Buy Green Zone Movie. Watch online or Download
Genres: ActionThrillerDr
Starring: Nicoye Banks, Matt Damon, Raad Rawi, Amy Ryan, Yigal Naor, Said Faraj, Faycal Attougui
Director(s): Paul Greengrass
Available Quality: Hi Def
Country: USA, UK, Spain
Year: 2010
Available Quality: DVD, Hi Def, iPod, Hi Def, Hi Def
IMDB Rating: 7 out of 10 (53950 votes)
Matt Damon reteams with his Bourne Supremacy director to create a thriller grounded in contemporary politics the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Damon) travels across war-torn Iraq, pursuing the intelligence hes been given, but every site indicated comes up empty of WMDs. Investigating the source of the intelligence, he finds himself caught between CIA agent Martin Brown (Brendan Gleeson, 28 Days Later) and politician Clark Poundstone (Greg Kinnear, Little Miss Sunshine) over the identity of Magellan, the supposed source. As Miller tracks down an Iraqi general, he ends up further and further afield, facing danger from all sides. Its hard to say which is the greater accomplishment--that Green Zone manages to turn a still-volatile political issue into a propulsive action movie, or that it manages to depict Iraqi people as individuals with a wide range of responses to whats happened to their country. Damons performance is low-key but effective as Miller tries to maintain some semblance of moral clarity in a circumstance that muddies everything. Also featuring Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone) as a compromised journalist and Khalid Abdalla (The Kite Runner) as an Iraqi civilian who gets dragged into far more than he expected.
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Green Zone (DVD) | Resolution: 720x304 px | Total Size: 2052 Mb |
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Movie Photos:
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Visitors Review
(16 May 2012)
Shaky Camera
I shall pass on this one. I saw a short clip on Bill O'Rielly and the camera was bouncing all over the place. This may be a lovely new technique for some but it makes me sick!
xXBoss-EbertXx (15 May 2012)
How stupid
The most disgusting Movie since the super disgusting Sado-Maso Splatterpseudo religious Movie from Greengrass "The Bourne Travesty".Greengrass rises to a new high low point and the inbred part of the U.Sof A. gives him right. Brutality is a sign of fading civilizations,read the signs, it is obvious, that America and the UK is doing thesame to other country, so hopefully it goes down (the administration)not the people. But why are you guys so hot on violence? Because youlike fear? Well for me as a German it is nearly impossible tounderstand why you still scared as feces because of us. The Viatnameskicked your Buttocks much harder and the Iraquis will do even moredamage. But thats not the Point.....you like to be in fear, toalienate, to judge and to mettle. Greengrass is a ultraright-pro-British-Emigrant toadie of the Labour Party and his moviesafter The Theory of Flight (1998) sucked big time.I am sorry for y'all, not for all, thank god there are still a lot ofgood people in the U.S. of A. (not Michael Moore)
vinnieboards (13 May 2012)
When will America realise a sense of 'irony'?
So many reviews dismiss this film as whimsical propaganda. I long forthe day when our American friends across the pond start to understandthe real sense of irony here (irony is not like steely but with a bitof iron in it by the way).What do these people think that the American and British Governmenthave been feeding us over the last 20 years - you've guessed it,propaganda. And lots of it. In Britain we have spin doctors for thisvery purpose - in America, you have a President.This film is fiction but the basis of the movie is true. There were noweapons of mass destruction and therefore the war was unjust. Now Idon't know why the powers that be sought to invade Iraq. Maybe it wasto rid the world of a known megalomaniac. Or just payback time for9/11. Or maybe even by dismantling the country and then wading in withbillion dollar contracts to rebuild it. Or a "crude" attempt to cornerthe oil market (pardon the pun). The truth is, we will never know.The film itself is flawed in many areas but the overall message ispowerful. Matt Damon doesn't disappoint although on many occasions themotives of his character appear ludicrous. And of course PaulGreengrass's renowned shaky camera style does at times make the filmdifficult to watch. The film also predictably plays a familiar card -that different elements of the US Government (CIA vs Army) are singingfrom completely different hymn sheets. This card has been played manytimes before.But the plot doesn't let up, the action scenes are well done and thereis a certain aspect of relief that Hollywood, even in a limited way, isprepared to question the morals of a Government who are clearly notbeing truthful with their own electorate. And for this reason alone,the filmmakers should be applauded.The storyline come conspiracy theory may be propaganda but the moralmessage is indisputably true. And that much greater propaganda formed acoalition which waged war on a country under completely falsepretences. This gives this film merit, even if it is not a classic byany standard.I look forward to the raft of Afghan war films to be made over the next20 years with an underlying message that it is war that can never bewon. Watch this space - its going to happen.
(12 May 2012)
The most accurate "Fiction" movie ever made
This review is from: Green Zone [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) This movie is very entertaining especially if you understand a little about the Iraq War and/or have been to the middle east (not Dubai). The characters in the film are based on people in real life and if you know who those characters are you will really appreciate the intensity and depth of this film's plot. There are some great high temp scenes of frantic action much like the Bourne Identity which I thoroughly enjoyed.Matt Damon's acting and Greg Kinnear's acting are excellent and this is why a lot of people pay to see the film. The ending is good and seeing those two actors on the screen is very climatic. The middle portion of the movie does slow down and get boring but the beginning and end are action packed. The Iraqi perspective is shown and is great tie in. The soundtrack to this film is also very good. Don't miss it.
(30 April 2012)
The truth is a spelling term: a medusa with two heads !
Over the years, the history has proved with strong evidence, the truth is not absolute. The commonsense public opinion always seem to collide against the rules of game in what preservation of the National security and the basic principles that support the hegemony. This dichotomy acts as opposite forces: action and reaction that in most of cases tend to achieve a boiling point before the unavoidable climax. In this sense, the classic film "Rashomon" shows us the truth always depend from the perspective you are placed. Paul Greengrass directed with special boldness this absorbing and compelling war-thriller as so speak, about the besiege of Irak in pursuit of lethal chemical weapons.The figure of the antihero Roy Miller (Matt Damon at their best performance until this date) is the main driving force who tries surmounting any kind of bureaucratic barriers the truth behind formal statements, just to find the crude reality. A solid and very credible script, united to an agile direction make of this exciting movie worthy film to watch.Greg Kinnear is ravishing as Poundstone (The official link who desperately tries by all his means to hide the truth, that can blurry the best intentions).
galahadfairlight (29 April 2012)
An interesting idea... probably closer to the truth than people would like to admit
Firstly, lets get one thing straight. This is NOT Bourne in Iraq, oranything like a Bourne movie.It has a completely different pace to it, the only thing it shares isthe same leading man and director and shaky cam... thats it! Any otherinferences drawn between the two are fantasy.Green Zone has an interesting premise, set after the events of the Iraqwar starting, it centres around Roy Miller (Damon) on the hunt forWMD's, and finding none.... which pretty much echos the situation inreality.Conspiracies, shadow ops, CIA, Pentagon interference, all adds up tolots of people with different agendas trying to stop Miller getting tothe truth.Green Zone is supposed to be a work of fiction, but, the way its playedout, its very easy to accept that its probably a hell of a lot closerto the truth than the US Government would ever like to admit.To this day we still haven't found WMD's, which was the entire reasonand catalyst for deposing Saddam Hussein and invading Iraq, and thereasons in the movie are quite plausible.This in part is probably the reason why the American audiences havelargely ignored the movie, because it does play on the suspicions ofAmericans who have long suspected that both the US and the UK went towar in Iraq on a false pretence, and a war that the American public didlargely support at the time, is now nearly a modern day Vietnam.A shame really, as its a very good movie, that ramps up the tension,and the roles are played well, especially Damon and Kinnear as theduplicitous Pentagon official.Paul Greengrasses shaky cam doesn't bother me as it does others, andits not as evident here as it was in the Bourne movies.All in all, although its a work of fiction, its probably very close tothe truth about Iraq.
(28 April 2012)
Huge Disappointment
I had read reviews (pro and con) re this films political bent before watching the film. I knew the film had an anti-WMD tint, but didn't think twice about it -- until I watched the film. It was way over the top (politically) to the point where it detracted from the movie. I felt like this movie was directed by Michael Moorer and produced by Keith Obermann. I'm sensitive when films place our troops as mindless drones and the white house as greedy criminals and present it in a way to make us think that is all factual. Also, I fell asleep in this film -- simply didn't keep my interest at all. I couldn't wait for it to end. Massive disappointment.
Nick Kent (28 April 2012)
Enjoyable, but could be better.
Wow, this movie is very conflicting. It has some aspects done REALLYwell, while others were just god awful. A quick review: Like the actionscenes, they were extremely suspenseful, some of the most excitingaction scenes I've seen in a movie. It had great emotion, you couldalmost feel yourself wanting the terrorists to get away at times, avery hard hard feeling to give someone. The story was fantastic, veryunique.The biggest flaw was in acting, however. At times, the acting is reallygood, but in most cases either the actor is horrendous (the reporter)or the actor had terrible lines written for them (Matt Damon). TheIranian (Freddy) and the General were really good though.:Spoilers: Another flaw was the way things played out. Like... how thehell did Matt Damon/Miller track down the General at the end?Seriously, it's dark, he has no intelligence, and no idea where theGeneral is going. Same for Freddy, how did he find the General at theend? Overall, it was very enjoyable, but it could have been so muchbetter.
filmmaniac111 (27 April 2012)
Well Made and Action Packed
Numerous plot twists and action sequences are going to unfold in frontof Greengrass' camera not necessarily with new ideas but still awesome,making verbs just as deadly as a weapon.The directing is consistent: the legendary style of the directordoesn't change whether he's filming the chase of a key character orjust... a simple verbal confrontation.But if the solo walk of Jason Bourne or the confined spaces of United93 forced him to film in a chaotic way with extreme close ups,Greengrass managed to take a step back regarding his mise-en-scene. Theshots end up being larger, almost as if to say that these charactershave a future.It's also the occasion to film, without insistence, a demolished Iraqbecause of attacks not always justifiable, the director ofphotography(Barry Ackroyd) manages to capture pain and suffering withthe talent of a war photographer. That image also fuels the anger of acountry turned toward civil war because of this need to judge somebodyon mere intent.So does that make Green Zone an anti-American film? Of course not.There is, through the hero played by Damon or the female journalistplayed by Amy Adams, the idea that a decent moral world is possible ifit's durability is assured by people not corrupted by the system.Overall, an EXCELLENT FILM IN ALL RESPECTS, though it could have hadless plot twists.
(26 April 2012)
Politics over plot
I had a sneaking suspcicion after watching Green Zone that the reviews on Amazon.com devoted to this movie would be decidedly split since it does toss around a still volitale political football. In this case, the lightning rod issue is the Iraq War and the infamous search for WMD's (Weapons of Mass Destruction). Not surprisingly, the film has drawn praise and scorn for its take on the controversial issue. Ultimately, this is the movie's downfall. It is more concerned with pushing a political agenda than it is with delivering an enthralling, complex and well developed story. Matt Damon stars as Roy Miller, the chief of a U.S. military unit searching for WMD's at various sites in Iraq in 2003. Miller quickly begins to question the intel he is relying on when site after site continues to come up empty. Soon, he finds himself trying to get to the bottom of a coverup by the U.S. government involving a source known as "Magellan", who has been providing the faulty intel. That's really about all there is to the plot of the movie. Director Paul Greengrass attempts to build a tense action thriller around this thin plot, but it falls flat. Depending on one's political leanings, I suppose the movie could be viewed as a bold and truthful indictment of the Bush administration, or a total crock of liberal garbage. Personally, I don't think either interpretation is completely correct. I am by no means knowledgable on all of the facts surrounding the war in Iraq (accuse me of ignorance or apathy if you will), but my guess is that the truth is far mmore complicated than either side, and especially this movie, wants to admit.So what we are left with, aside from a hot button political issue, is an unengaging mess of politics and action that leaves you wanting to go back and watch the final two Bourne movies again to be reminded of what talents such as Greengrass and Damon can do when they are in peak form.
(22 April 2012)
Main Priority: to entertain. Anything beyond that is up to you.
I went into this film with reservations, mostly on account of the average box office pull it made during its run, coupled with the many harsh reviews it received afterward (many of them coming to rest right here on Amazon). But I was set on watching this because it's Paul Greengrass. I've only seen a handful of his films, but if he's nothing else, he's honest about what he's doing. And honesty is all I saw while I was watching this film.In many ways, GREEN ZONE could be seen as a quasi-bookend to Greengrass' highly-underrated United 93 (Widescreen Edition), though we're obviously dealing with a more fictionalized account in this instance. Our invasion of Iraq was, essentially, the epilogue to what happened on 9/11, during a time when we weren't simply focused on the ones who pulled the trigger, but anyone else who might have the distinct possibility. And that's where GREEN ZONE begins, during the opening moments of the invasion. It's shot in such a way that you could almost watch the two films together and not notice the transition. Cause and effect.For me, UNITED 93 is a very important film. I've watched it several times, and for this movie to begin like it did was emotionally jarring.But! Then we're off to the races with Matt Damon's character, Roy Miller: to see who can find the most WMDs. And it turns out there aren't any, but it's not like we couldn't see that plot twist coming. The action ramps up very quickly afterward, and pauses only so that you can wrap your mind around what's going on, then you're right back in the middle of it.The thing is: you can enjoy this movie as a pure thriller. I guarantee that if you go into GREEN ZONE thinking that all you'll be getting is a couple hours of good, intense action, then you've already found it. But the movie's secondary objective is to ask a question that I'm sure many Americans have asked in the years following the invasion.If the entire reason we went in there became a MacGuffin, then why were we there in the first place? The plot is fictional. The characters are fictional. But by the end of the movie, it ends up trying to hit you closer to home than you might have expected. Because regardless of what you believe, left or right, we paid for something in this war that we never ended up getting. And to that point, I was left just as disoriented as the main character.But that's beside the point. Did I mention there's some great action? =D
(21 April 2012)
Excellent Fiction.
"Green Zone" is truly an excellent fiction flick. Anybody who doesn't realize this Hollywood action movie is merely pumped up political fiction and takes it to heart...well I hear the "Wizard of Oz" movie still scares children into believing monkeys can fly. However Tornados do happen. I only gave this fun shoot'em up bang movie a one star is because of the political plot porn. 'Black Hawk Down' is more reliable as to being light years closer to any historical truth compared to "Green Zone Acres." Pssst by the way...the WMD were transported into Syria, one of Iraq's `friends,' just before the war. Watch out Israel.
simon-prometheus (21 April 2012)
Green means go
Green Zone is a film that deafly navigates the possibly disastrous pathof action saturation, creative liberties and touchy subject matter.Matt Damon's and director Paul Greengrass' third effort after TheBourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum tells the fictionalized butaccurate account of the span following the opening siege of Iraq, wherethe supposed WMD program of Saddam Hussein failed to unveil itself.Green Zone will keep those looking for a sharp action-war filmentertained and enrapture those interested in the politically chargedevents of the war without alienating either group.This may not be the hard hitting expose for which some may be yearning,but it is all we could hope for in a mainstream Hollywood product.Greengrass is certainly no stranger to the events surrounding Iraq,having already helmed the highly touted United 93 which tells the storyof one of the doomed planes on September 11th of 2001. His obviouspassion for the subject gives Green Zone the gravitas and grounding afilm like this needs and with the exception of multi-Oscar winner TheHurt Locker and Ridley Scott's Middle Eastern thriller Body of Liesthis is the strongest of the growing glut of such movies.Damon stars as Roy Miller, a chief warrant officer who is at theforefront for the search of WMD sites, all of which were gathered froma mysterious source known only as 'Magellan'. When site after siteturns up empty, Miller begins to ask questions that high rankingofficials do not want asked. With seemingly his only friend in allthis, Marin Brown (Brendan Gleeson) a veteran CIA operative, and anIraqi interpreter named Freddy, Miller goes rogue to uncover the truth.Standing in his way are the remaining loyal insurgents, a Whitehousebureaucrat named Poundstone (Greg Kinnear) who wants to keep things ontrack and his asset on the ground who is tasked with stopping Miller'sinquiries.Matt Damon is extremely solid here. He has no weepy dramatic scenes orbig blow-ups through which to act showy. He is very believable and lowkey and is an infinitely charismatic and commanding presence on screen.Kinnear is also quite good as the slimy suit that stands in the way ofour hero and the lesser know supporting cast all drive home noteworthyperformances as well. Much has been said about Greengrass' hand-heldcamera technique which seems to leave some on the nauseous side. I havehowever, come up with a theory in light of all the critics starting toget on my nerves and actually managing to turn my attention to the socalled shaky cam, which has never before bothered me.Take for example film critic James Berardinelli who seems to be on theline when it comes to that style of shooting. For the latter two Bournefilms, he made ample criticism of the shaky cam and it would seem thathis overall consensus reflected such. For Green Zone he claimed thevibration was far more restrained, which is in contrast to most othercritics who claimed it was the worst yet. My theory? One's perceptionof the film is not due to the camera movement, but rather the inverse.Depending on how engrossed a person is with the material, performancesetc that is how watchable they perceive the film to be. So in the caseof Berardinelli, the camera movement was likely fairly similar, but hefound Green Zone's material simply better.Cinematography aside, Green Zone is a rousing action film with aspectacular climax. Not only will it keep you entertained on a Fridaynight, but it will serve as a reminder of what happened in Iraq everytime you press play.Read all my reviews at simonsaysmovies.blogspot.com
(21 April 2012)
Interesting historical fiction - but read the book too.
This movie takes place in the general time frame of April-May, 2003. This is the period just after the initial invasion as US officials began to start the work of stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq. Several key participants in that phase of the Iraq War are easily recognized. Paul Bremer head of the Coalition Provisional Authority is represented by the character Clark Poundstone, Judith Miller of the New York Times is represented by the character Lawrie Dayne and Ahmed Chalabi appears in the film in the form of Zubaidi. Viewers interested in how closely this film mirrors actual history should do some background reading on these individuals.Near the top of the end credits we learn that the film was inspired by the book, "Imperial Life in the Emerald City" by Rajiv Chandrasekaran (Washington Post). This award winning book is a fascinating read and unlike most books of the period doesn't overreach with hype and a crusade for someone to demonize. Chandrasekaran's observant eye paints a realistic picture of the scene and the CPA's mostly flawed activities. And let's be clear, there is nothing partisan about finding fault with the CPA's execution of its mission because even the most loyal of Bush supporters have criticised the CPA. Newt Gingrich is quoted as saying, "Bremer is the largest single disaster in American foreign policy in modern times." Anyone interested in the period should read the book and other historical accounts.The film does a decent job of reflecting the flavor of "Emerald City" with the absurdities and screw ups. Dominos pizza is served by the pool in the heart of Baghdad. American leadership hand picks a new Iraqi leader that has not lived in Iraq for decades and is predictably discredited by other Iraqi leaders. The army is prematurely disbanded along with many other major social institutions that might have helped organize the rebuilding.The action is OK although I think the chase toward the end is bizarre. The resolution of the chase was interesting though with what Freddy does and says. It caps one of the main messages of the film.The bits of preachiness and wacky plot contrivances are disappointments and I think they do an injustice to the book. But the film still delivers on some action and the big picture of what happened during the time. This is OK as an action/political thriller but this film is not a great one. Although based on real people and events, it is still fiction so one has to be careful about what details to absorb from it.I'm glad I watched the film but I'm also glad I didn't buy it. Being based on a great book boosts this up to 3 stars from me. I hope it stirs debate and encourages Americans to read the book.
ajs-10 (17 April 2012)
Too political for some... But I found it entertaining...
This film has had a bit of a slating by certain critics and I know itdidn't go down too well with many in the USA. Given all thiscontroversy I decided it might be worth a viewing and I can see how itmight get certain sections of society a bit riled up. What I saw was anentertaining film, a work of fiction based on recent events in Iraq.But more of what I think later, here's a brief summary first (summaryhaters please search that building for WMDs while I write the nextparagraph).Roy Miller is a soldier tasked with investigating sites identified asholding Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) soon after the invasion ofIraq. After coming up empty each time he begins to question thevalidity of sources used to obtain this information. The top brassaren't interested and just fob him off but a CIA operative, MartinBrown, is sympathetic to his dilemma. Whilst investigating a site (&coming up empty yet again) an Iraqi civilian approaches Miller's unitand tells him that he has seen some ex-republican guard commandersmeeting at a house nearby. This civilian 'Freddy' is brought along asan interpreter and they set off to intercept the meeting. Capturing oneof the insurgents, they find out that a General Al Rawi was attending.Miller takes a notebook from the prisoner before a Special Forces unit,lead by Briggs, intercepts and takes the prisoner away. The notebookMiller has taken has the key to finding the General and others, withmuch darker, political, agenda's would like to get hold of him fortheir own means. I'll leave it there as I don't want to give the wholeplot away.There have been several films made on the subject of this conflict, butthis one stands out as one that questions the reasons for the war inthe first place. The US government are portrayed as very uncaring andonly out to cover up anything that might make them look bad in the eyesof the world. Yes, it's all very political! Decent performances allround; Matt Damon did a decent job as Miller and Brendan Gleeson waspretty good as Martin Brown. Honourable mentions also go to; GregKinnear as Clark Poundstone, "Hello" to Jason Isaacs, with a tremendousmoustache, as Briggs and Amy Ryan as journalist Lawrie Dayne. I alsothought that Khalid Abdalla was excellent at the Iraqi civilian,Freddy.Now, as I've already said this film is very political, but it is also avery good thriller with a lot of action thrown in for good measure. Asa piece of entertainment I found it very adequate although I could seethe plot being a bit over-complicated for some. At the end of the day Ithought it was an entertaining thriller set against the aftermath ofthe Iraq war that asks some tough questions of those that brought thewar about in the first place. Recommended.My score: 7.1/10
gregeichelberger (16 April 2012)
A not-so-thinly-veiled indictment on the Iraq War
Paul Greengrass, best known as the Academy Award-nominated director of"United 93," now delves into the intrigue and deception that made thesecond Iraq War so difficult for many to accept.Using as his spokesman Matt Damon, no wallflower when it comes to thehis anti-George Bush and anti-Conservative declarations, Greengrassmakes his point (and his sympathies) quite clear. And let's face it,"Green Zone," while being marketed as a war/action/adventure flick, isreally nothing of the kind.Yes, there are a few battle scenes, but overall, this is anot-so-thinly veiled indictment of the G.W. Bush administration'sdecision to march into Iraq using as a pretense poor (at the veryleast) or made up (at the worst) intelligence data claiming the countrywas a hotbed for biological, bio-toxic and even nuclear "weapons ofmass destruction" (WMD).Since none were ever found - by reportable sources - the reason for theinvasion is now called into question more than seven years after thefact. Greengrass and screenwriter Brian Helgeland (whose work runs thegamut of bad, "Cirque de Freak," "The Postman" to amazing, "L.A.Confidential," "Mystic River") pretty much uses a howitzer to bringthis point home.Based on the novel, "Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq'sGreen Zone", by former Baghdad Bureau Chief for the "Washington Post"and author, Rajiv Chandrasekara, there are no subtleties in this movie,just a non-stop hammering of the war policies of the former Republicanadministration.Doesn't mean it's a necessarily bad or great film, just that itsmotivation is overtly political.Damon is Army Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller, leading a group ofspecialists into the Iraqi capital a month after the initial shock andawe has worn off and (mostly) U.S. troops have taken over much of thecountry. Plagued with faulty intel regarding chemical weapons sites,Miller consults with a CIA agent, Martin Brown (Brendon Gleeson,"Braveheart"), and comes to the conclusion that he (and possibly therest of the world) is being duped.Could the duper be sleazy politician and White House Iraqi liaison,Clark Poundstone (played with appropriate blood-lust and war zeal byGreg Kinnear)? Was it the administration's desire to bring democracy tothe former Mesopotamia and dump the vicious dictator Saddam Hussein, orwas it to finish off the struggle begun (some say deservedly so) in1991 by Bush's father, George Herbert Walker? Those queries are not addressed here. Greengrass and Helgeland have anagenda and nothing seems to divert it from its chosen course.Characters wax philosophic at times, decrying the poor tips given by anunknown source, and predicting a rise up by insurgents, but this is allrevisionist thinking.In April of 2003, little of the facts known now were clear to anyone.Of course, with 20/20 hindsight, we see what a colossal blunder it was.Then, however, the U.S. was seemingly flushed with victory (remember"mission accomplished"?).Damon, meanwhile, discovers that a certain Iraqi Baath general, Al Rawi(Yigal Naor, who has played Saddam Hussein on several occasions), isthe one person who can deny the existence of WMDs to the world. Needingto track this man down, he is assisted by translator, Freddie (KhalidAbdalla) and a nosy, formerly pro-war female reporter, Lawrie Dane (AmyRyan, "Gone Baby Gone").Going rogue, he leaves his company, takes a few men and searches thewar-torn streets of Bahgdad to find Al Rawi, overcoming Iraqi killergoon squads and his own troops in the effort. It's the Bourne seriesmeets "The Shooter" meets "All the President's Men," except one cannottell WHAT is going on in the many night scenes.Whatever a person's politics might be, there are some decent sceneshere - appropriately gritty and terrifying, while Damon's acting skillsare intensified as he gobbles a script that seems to suit his leftistideological sensibilities. Unlike the recent Oscar-winning, "The HurtLocker," though, this picture doesn't glorify the troops, in fact, itmakes them seem pretty much compliant to the deception perpetrated bymembers of the Defense Dept.Just beware, it's not the war film it is being marketed as, however.Understanding that is the key to comprehending - and possibly evenappreciating - this work.
(15 April 2012)
grain,snow, flakes(whatever); someone seems to like it!?
This review is from: Green Zone (DVD) One of the reasons I bought a Pioneer Plasma TV ,KRP-500A ,was that it produced the best blacks possible by any TV at that time(2010).This blu ray however made the tv's best feature useless as I could see grain,noise,snow or whatever you may care to call it in the dark scenes.And this movie has quite a number of dark scenes with lots of action.What's the point? It seems that grain is necessary or even desirable to some people and even the critics(Blu Ray.com) like it.Personally ,a movie has to be clear and sharp, night scenes natural.Otherwise I will have to ask the question; why blu ray?
jollyjeangiant (14 April 2012)
Not just an action flick
This movie is not just another action movie- for once, we have a warmovie that allows characters on all sides to be three dimensional. Thisis not a "white hat/black hat" kind of movie- all the characters havetheir own motivations and many of them are flawed, yet working towardsa goal they believe in. The real conflict in this movie *accompanies*the fighting and explosions, and it is a conflict of ideals.This is not an anti-war movie. The portrayal of the everyday soldiersis done carefully and with respect, and the tragedy and messy pain ofwar is shown well. Khalid Abdalla's and Amy Ryan's characters are bothwell-rounded and their lives clearly extended beyond the boundaries ofthe film. Yigal Naor's performance is subtle and believable. MattDamon's character is not the star that everyone else rotates around-rather, he's the foil and the audience stand-in that navigates throughthe chaos portrayed. And seriously- do not let anyone spoil you for theending. Just wait for it.
griffordgl (14 April 2012)
The ugliest film I've ever seen
First of all:Paul Greengrass is a brilliant director (and hey, I'm not a fan of theBourne films whatsoever). And Brian Helgeland is a talentedscreenwriter.Oh yeah...and Matt Damon is cool too.Now, having said this...the photography on this film is the ugliestcinematography I have ever seen.The camera operator(s) hardly ever held the camera still. It was alwaysshaking! The grainy picture was just plain UGLY (and I like grainyfilms). The colors were way too muted and desaturated.In short, the story was good, even believable...but the photography wasso poor...I couldn't see s---!Again, this was the ugliest film I've ever seen.Cinematographers: STOP using HAND-HELD cameras! You're professionalsfor hell's sakes!
Arend (13 April 2012)
"Jarhead" gets bourned. I like.
I know this movie is not very intelligent. But I also think it doesn'twant to be. It's just a war thriller with a certain facts and fictionmixture that does not hurt anyone. And if you see it as that, it's veryexciting, I think.Maybe it's also because I generally like this sub-genre. I liked "TheKingdom", "Syriana", "Jarhead", of course "Three Kings" and even"Rendition". I do not compare these movies but I just like the Americancomments on this oily matter. Even if they are often clichéd andwannabe critical. Its simply the POV of an American I find interesting.(I am German by the way, and not in love with the USA) Do not forgetthat you will not get a real view of these war zones if an Americandoes this. It will always be the American view unless you have an Iraqidirector/writer make his film, which won't be more objective. For thatone should watch the countless documentaries and make up his mind."Green Zone" is just a thriller after all. Not every movie made aboutan area of conflict wants to wake people up or say somethingintelligent. And a movie is not stupid just because it does not show usanything we didn't know before. And if you tell me that "Green Zone" isstupid or wrong on any other matter, I am all yours.SMK
Review total: 20, showing from 1 to 20