I had this movie on my watchlist for quite a while. The list of actors appealed to me but the story sounded too close to depressing reality to be entertaining.

Contrary to my expectations, this movie pulled me in right from the start. The technology used to spy, infiltrate, and destroy robotically is fascinating in itself. However, the movie focuses on the difficulties that individuals have dealing with the consequences of war.

Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman are excellent in their roles as military leaders trying to eliminate terrorists. They make clear the frustration that results from dealing with highly restrictive rules of engagement as well as bureaucrats who are afraid to make a decision. Aaron Paul also excels as the drone pilot assigned to carry out the mission.

This is an intense movie that makes the war on terrorists, as well as the consequences on the innocent, very real.

Solidly acted and directed. I got engaged with this movie very quickly and enjoyed where it took me, into the relatively unknown world of drone warfare. Drone warfare has allowed for more targeted, precision killing of a countries' enemy combatants but there is much controversy around its use.This film doesn't get into that controversy. It simply shows a situation that changes from "eye in the sky" surveillance using a Reaper Drone to launching Hellfire missiles from that same drone when the situation changes on the ground. The ethical, legal, and political wrangling that happens behind the scenes is fascinating and smacks of reality. The military brass have a sense of urgency about the mission while the political class is worried about appearances. But the people that really matter and that this movie takes pains to show are the low ranking enlisted personnel who actually pull the trigger on the Hellfire missles from a place of safety across the ocean, and the innocent people who end up being
collateral damage" around the target site. This is where the movie shines and gives the audience something to ponder.

I decided to watch Eye in the Sky for three reasons: 1. Alan Rickman [his last film] 2. Helen Mirren [always good] and 3. Free, with my Prime membership. I continued to watch because it turned out to be a marvelous film. Very relevant to current world events, and the differing points of view were represented in a balanced way. The need to take action against terrorist elements, and the ability to do so with our current technology, while at the same time illustrating that human, on-the-ground intelligence is necessary...and very dangerous. And even when there is a chance to strike a blow against this terror group, concern for the damage that will happen to ordinary, innocent people nearby. The dilemma is well illustrated and the aftermath shown. Also, as usual, politicians [this time British] are shown to be the typical hand-wringing, cover your own butt first, indecisive, kick the decision upstairs for someone else to make types that we have plenty of in the U.S. as well. This film is well worth your time!

This movie shows the human cost of war on All sides, those who are targeted, those who must make the decision to pursue that target and the innocent who are often caught in the crossfires. I applaud those who presented both sides with clarity and humanity as War is NOT a video game of "Good guys and Bad guys" as some reviewers comment but the killing of other HUMAN beings and Not ALL of them are bad people even with the best of intentions. Being born Outside of the Western hemisphere does not constitute "Evil" and being born within this hemisphere does not Imply "Goodness" instantaneously. The movie shows inside politics of war and its reality even when done with drones without being preachy or judgmental. The viewer is left to draw their own conclusion on how they feel about what was done.

Very interesting movie that examines the morality of drone strikes, and what kinds of risks we are willing to accept. I think this is meant to be a "real
look at these kinds of scenarios, which is what keeps the viewer in suspense. By which I mean it is obvious this is meant to be "gritty" and not shy away from hard truths or sad endings, but at the same time there's hope it does turn out all right. I think they kept a good balance between those two extremes through the whole movie. And the subject matter strikes fairly close to home. We hear about innocents being killed, so called collateral damage, in drone strikes far too often, and the way the Americans are portrayed as being (too) eager to pull the trigger, while annoying to me as an American, is hard to argue with. My final note is that I like the efforts the movie went through to make sure the military personnel are seen as people, with lives outside of their jobs, and that this operation was just one brief part of their life. When movies just show soldiers pulling a trigger it can be harder to connect with them, where watching the General go though a shelf of dolls for a present (presumably for his granddaughter?) reminds the viewer that soldiers are more than just triggermen. That's important, and too often ignored.

Spoilers: This is quite an intriguing film starring Helen Mirran and Alan Rickman as British officers in charge of setting up a drone strike on a terrorist target in Nairobi. The film focuses on the decisions that go into such a operation but those both military and political. The problem in calling the drone strike is weighing the risk of the death of one child as result of the strike versus taking out 2 armed suicide bombers along with two highly ranked members of a terrorist organization who would potentially kill 80 or more people in a suicide bombing. To me, what was the most disturbing in the film were the war room scenes where the witnessing civilian political morons were more concerned with covering their backsides and punting the final fire decision to someone else. While this did seem to be an Anti-War film, at least they didn't make the military appear as blood thirsty cold-hearted asses but real people who knew that hard decisions had to be made and that it was their job to follow orders regardless of their personal feelings. Especially tough were the closeup shots of the cute little innocent child selling bread on the street near the target. Of course, included was the human element of the drone pilot who would upon command be the one to pull the fire trigger. Those scenes were very well done by the actors and I'm sure it's close to the truth for any drone operator who has had to see up close and personal the damage done. Per the opening credits 30% of all drone pilots end up with PTSD. No wonder. My favorite scene was near the end of the film when the female liberal antagonist was berating the general for having done his job, when she says,"In my opinion, that was disgraceful and all done from the safety of your chair." The general's, Alan Rickman, response was priceless in only the way Rickman could have played it... "I have attended the immediate aftermath of 5 suicide bombings on the ground with the bodies. What you witnessed today with your coffee and biscuits is terrible. What those men would have done would've been even more terrible. NEVER tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war." This was Rickman's final film performance. We will miss him.

I do not envy any of the military commanders who make difficult decision but moreso those that receive orders that may be of conflict with their own personal opinions of what is right/wrong to initiate commands that will have fatal outcomes on innocent human lives. The movie had me at the edge of the chair in suspense to see what was going to happen.

I loved the technology used to spy on terrorist and wonder how verse my country is on this type of technology. I will always wonder and never know but hope that its just as good to prevent from horrific outcomes that affect human life in the globe.

I gave it 4 stars because there was a piece of the movie that bounces (dragged) between finding officials to make the call to act upon a terrorist threat but not having any military background myself Im sure it was close to how things really are when crucial decisions are made behind the scenes.

I would recommend the movie for those not weak at heart and to go into it with an open mind and a friend to peer review the movie together.

Let me know your thoughts

My husband and I thought it was well done and recommend. Drones are a touchy subject to some and the movie gives you an insider view of what drone pilots may encounter. I have read about drone pilots developing PTSD and Eye In The Sky gives you some understanding how this develops. The chain of command is lengthy and seemed accurate but I cannot speak with any factual knowledge on that. The acting was very good. I wasn't sure whether to give it a four or five Star rating. It was very well done and we were mesmerized by it. The suspense, the horror of war, amazing satellite technology, the individuals affected, the families and people who struggle in their war torn homes- it was all there. Plus, the drone pilots seemed to have some input but they were under orders at the same time. What a balancing act! (I have no idea if that is factual) Drone pilots do work in teams, but they are assigned, not chosen-according to the movie. I don't know that there would be drone pilots who Love that career. Its got to be strange, the stress and then walking out into the sun and the normal life after your shift- and I can see why it is approached with some degree of reluctance by service men and women. We have relatives who currently work with our Vets, so we were interested.
It is definitely worth viewing.