Dir: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush

Munich is a film inspired by real events. The word ‘inspired’ is the key word in that statement. It is not ‘based’ on actual happenings it is ‘inspired’, which leaves this film open to interpretation. The real events were the murder of 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team at the 1972 Munich games. A squad of Mossad agents were put together, led by Avner (Eric Bana), to eliminate the people who masterminded what came to be known as ‘Black September’.

“This is not a game” yells one of Spielberg’s well-cast extras midway through the film. However, I would describe Munich as being completely the opposite: one big extravagant game. Spielberg boasts his filmmaking genius at every opportunity. Kaminski’s simply breathtaking cinematography is food for the eyes of the audience. The film is jammed with parallel editing, intelligent rack focusing and even a Hitchcock-esque cameo by Spielberg himself. It is magnificent to watch but at the same time seems slightly self-indulgent of the director. In many ways I think that Spielberg should have chosen a different subject matter if he wanted to display his techniques to the audience.

The acting was excellent. The new 007 Daniel Craig and wannabe Bond Eric Bana co-starred to great effect. Bana took a massive step up from ‘Hulk’ and showed off his true ability. Craig played an Australian triggerman and proved that the versatility that he is acclaimed for is not unfounded. However, they are both bit players in comparison to Spielberg.

Although, at three hours the film was too long, the pace and style was reminiscent of All The Presidents Men. But unlike the infallible accuracy of the first, Munich seemed to include events that were extremely exaggerated and made especially for cinema audiences. Instead of run-of-the-mill bombings, Spielberg spices them up with intricate designs and triggers which seems a little unnecessary. In one scene of aftermath an arm is left hanging from a rotating ceiling fan which gives the impression of a cheap horror as opposed to a cinematic landmark.

The settings used were beautiful but the national identity was far too obvious. Is a market place conveniently positioned opposite the Eiffel Tower and full of beret-wearing customers buying garlic really necessary to show that they are in France?

Overall this is a superb display of Spielberg’s talents, but not a suitable film or subject matter for him to show off about. I can’t help thinking that a fictional plot may have been better suited.

I think it is interesting to point out that the only nomination likely to be given to this film come Oscar time is Best Director. 

Munich is a very good film which I highly recommend for the cinematography alone but ultimately Munich is a one man game with the only player being Steve Spielberg.

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