pictures.