This movie was PHENOMENAL!! Let me know your thoughts on this movie! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Get ready for The Raid Redemption movie reaction/commentary Wednesday! :) Enjoy the day!
Whatever you do, DO NOT WATCH THE SEQUEL. It's a pile of garbage by another director. Denis Villeneuve directed all the amazing shots in this movie. You should watch other films he directed like Incendies (2010), or Enemy (2013), they are all amazing. I'm a bit biased, he's from my home town... :)
I disagree the second one isn’t bad it’s just an action flick but it pales in comparison to the first one but the reason the movie is so good is because a lot of what it tells is what actually happens in reality
@@darkaero I love the interview he did for the Red camera company some time ago!how he loves the small compact filming experience compared to the 80s-90s while shooting with mega heavy gear during Air America with Mel Gibson!tropic areas with a shitload of trees to cover the most outdoors shots must be a drag til both light up and film!
I love how Villeneuve uses water in Bladerunner. I love scenes in rain, like the monologue in the first Bladerunner, but the way he played with different forms of water... mist at the beginning, than rain, snow, lag of water in a desert, water shadow play and even as a tool of destruction near the end.
Couldn’t agree more my friend. I’m surprised by how artistically well done this story was told..because it didn’t have to be but I’m so glad it was told in such a way!
@@AK-hd5zt That will ruin the character even more. I was already pissed that they gave him way too many speaking lines in the second movie, and had him protect that girl. Honestly, it's like the writers missed the whole point of his character. The man is dead! He died when his family was killed. He has no compassion and he has no purpose other than to seek out the people responsible and hurt them as much as humanly possible. There is no happy ending for him. He is like a machine now, and should be portrayed as one. The more you humanize him and make him out to be some hero, the more disservice you're doing to his character. I just hope they will understand this for the third movie.
I worked at my local theatre when this movie came out and during slow days I’d watch this movie if I could sneak away long enough lol Watched it about 7 times all while getting paid.. Good times!
The boarder scene starting at 10:30 is a perfect perfect example of how to build tension. Once you think it’s over and can take a breath the guy pops in view of the back of the car and bam. Showing don’t ever take a breath. Don’t ever think your safe don’t ever think it’s over. I felt the film in my body, after the scene was over I was like woah did I even breathe, my muscles were tense. So. Well. Done.
I think the aerial shots represent the wilderness that Emily Blunt's character finds herself in. Roger Deakins. I have no words> I was in a cinematography course at UCLA when No Country for Old Men was in theaters. My teacher could not stop talking about the amazing things Deakins did. Deakins and the director, Denis Villeneuve went on after this film to team up for Bladerunner 2049, where he finally won his well deserved Oscar. Villeneuve is currently direction Dune. I have NO DOUBT that Dune will be a cinematic masterpiece.
Forever sad that Deakins didn’t end up being his DP on Dune. Don’t know why that didn’t end up happening, and the guy who filmed it did a good job, but Deakins is just on another level.
@@MojiBeau Seriously!!! Deakins can do any movie he wants to do. Perhaps 1917 and it's all-one-shot experience drew him away. Gordon Willis is another one of my favorite DOPs. Have you read any of the Making of the godfather books? The executives saw the dailies and were sure Gordon Willis was under exposing everything and Francis Ford Coppola was hopeless. I'm so pleased they were wrong. But Roger Deakins. MAN! Who invented him?
Really appreciate your unbiased, detailed, analytical reactions to the art of filmmaking in general (Sicario being a favorite for me among many others) 👍
I like to think of SICARIO as the 3rd film in a trilogy that we don't have the first 2 films for. Because Alejandro's completing his arc while she's the plucky young ingenue they pick to be his idealistic antagonist for the last film. If we had the first 2 films, we'd hate her for being in the way instead of identifying with her.
@@JamesVSCinema please react to Mandy(2018)(your mind will be blown) The Departed(2006) Get Out(2017) Overlord(2018) Rambo(2008) Rambo Last Blood(2019) Inception(2010) Train To Busan(2016) A Quiet Place(2018) Ex Machina(2015) Annihilation(2018) Also please react to some classics The Terminator(1984) Terminator 2 Judgement Day(1991) First Blood(1982) Rambo First Blood Part 2(1985) Rambo 3(1988) Robocop(1987) Total Recall(1990) Poltergeist(1982) Pet Sematary(1989) Back To The Future(1985) Unforgiven(1992) Tombstone(1993) The Shining(1980) Alien(1979) Aliens(1986)
The desert shots feel so isolated, almost hopeless. The lengths they go to in order to fight against an enemy so elusive and hidden. It cannot be done without cunning and ruthlessness to get them to revel themselves. The desert is too wide and they are hidden too well to find without baiting them out of hiding. You can't tell if they are in Mexico or the USA and that has to mean something, but I am not smart enough to know what that meaning is.
Great pick. Love Villeneuve. Not only is he a master at the craft, there's nothing derivative about his style. Hope you'll check out more of his work. Prisoners is my fave.
21:40 I love that scene so much Alejandro: "Go ahead and finish your meal" Fausto: "......." (in utter, disbelief and pain that it sends him into shock.. lost .. shallow quick breaths.. far away stare.. can't wrap his head around what just happened.. he's not even here anymore..) [Music cues into the scene] Alejandro, relating with Fausto's pain of losing a family, puts him out of his misery
Came over to check out your stuff after your comment on the SPR video, so happy to see you reacted to this film! One of my favorites. Loved your reactions to the border scene and the dinner scene, as you said this movie excels at creating tension. Really looking forward to watching more of your videos!
Hahaha my man, this film is definitely incredible in so many ways. Been watching your videos for a couple weeks now man and I truly enjoy them man. They really helped spark up this RUclips Channel so I gotta give props to the man himself. Happy to see you doing well my brother, excited for your future videos too!
Absolute classic and a beautiful film. Gritty, violent yet smart and so thrilling with stunning scenes. It really captures the sense of "border" in both physical and emotional sense. The music combined with how it's shot combines in a way that not many movies can match.
I love the aerial shots, I heard someone say once that they represented (in their mind) how the land on both sides near the border is nearly the same, but with huge differences in safety and daily life.
Sicario is one of my favorite movies of the last decade, and my favorite by Denis Villeneuve. When I first saw it in the theaters, I walked into the bathroom after it was over, texted some of my friends about how unbelievable it was, and walked right back into the same theater to watch it again immediately.
I like the small scenes with the Mexican police officer and his family throughout the movie. Small touches that makes the watcher empathize a little bit with ordinary people who get caught up in or become collateral damage because of how much the cartels affect their world. Great movie
I cant believe how much I loved watching you react to this. Never watched any of your vids but I am a filmmaker also and I get so much joy seeing others react to films that I love.
Another great reaction, this is one of my favorite of Villeneuve's films. The composition of the shots and the music go so well together. The dread of entering Juarez with its accompanying score is so satisfying. I liked Prisoners and Arrival and am excited to see what he does with Dune. I'm not sure what the aerial shots represent, if anything, other than showing the audience that geography and territory is really an abstract and arbitrary means of delineating "our side vs. their side." Remember, Arizona was once Mexico, which in these days is portrayed as an area of terrible crime and violence. But the opening shot (in Arizona) establishes what sort of hellish cruelty and criminality can be visited upon a locale.
Excelent Reaction. At the time, one of the things I loved most about this film was the soundtrack. I love soundtracks! I listened in the car several times while driving at night. Is a masterwork. And the sinister side was to know with sadness that the author Johann Johannsson , died exactly of a cocaine overdose in 2018. A complete and absurd waste. R.I.P. Sad...
The movie is definitly more of an indictment on the US government and how it abuses things more than on the cartel. The cartel is just a revenue machine to them.
Definitely showcased the “bigger fishes” behind the shadows even within our US government. This was a truly intellectual film and I’m happy it wasn’t dumbed down
@@JamesVSCinema There are too many people employed and too much money flowing in the “War on drugs”. It’s an industry and it’s not in their interest for it to stop. If the right wingers realised how much of their taxes are going on keeping hordes of people fighting this war employed, it would be stopped.
I watched this movie on the plane back from holiday in Cancun in Mexico, I loved it! I also watched it at the theatre and thought the cinematography and sound was simply incredible! I wish I had been given this movie to study at college all those years ago! The way I sum this movie up is it’s one man with an ulterior motive!
James VS Cinema you just can’t help it haha. I don’t know if you saw O Brother Where art Thou but that’s when I was introduced to Deakins and I’ve seen every movie he made so far.
The landscape shots are to me showing how similar the lands are... and how different... the border between to places and how similar and different they are.
"Ahora vas a conocer a Dios". My heart was racing even tho I already watched this movie a while ago. Denis Villeneuve is truly one of the greatest filmmakers of this century, I can't wait for Dune! The cinematography is off the charts in this one, Roger Deakins is a legend, I love the things he does with lighting in the movie, specially the scenes at night. Sometimes in movies you can tell when there's studio lights so you can see the actor's faces or other stuff that you wouldn't be able to see in real life, but here everything is pitch-dark adding realism to the scenes. I also really like the color grading, it's like bleak and desaturated but it fits the tone of the movie so well. If you haven't seen these movies I highly recommend them: Nocturnal Animals, Hell or Highwater and Monos. The last one I just saw it the other day and I was mindblown, if you get to see it I'm sure you'll love the cinematography and the locations, omg the locations!
That border scene is one of my favorite scenes ever. All involved here are masters at what that do. I got on a Taylor Sheridan kick this weekend. I've got to watch this now! 😊
Yes James! one of my favourites Benicio is one of a kind for sure really recommended The Way Of The Gun one of his first big films and the shoot outs are John Woo level crazy, as always keep it up brother!
Hahaha so glad you enjoy my friend!! Thank you again for supporting, all of you guys are incredible. I’ll definitely have to check that out and put it in the next patreon poll! Loved his acting in this film!
Awesome review as always. As far as the aerial shots go, they make me think about the endlessness of war and how, at the end of the day, all that violence is just over some dirt and trees.
First time reaction to one of your First Time Reaction videos. Like you, I am mesmerized watching the camera work as well as the sound and score, let alone the storyline more than capably acted this fine ensemble. Top-tier film, especially in its genre. Director Denis Villeneuve was appropriately chosen for his eye and creative vision to do "Blade Runner: 2049". BTW: You're only the second person on YT I've come across in many "reaction videos" who brings a bit more technical appreciation and knowledge to your commentary. Good job.
I personally think Emily Blunt's character is meant to embody a lot of the audience, as well as act as a contrast to the displays shown. I think the best scenes would not be nearly as influential if everyone just went along like it was normal and fine, but the fact that she is there freaking out, with the contrast of everyone ELSE acting like everything is fine just makes it so much better. As for he embodying the audience, a lot of people simply have no reference for these kinds of things, or at least no realistic reference. A lot of people who are in the military, people who are comfortable with the military, and especially those kinds of people who are familiar with the heinous activities of the cartels, understand that what is happening is necessary, crucial even, to maintaining national stability and happens everyday. A lot of those people dislike this movie and find Emily Blunt's character incredibly annoying for not understanding that fact. However, I would say that she adds a very important aspect to the film, that being her perspective as an outsider to this grim world, giving us a more visceral and personally relatable portal into this world.
I understand people being annoyed at her character, but the things she does are understandable. They keep her in the dark to keep her on board. They need her to stay, to be able to do what they want to, & she wants justice, but also wants to know what’s going on. I end up believing every move she made. It was realistic & understandable. Everything she did made sense, & she stayed with them to find out what was going on, & to make sure someone paid for what happened at the start. This is such a great movie!
I think the dessert shots mixed with the music is portraying a sense of deserting your morals, your limits, and where they are physically. I think the camera moving on during the shots, demonstrates the distance from home you have to travel to meet this enemy on their level. Either way Fantastic movie
Having just been engaged in some conversation about Kubrick and 2001 I have to say that he's better than Kubrick. Villanueve's movies are more accessible to a wider audience, whereas Kubrick's could end up just being weird and confusing, especially to those not well-versed in avant garde film.
I always love me some Sicario Reviews/Reactions The movie constantly has such a unforgivably oppressive feeling to it and the tension that it builds up is monstrous. And I think what really sells it is the fact that the violence, while undoubtedly brutal, is still within what we know is possible with people (same thing with the movie Prisoners).
Great shots is what you get when you team up one of the top directors in the business right now and arguably the best cinematographer to ever put images on film.
Question, how do you edit these reactions, I've been trying to do it, but can't quite figure out the faded out background and volume with pop up picture in picture? Is there a how to video anywhere on the RUclips?
I don't know or will have to rewatch this masterpiece to reanalyze those aerial shots but what I remember was being in awe on how good those shots looked as well. Loved your commentary on one of my top Favorite films and what he did to that cartels family, I was no way near to expecting that outcome.
Glad I'm not the only one who analyzes story and camera work at the same time. Lol it's a double dose of adrenaline. Most movies that people dont bat an eye at I usually love.
That why Officers call being in a car "The Tomb" worst place to be in a gunfight. Rounds go through doors and windows like paper and your mobility and field of fire is sh*t.
Great film/reaction. For me those aerial shots felt like a blanketing dark cloud is coming their way, like a swarm of silent killer bees. With an ominous feeling.
Apart from Black Hawk Down, that trip into Mexico is possibly the most accurate depiction of what a convoy mission is like in Iraq. No small talk, everyone calm but tense, professional because we've done this 100 times. Little reactions from the civilians that suggest there is a system of warnings in place. The reminders that you are unwanted trespassers in a foreign land.
My husband and I randomly threw this on Netflix one night and were STUNNED by the shots in this movie. We would just look over at each other dumfounded. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The score just pulled you in even more and just brought the tension to an all time high. Such a great move. I was disappointed in the second one, the expectations were high.
Its great to see great actors given material and direction to match their talent as they were in this movie. Brolin and Del Toro also worked together in the totally trippy and underappreciated Paul Thomas Anderson film "Inherent Vice," where they inhabited totally different characters (Brolin especially). Its one of my favorites.
The wide open landscapes remind me of the great unknown. No end in sight. South Texas is like that, intimidating in it's endlessness. It's deafening in it's quiet. You are aware of how small and visible you are in all that openness.
The first arial when the heavy tense music builds up the closer they get to Juarez. It starts close on US side, it looks contained watched and controlled. Then it shows directly above showing us both sides of the boarder. It still give me a sense that it's safe watched under control. Then as each shot gets higher and higher showing how massive the border is and I feel the thought of control, safety and watched leave with each one and then we get the shot of the beast. Everything before was neat, planned out but when we see Juarez it's like looking at a fire, it's everywhere it can burn, no sense of planning, and it's trying to break free of the vain attempt of keeping it under control. In when we are in Juarez we stay in the street we never see where they are going. They are navigating a dangerous and deadly maze, where on any rooftop, around any corner could be an ambush, I never felt they where safe even when surrounded by the Mexican police. Then the crossing, the exit is in sight but Juarez controls this side of the border and it's not going to let them go without a fight. The first time I saw this whole sequence I feel in love with this movie
I am a photographer and I love how the lighting in this film was either mostly available light or created with such precision and subtlety that it looked natural. I love to create and shape light as well as exploit natural light when needed and this film is like a master class of beautiful lighting, camera use, compositional elements and textures,
This defo one of my fave movies ever. Sicario 2 is also very decent, but the first movie is soo awesome and well thought out. Not to even mention 'The Beast' (the soundtrack) of the movie...
5:00 Somehow I believe nobody on earth peeped this but the dude on the left, with a white shirt and black tie is the same guy from Breaking Bad Season 4 finale that asked Jesse _"You wanna cook with a broken arm?"_ Right before Walt swooped in and saved Jesse.
Another great movie choice, nice job to those voting. 16:07 Though it's been a while since I last saw this and therefore don't remember the specific scenes, I'd probably argue that the aerial and landscape shots are there to portray to us the natural atmosphere(?) of the story itself. To sort of take away the sensations or "movie plot" of it all; that these gruesome and terrible aspects surrounding Mexican cartels is like, as normal and ordinary as dirt or the desert in some of these areas and not just a fun and/or dramatic movie plot. I think it's sorta alike that scene of Brolin yelling at Blunt outside, and how they went with the wide-shot from a distance instead of up-close on their faces. It's sorta antithetical to what movies "should" do, or definitely usually do, because it essentially decreases the emotion and drama, but what it increases is the bleak mood of the story by making all this feel very mundane and ordinary. They're essentially making the plot more boring which under most hands would definitely be a bad risk, but I guess people like Villeneuve and Deakins are masters of their craft for a reason.
I always commend art like that. It’s essentially showing something for literally what it is but through the lens of whoever is wielding the story. Conversations of people yelling can be shot in so many ways but I loved that they had the camera as a wife shot from there. It felt natural, yet..unnatural. All in all it worked super well with the story!
Honestly loved this video review - the scene at the border crossing for me is a masterclass of how to build tension with all elements - framing, pace, music, acting with subtle movements. The shots from a bird's eye view of scenery for me shows the beauty and harshness of life how we can have green lush life but arid almost death like parts at the same time. - also can't wait for your review of dune in terms of shots & cinematography
The ending scene of the gunshots in the distance while the soccer game keeps going is a symbol that any idea of peace and justice in this landscape is just a child's game.
This movie was PHENOMENAL!! Let me know your thoughts on this movie!
Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema
Get ready for The Raid Redemption movie reaction/commentary Wednesday! :) Enjoy the day!
Whatever you do, DO NOT WATCH THE SEQUEL. It's a pile of garbage by another director. Denis Villeneuve directed all the amazing shots in this movie. You should watch other films he directed like Incendies (2010), or Enemy (2013), they are all amazing. I'm a bit biased, he's from my home town... :)
I disagree the second one isn’t bad it’s just an action flick but it pales in comparison to the first one but the reason the movie is so good is because a lot of what it tells is what actually happens in reality
At the end the decent into the under world. A place of no return. She will never be truly safe again.
Denis Villeneuve has great French movies as well. The fact that he has been snagged by Hollywood from Montreal is not too hard to understand.
They make spc. LY i whitecolour or itelig................. ok ok
Dennis Villeneuve and Roger Deakins are a deadly combo. Sicario is a great movie.
Very true, the two can do no wrong!
Roger Deakins himself elevates every film he's involved with.
dont forget taylor sheridan
@@darkaero I love the interview he did for the Red camera company some time ago!how he loves the small compact filming experience compared to the 80s-90s while shooting with mega heavy gear during Air America with Mel Gibson!tropic areas with a shitload of trees to cover the most outdoors shots must be a drag til both light up and film!
Don't forget Johan Johansson. Rip
It's only when Dennis Villeneuve and Roger Deakins meet that you hear "Damn what a shot!" repeated this much.
Looking at you Blade Runner 2049.
Hahahaha yes Blade Runner 2049 is a culprit of that too.
That's because Villenueve & Deakins collaborated on that film as well.
I love how Villeneuve uses water in Bladerunner. I love scenes in rain, like the monologue in the first Bladerunner, but the way he played with different forms of water... mist at the beginning, than rain, snow, lag of water in a desert, water shadow play and even as a tool of destruction near the end.
@@sethcarnius3548 Villeneuve is an artist
Blade Runner 2049 / Sicario / Prisoners - the Deakins-Villeneuve Trilogy.
Emily Blunts character in many ways embodies the audience. Just as she learns all the sketchy details so does the average audience.
Like the audience, Emily Blunt's character think she's in a cop movie, but then realizes it's a war movie.
The highway scene is literally the most tense scene I've seen in any film I think
I wouldn’t blame you if it was! It’s so good!
@@JamesVSCinema 3 weeks late into viewing this but if you haven't seen it, i would recommend Cinefix's analysis of the highway scene.
@@johnnyjohnny6174 did you assume that these are rational people?
@@johnnyjohnny6174 you must not know anything about mexican cartels
@@jaives Absolutely. Fantastic analysis. Explains in understandable terms how and why it's so effective.
This is shaping up to be a classic of the 2010s. What a collaboration of talent, so gritty but still artfully crafted. The atmosphere is overwhelming.
Couldn’t agree more my friend. I’m surprised by how artistically well done this story was told..because it didn’t have to be but I’m so glad it was told in such a way!
Benicio was perfect for the role of siccario....god damn no one wants to mess with that guy
He’s the John Wick before the John Wick
@@JamesVSCinema yeah ...
Do you think we will get the 3rd movie of this franchise ....like the back story of Alejandro?
Thanks for the heart 😊
@@JamesVSCinema John Wick's the man you send to kill the Boogeyman. Alejandro Gillick's the man you send to kill John Wick.
@@AK-hd5zt That will ruin the character even more. I was already pissed that they gave him way too many speaking lines in the second movie, and had him protect that girl. Honestly, it's like the writers missed the whole point of his character. The man is dead! He died when his family was killed. He has no compassion and he has no purpose other than to seek out the people responsible and hurt them as much as humanly possible. There is no happy ending for him. He is like a machine now, and should be portrayed as one. The more you humanize him and make him out to be some hero, the more disservice you're doing to his character. I just hope they will understand this for the third movie.
I worked at my local theatre when this movie came out and during slow days I’d watch this movie if I could sneak away long enough lol Watched it about 7 times all while getting paid.. Good times!
Nice finesse the system 😂
Me too, I was a booth operator
I was working at a movie theatre when The Matrix came out. Yeah, I probably spent more time in there watching it than working.
I'm from Mexico, that kind of crime and violence is called Monday here
Nice reaction bro 🖒
That’s wild. Hoping your safe and sound. You have a beautiful culture, try your best to keep your head up familia.
I wouldn't say you see this kind of stuff that often, and I'm from Sinaloa.
And America & Canada are largely to blame. 20% of the US population takes Cocaine fairly regularly apparently.
@@eylonemuskson4177 20%? No. Not even remotely in that ballpark. You're too stupid for words...
@@troymash8109 i believe it's more like 1% which is still high but yah 20% is preposterous.
The boarder scene starting at 10:30 is a perfect perfect example of how to build tension. Once you think it’s over and can take a breath the guy pops in view of the back of the car and bam. Showing don’t ever take a breath. Don’t ever think your safe don’t ever think it’s over. I felt the film in my body, after the scene was over I was like woah did I even breathe, my muscles were tense. So. Well. Done.
Damn right Chloe! That part was so awesome and well stitched together. Shoutout to the editor and music composer
Dennis Villeneuve, Taylor Sheridan, Roger Deakins and Jóhann Jóhannsson RIP. so good.
They crafted such a beautiful film not just narratively but cinematically as well!
RIP Jóhann Jóhannsson. Such amazing talent. His work here and in Mandy was incredible.
Whorror That soundtrack is so good, I got the LP :)
Taylor Sheridan wrote & directed Wind River as well which is 👌
@@MikeS-ur2ql kind of consider Hell or High Water, Sicario and Wind River Taylor Sheridan's trilogy in spirit.
You should watch Wind River. It was also written by Taylor Sheridan.
I’ll keep that one in mind for the next patreon poll! Thank you!
Yes! Wow that movie was heavy. Very emotional.
yes wind river definitely.. if you haven't seen Arrival, i'd recommend that too.
swish007 arrival is probably one of my favorite movies
when he talked about the desert landscape and the desolate feeling coupled with the music, i immediately thought of Wind River.
So far Denis has a perfect record in my book. All his films are great or phenomenally great. In my opinion the best director of the 2010s onward
He’s brilliant!
I think the aerial shots represent the wilderness that Emily Blunt's character finds herself in.
Roger Deakins. I have no words> I was in a cinematography course at UCLA when No Country for Old Men was in theaters. My teacher could not stop talking about the amazing things Deakins did.
Deakins and the director, Denis Villeneuve went on after this film to team up for Bladerunner 2049, where he finally won his well deserved Oscar.
Villeneuve is currently direction Dune. I have NO DOUBT that Dune will be a cinematic masterpiece.
Forever sad that Deakins didn’t end up being his DP on Dune. Don’t know why that didn’t end up happening, and the guy who filmed it did a good job, but Deakins is just on another level.
@@MojiBeau Seriously!!! Deakins can do any movie he wants to do. Perhaps 1917 and it's all-one-shot experience drew him away.
Gordon Willis is another one of my favorite DOPs. Have you read any of the Making of the godfather books?
The executives saw the dailies and were sure Gordon Willis was under exposing everything and Francis Ford Coppola was hopeless.
I'm so pleased they were wrong.
But Roger Deakins. MAN! Who invented him?
One of my favorite films.
I can see why, I absolutely loved this!
same
Really appreciate your unbiased, detailed, analytical reactions to the art of filmmaking in general (Sicario being a favorite for me among many others) 👍
I like to think of SICARIO as the 3rd film in a trilogy that we don't have the first 2 films for. Because Alejandro's completing his arc while she's the plucky young ingenue they pick to be his idealistic antagonist for the last film. If we had the first 2 films, we'd hate her for being in the way instead of identifying with her.
This film is an absolute masterclass in tension. Villeneuve is just incredible.
The aerials make me think, like, that is the dirt that all this blood is being shed for. That's the stage.
Very interesting outlook actually! Thank you for sharing this! There’s no right or wrong answer so hearing this perspective is really cool!
I always saw it as the transition to mexico without the film saying "MEXICO"
Watch prisoners (2013) made by same director
Watch Nightcrawler as well thank you keep up the great vids.
Hey thanks my friend! Prisoners will be on today’s poll so make sure to vote if you can!
Nightcrawler is so good.
if you're in the mood for a depressing evening, nocturnal animals goes quite well with prisoners 😝
@@JamesVSCinema please react to
Mandy(2018)(your mind will be blown)
The Departed(2006)
Get Out(2017)
Overlord(2018)
Rambo(2008)
Rambo Last Blood(2019)
Inception(2010)
Train To Busan(2016)
A Quiet Place(2018)
Ex Machina(2015)
Annihilation(2018)
Also please react to some classics
The Terminator(1984)
Terminator 2 Judgement Day(1991)
First Blood(1982)
Rambo First Blood Part 2(1985)
Rambo 3(1988)
Robocop(1987)
Total Recall(1990)
Poltergeist(1982)
Pet Sematary(1989)
Back To The Future(1985)
Unforgiven(1992)
Tombstone(1993)
The Shining(1980)
Alien(1979)
Aliens(1986)
The desert shots feel so isolated, almost hopeless. The lengths they go to in order to fight against an enemy so elusive and hidden. It cannot be done without cunning and ruthlessness to get them to revel themselves. The desert is too wide and they are hidden too well to find without baiting them out of hiding. You can't tell if they are in Mexico or the USA and that has to mean something, but I am not smart enough to know what that meaning is.
Great pick. Love Villeneuve. Not only is he a master at the craft, there's nothing derivative about his style. Hope you'll check out more of his work. Prisoners is my fave.
Truly agree! I placed Prisoners on the polls! Thanks again Lara for supporting, truly means a lot!
@@JamesVSCinema this makes me incredibly happy
21:40 I love that scene so much
Alejandro: "Go ahead and finish your meal"
Fausto: "......." (in utter, disbelief and pain that it sends him into shock.. lost .. shallow quick breaths.. far away stare.. can't wrap his head around what just happened.. he's not even here anymore..)
[Music cues into the scene] Alejandro, relating with Fausto's pain of losing a family, puts him out of his misery
Perceptive.
Came over to check out your stuff after your comment on the SPR video, so happy to see you reacted to this film! One of my favorites. Loved your reactions to the border scene and the dinner scene, as you said this movie excels at creating tension. Really looking forward to watching more of your videos!
Hahaha my man, this film is definitely incredible in so many ways. Been watching your videos for a couple weeks now man and I truly enjoy them man. They really helped spark up this RUclips Channel so I gotta give props to the man himself. Happy to see you doing well my brother, excited for your future videos too!
Absolute classic and a beautiful film. Gritty, violent yet smart and so thrilling with stunning scenes. It really captures the sense of "border" in both physical and emotional sense. The music combined with how it's shot combines in a way that not many movies can match.
I love the aerial shots, I heard someone say once that they represented (in their mind) how the land on both sides near the border is nearly the same, but with huge differences in safety and daily life.
Sicario is one of my favorite movies of the last decade, and my favorite by Denis Villeneuve. When I first saw it in the theaters, I walked into the bathroom after it was over, texted some of my friends about how unbelievable it was, and walked right back into the same theater to watch it again immediately.
I like the small scenes with the Mexican police officer and his family throughout the movie. Small touches that makes the watcher empathize a little bit with ordinary people who get caught up in or become collateral damage because of how much the cartels affect their world. Great movie
IMO none of Dennis Villeneuves movies have missed. He's become my favorite director.
I agree Jesse! Dude is becoming a legend!
I cant believe how much I loved watching you react to this. Never watched any of your vids but I am a filmmaker also and I get so much joy seeing others react to films that I love.
Another great reaction, this is one of my favorite of Villeneuve's films. The composition of the shots and the music go so well together. The dread of entering Juarez with its accompanying score is so satisfying. I liked Prisoners and Arrival and am excited to see what he does with Dune. I'm not sure what the aerial shots represent, if anything, other than showing the audience that geography and territory is really an abstract and arbitrary means of delineating "our side vs. their side." Remember, Arizona was once Mexico, which in these days is portrayed as an area of terrible crime and violence. But the opening shot (in Arizona) establishes what sort of hellish cruelty and criminality can be visited upon a locale.
the border crossing is one of the greatest scenes created
This channel just oozes quality my man, great editing and intelligent commentary make these reactions a pleasure to watch. Keep up the good work bro.
This really does mean a lot to me man, thank you! Just motivates me to continue forward.
This is one of my favorite movies of all time. The sound design is insane and makes it so much better.
Indeed my friend! I would have loved to have seen this in theaters.
Sicario is so good, it never fails to make me feel like shit afterwards haha
That ending was...my goodness.
LOVED your commentary and inputs. This is a fantastic film and was super happy to find this video!
You should go through Villenueve's entire filmography, if you haven't already.
I placed Prisoners on the current poll, may put up Enemy on the next!
"Arrival" is another great one
Evie Diane Arrival is the BEST one!! But they’re all great. As well as Incendies.
@@JamesVSCinema Prisoners is so good. Watch everything by Villeneuve because he is the best!!
Evie Diane - Arrival is so great. I gotta watch that again ASAP. But need to finally watch Sicario first.
Excelent Reaction. At the time, one of the things I loved most about this film was the soundtrack. I love soundtracks! I listened in the car several times while driving at night. Is a masterwork. And the sinister side was to know with sadness that the author Johann Johannsson , died exactly of a cocaine overdose in 2018. A complete and absurd waste.
R.I.P. Sad...
Yes! Wonderful acoustic bowed Double Bass Riff.
The movie is definitly more of an indictment on the US government and how it abuses things more than on the cartel. The cartel is just a revenue machine to them.
Definitely showcased the “bigger fishes” behind the shadows even within our US government. This was a truly intellectual film and I’m happy it wasn’t dumbed down
Just "out-monstering" the monster.
@@JamesVSCinema There are too many people employed and too much money flowing in the “War on drugs”. It’s an industry and it’s not in their interest for it to stop. If the right wingers realised how much of their taxes are going on keeping hordes of people fighting this war employed, it would be stopped.
I watched this movie on the plane back from holiday in Cancun in Mexico, I loved it! I also watched it at the theatre and thought the cinematography and sound was simply incredible! I wish I had been given this movie to study at college all those years ago! The way I sum this movie up is it’s one man with an ulterior motive!
Whenever I watch a Denis or Roger made movie I repeat the same phrase : “oh my god,look at that shot”.
They’re both masters of their craft.
Hahaha I sounded like a broken record in the video because I loved every shot basically haha
James VS Cinema you just can’t help it haha. I don’t know if you saw O Brother Where art Thou but that’s when I was introduced to Deakins and I’ve seen every movie he made so far.
The landscape shots are to me showing how similar the lands are... and how different... the border between to places and how similar and different they are.
That’s a really interesting take Patrick! Love that you guys are commenting your thoughts on those scenes!
"Ahora vas a conocer a Dios". My heart was racing even tho I already watched this movie a while ago.
Denis Villeneuve is truly one of the greatest filmmakers of this century, I can't wait for Dune!
The cinematography is off the charts in this one, Roger Deakins is a legend, I love the things he does with lighting in the movie, specially the scenes at night. Sometimes in movies you can tell when there's studio lights so you can see the actor's faces or other stuff that you wouldn't be able to see in real life, but here everything is pitch-dark adding realism to the scenes. I also really like the color grading, it's like bleak and desaturated but it fits the tone of the movie so well.
If you haven't seen these movies I highly recommend them: Nocturnal Animals, Hell or Highwater and Monos. The last one I just saw it the other day and I was mindblown, if you get to see it I'm sure you'll love the cinematography and the locations, omg the locations!
Sends chills every time hahaha! Thank you for commenting my friend!
That border scene is one of my favorite scenes ever. All involved here are masters at what that do. I got on a Taylor Sheridan kick this weekend. I've got to watch this now! 😊
the scene where use see the flash and hear the silencer and the guard drops PERFECT.
13 mins of anticipation leading to just 7 seconds of action. Wow that highway is phenomenal.
Yes James! one of my favourites Benicio is one of a kind for sure really recommended The Way Of The Gun one of his first big films and the shoot outs are John Woo level crazy, as always keep it up brother!
Hahaha so glad you enjoy my friend!! Thank you again for supporting, all of you guys are incredible. I’ll definitely have to check that out and put it in the next patreon poll! Loved his acting in this film!
Awesome review as always. As far as the aerial shots go, they make me think about the endlessness of war and how, at the end of the day, all that violence is just over some dirt and trees.
@@notaname8140 Nailed it.
First time reaction to one of your First Time Reaction videos. Like you, I am mesmerized watching the camera work as well as the sound and score, let alone the storyline more than capably acted this fine ensemble. Top-tier film, especially in its genre. Director Denis Villeneuve was appropriately chosen for his eye and creative vision to do "Blade Runner: 2049". BTW: You're only the second person on YT I've come across in many "reaction videos" who brings a bit more technical appreciation and knowledge to your commentary. Good job.
Yar, the cinematography in this film is top notch.
the pacing, from the start of the border op into Juarez to the end with the shoot out at the checkpoint is flawless.
“You’re asking me how a watch works. For now we’ll just keep an eye on the time.” From Alejandro has to be one of my favorite lines ever.
I personally think Emily Blunt's character is meant to embody a lot of the audience, as well as act as a contrast to the displays shown. I think the best scenes would not be nearly as influential if everyone just went along like it was normal and fine, but the fact that she is there freaking out, with the contrast of everyone ELSE acting like everything is fine just makes it so much better. As for he embodying the audience, a lot of people simply have no reference for these kinds of things, or at least no realistic reference. A lot of people who are in the military, people who are comfortable with the military, and especially those kinds of people who are familiar with the heinous activities of the cartels, understand that what is happening is necessary, crucial even, to maintaining national stability and happens everyday. A lot of those people dislike this movie and find Emily Blunt's character incredibly annoying for not understanding that fact. However, I would say that she adds a very important aspect to the film, that being her perspective as an outsider to this grim world, giving us a more visceral and personally relatable portal into this world.
You're correct.
I was annoyed with her at first because realistically she wouldn't have been that uninformed.
I understand people being annoyed at her character, but the things she does are understandable. They keep her in the dark to keep her on board. They need her to stay, to be able to do what they want to, & she wants justice, but also wants to know what’s going on. I end up believing every move she made. It was realistic & understandable. Everything she did made sense, & she stayed with them to find out what was going on, & to make sure someone paid for what happened at the start. This is such a great movie!
I think the dessert shots mixed with the music is portraying a sense of deserting your morals, your limits, and where they are physically. I think the camera moving on during the shots, demonstrates the distance from home you have to travel to meet this enemy on their level. Either way Fantastic movie
Can we consider already Denis Villanueve the Kubrick of our generation?
I wouldn’t put it pass you! Hahaha he’s a worthy challenger
He's more like Ridley Scott, imo. Back when he was good.
Fuck No, dont even bring such a stupid statement to the table.
And before your ego replies, Villanueve would say to shut up too.
Having just been engaged in some conversation about Kubrick and 2001 I have to say that he's better than Kubrick. Villanueve's movies are more accessible to a wider audience, whereas Kubrick's could end up just being weird and confusing, especially to those not well-versed in avant garde film.
I always love me some Sicario Reviews/Reactions
The movie constantly has such a unforgivably oppressive feeling to it and the tension that it builds up is monstrous. And I think what really sells it is the fact that the violence, while undoubtedly brutal, is still within what we know is possible with people (same thing with the movie Prisoners).
The beast. that track alone transformed the movie from a deep blue sea to a jaws. metaphorically.
Great shots is what you get when you team up one of the top directors in the business right now and arguably the best cinematographer to ever put images on film.
This movie is an amazing exercise in the use of light and darkness. Great review!
That border crossing sequence is legendary. The score and the cinematography just build the tension. So sad that Johan Johannsson passed away
It worked together so beautifully. Something so abstract and realistic about it. Literally felt like a symphony
Question, how do you edit these reactions, I've been trying to do it, but can't quite figure out the faded out background and volume with pop up picture in picture? Is there a how to video anywhere on the RUclips?
Villeneuve doesn't miss lads.
Dude is on another level!
better to get more Villeneuve films man. he know how to tell his story thru his cam.. favorite director for sure.
Most definitely, I mean my favorite film is Blade Runner 2049 haha. I have Prisoners on the current polls!
@@JamesVSCinema i remember watchin this on theater. i have to hold my pee till the film end. my God. what an experience..
I don’t think Deakins is capable of a poorly composed shot. A real artist
I've seen this film plenty of times but I still chewed my fingernails to shreds watching this.
I don't know or will have to rewatch this masterpiece to reanalyze those aerial shots but what I remember was being in awe on how good those shots looked as well. Loved your commentary on one of my top Favorite films and what he did to that cartels family, I was no way near to expecting that outcome.
Couldn’t agree more Andy!
Glad I'm not the only one who analyzes story and camera work at the same time. Lol it's a double dose of adrenaline. Most movies that people dont bat an eye at I usually love.
Hahaha agreed William!
Amazing movie. I never get tired of watching it honestly.
That why Officers call being in a car "The Tomb" worst place to be in a gunfight. Rounds go through doors and windows like paper and your mobility and field of fire is sh*t.
You with East India?
seeing the dinner scene for the first time was intense. one of my fav movies.
First vid I see from you,subbed,Sicario is one of my favorite films,loved both of them,wish they'd make a third one,they gotta make another one
alternative title Man praises Sicario for 25 minutes XD
haha nice,gotta check now if u did sicario 2 as well if not plz do :)
Hey thanks! Sicario 2 is actually on the patreon poll if you’d like to check that out and vote!
War is an endless fight against the flaws of humanity and ourselves. Winning one battle barely scratches the surface of most conflicts.
Great film/reaction. For me those aerial shots felt like a blanketing dark cloud is coming their way, like a swarm of silent killer bees. With an ominous feeling.
Hey James your very good at these reaction videos keep it going, your gonna blow up.
Emily Blunt is one of those chicks that'll be hot until she's 90.
her in Edge of Tomorrow. Mmm.... lol
@Carlos Saraiva yeah I'd totally hop on that too, she's the most attractive old woman I think I've ever seen
@kshamwhizzle thing is, these movies she chooses to act in don't pick her because she's a good mother and a good person lol
@Carlos Saraiva yeah she was painfully beautiful when she was young.
@@OhioOwns I just re watched excaliber the other day. She's...distracting in that movie.
One of the best directors working today. Love your channel btw
Thanks Paul that means a lot buddy!
one cool thing is that they used natural light for every outside scenes. The night scene was all natural. I always like when they do that.
CineFix did a really good analysis on the car scene which explains the tension really well. Good video, keep it up!
Hey thanks Jordan! Means a lot hearing that my man, hope you are well my friend!
0:09 wow you've come a long way now to 128K subs
Apart from Black Hawk Down, that trip into Mexico is possibly the most accurate depiction of what a convoy mission is like in Iraq. No small talk, everyone calm but tense, professional because we've done this 100 times. Little reactions from the civilians that suggest there is a system of warnings in place. The reminders that you are unwanted trespassers in a foreign land.
My husband and I randomly threw this on Netflix one night and were STUNNED by the shots in this movie. We would just look over at each other dumfounded. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The score just pulled you in even more and just brought the tension to an all time high. Such a great move. I was disappointed in the second one, the expectations were high.
"Arrival" is another great Dennis film. It brings the same suspense and leaves you on edge the whole time
This Channel is incredible. I can't believe it's under 30,000 subscribers. Remember me when you hit 1,000,00.
Its great to see great actors given material and direction to match their talent as they were in this movie. Brolin and Del Toro also worked together in the totally trippy and underappreciated Paul Thomas Anderson film "Inherent Vice," where they inhabited totally different characters (Brolin especially). Its one of my favorites.
The wide open landscapes remind me of the great unknown. No end in sight. South Texas is like that, intimidating in it's endlessness. It's deafening in it's quiet. You are aware of how small and visible you are in all that openness.
The first arial when the heavy tense music builds up the closer they get to Juarez. It starts close on US side, it looks contained watched and controlled. Then it shows directly above showing us both sides of the boarder. It still give me a sense that it's safe watched under control. Then as each shot gets higher and higher showing how massive the border is and I feel the thought of control, safety and watched leave with each one and then we get the shot of the beast. Everything before was neat, planned out but when we see Juarez it's like looking at a fire, it's everywhere it can burn, no sense of planning, and it's trying to break free of the vain attempt of keeping it under control. In when we are in Juarez we stay in the street we never see where they are going. They are navigating a dangerous and deadly maze, where on any rooftop, around any corner could be an ambush, I never felt they where safe even when surrounded by the Mexican police. Then the crossing, the exit is in sight but Juarez controls this side of the border and it's not going to let them go without a fight. The first time I saw this whole sequence I feel in love with this movie
Just now watching this, crazy u only had 2k subs 10 months ago! Keep up the grind homie
If you love a good set up, watch any Akira Kurosawa film - very much recommend The Seven Samurai
Love those films! Will definitely have to check them out for you guys on the channel
I am a photographer and I love how the lighting in this film was either mostly available light or created with such precision and subtlety that it looked natural. I love to create and shape light as well as exploit natural light when needed and this film is like a master class of beautiful lighting, camera use, compositional elements and textures,
This defo one of my fave movies ever. Sicario 2 is also very decent, but the first movie is soo awesome and well thought out.
Not to even mention 'The Beast' (the soundtrack) of the movie...
5:00 Somehow I believe nobody on earth peeped this but the dude on the left, with a white shirt and black tie is the same guy from Breaking Bad Season 4 finale that asked Jesse _"You wanna cook with a broken arm?"_ Right before Walt swooped in and saved Jesse.
I believe those terrain shots goes to show how peaceful the land can look but in reality it’s in chaos
Best movie reaction ever you do with understanding passion and insight they need to pay you more money
2K in July. 20K in October. great job! Keep doing what you're doing! See you at 50K
One of my favorite movies of all time. So well crafted. Denis Velleneuve is a master and my favorite director currently working.
Another great movie choice, nice job to those voting.
16:07 Though it's been a while since I last saw this and therefore don't remember the specific scenes, I'd probably argue that the aerial and landscape shots are there to portray to us the natural atmosphere(?) of the story itself. To sort of take away the sensations or "movie plot" of it all; that these gruesome and terrible aspects surrounding Mexican cartels is like, as normal and ordinary as dirt or the desert in some of these areas and not just a fun and/or dramatic movie plot. I think it's sorta alike that scene of Brolin yelling at Blunt outside, and how they went with the wide-shot from a distance instead of up-close on their faces. It's sorta antithetical to what movies "should" do, or definitely usually do, because it essentially decreases the emotion and drama, but what it increases is the bleak mood of the story by making all this feel very mundane and ordinary. They're essentially making the plot more boring which under most hands would definitely be a bad risk, but I guess people like Villeneuve and Deakins are masters of their craft for a reason.
I always commend art like that. It’s essentially showing something for literally what it is but through the lens of whoever is wielding the story. Conversations of people yelling can be shot in so many ways but I loved that they had the camera as a wife shot from there. It felt natural, yet..unnatural. All in all it worked super well with the story!
Great movie about my hometown! Love your videos, greetings from Juarez!
Honestly loved this video review - the scene at the border crossing for me is a masterclass of how to build tension with all elements - framing, pace, music, acting with subtle movements. The shots from a bird's eye view of scenery for me shows the beauty and harshness of life how we can have green lush life but arid almost death like parts at the same time. - also can't wait for your review of dune in terms of shots & cinematography
Cartels do things that make ISIL blush, trust me.
The ending scene of the gunshots in the distance while the soccer game keeps going is a symbol that any idea of peace and justice in this landscape is just a child's game.