Antena 3 Films, Working Title Films, Relativity Media, Studio Canal and Universal Pictures.

Written By: Brian Helgeland, based on the book by Rajiv Chandrasekaran.

Following their groundbreaking successes with the Jason Bourne films, (The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Ultimatum), director Paul Greengrass and actor Matt Damon collaborate for a third time in the latest of a steady stream of Iraqi War-themed films, “Green Zone”. Placing the viewer in 2003, in the days following Saddam Hussein’s disappearance and President George W. Bush’s (in)famous declaration of “Mission Accomplished”, “Green Zone” aims for a gutpunch of strong reaction and lands something more akin to a glancing blow. While Paul Greengrass has infused political commentary rather masterfully in his previous features, “Green Zone”, though impressively mounted, struggles to coalesce into the significant message film it desperately wants to be.

The plot, now a cliche of our recent history, is nonetheless intriguing. Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller (Matt Damon) leads a team of Army inspectors into Baghdad to investigate and uncover “confirmed” locations of stockpiled Weapons of Mass Destruction. After some failed intelligence has led Miller and his team to a third treacherous dead end, Miller starts asking questions. Viewed as insolent by his commanding officers, a knowing CIA operative on the ground in Baghdad (Brendan Gleeson) confirms Miller’s growing suspicions; specifically that the entire war effort may be nothing more than a red herring. Miller begins to question the purpose of the invasion of Iraq and the intelligence he is charged with executing.

Back in Washington, Clark Poundstone (Greg Kinnear) serves as the lead Special Intelligence Officer for the Pentagon and has a direct connection with Wall Street Journal reporter, Lawrie Dayne (Amy Ryan). Poundstone holds Dayne at bay with insider knowledge and tidbits about the government’s operations, while growing increasingly concerned over Miller’s perceived insubordination. Dayne, curious about the now publicized failure to find WMD’s in Iraq, starts an investigation of her own in an effort to determine how the intel can be seemingly so inept. Miller’s inquries, Dayne’s investigation, and government cover-ups all segueway into the roof being ripped off what may ultimately be some rather nefarious reasons as to why the U.S. went to war with Iraq in the first place.

So much of “Green Zone” works when dissected. Matt Damon has become as comfortable with Paul Greengrass as Leonardo DiCaprio is with Martin Scorsese. Damon seems confident and alive in playing Miller. Although not given a lot to do, Amy Ryan handles her scenes with the right sense of distrust and skepticism, playing essentially the Judith Miller role here. Greg Kinnear is a bit stock and familiar, but succeeds well enough as Poundstone, playing basically former U.S. Administrator to Iraq, Paul Bremer, here.

The one standout is Khalid Abdalla, who portrays Freddy, a local Iraqi civilian who Miller befriends and as Miller learns, knows a whole lot more about what’s happening on the ground then the U.S. government seemingly does. Freddy provides heart and an emotional connection to the story, a nice contrast to the kinetic and anxious fight sequences. Abdalla’s impressive work as a lead hijacker in Greengrass’ “United 93″ and as the lead in “The Kite Runner” is only amplified by yet another understated but impressive performance.

Much of the film is shot impressively well. Greengrass can frame and construct “as if you were there” action sequences with the best of them and his use of Oscar-nominated cinematographer Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker) reaps some strong visual rewards. Technically, the film is rather seamlessly executed, although those sensitive to motion sickness should be advised, or reminded, that Greengrass has never met a tripod he has ever liked.

With premise in place, the film has a political bent and agenda and stands firm in its assertions. For those on one side of the political aisle, this undoubtedly will rankle those who believe that the Iraq war was about more than just leveraging an ability to seize and control the world’s largest oil supply. Paul Greengrass and Oscar-winning screenwriter Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River), inspired by the non-fiction award winning investigative piece, “Imperial Life In The Emerald City” by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, craft a political thriller that from all accounts should serve as riveting and thought-provoking. Yet, the screenplay is the significant reason why “Green Zone” fails to connect all of its dots.

Greengrass seems to let “Green Zone” get away from him. The action sequences a times feel long and drawn out visually. The screenplay builds to a nice but practically illogical assertion that those soldiers entrenched on the ground sounded the alarm which exposed the reality that there were no Weapons of Mass Destruction present in Iraq. Certainly that narrative makes for wonderful theater, but Helgeland and Greengrass seem to want to have it both ways. On occasion, you can layer fact on top of fiction and the overriding message can still break through. With “Green Zone”, we all know the history of the mistakes made in going to war in Iraq. Here, those errors are present alongside outright fabrications and half-truths. This film’s message, perhaps even in spite of being told numerous times before, should still resonate with power because we have come to expect that from a Paul Greengrass film. Unfortunately, the screenplay, as constructed, dilutes the message and renders the film a tired and repetitive exercise.

Frustratingly, “Green Zone” does so much right though. As I consider the film again and again, I can praise it effusively on the one hand and then quickly dismiss it on the other. So, although I try to avoid belaboring on a film’s “Star Rating”, after much thought I am going to begrudgingly play it down the middle.

Some will love “Green Zone” and some will hate it. I, on the other hand, admired the attempt enough to recommend “Green Zone” as a technically sound action movie with just enough interesting components that can hold at bay some rather notable script deficiencies.

Should I See It?

Paul Greengrass is an excellent filmmaker whose approach to action movies is refreshing and unique. The qualities that set apart The Bourne movies from other action franchises are on display and set this film apart from other Iraqi-war action films.

Strong performances keep the film centered with the characters in important times and the film does balance nicely between action and drama.

For those who stand against the U.S. war efforts in Iraq (and while not the focus here, Afghanistan as well), this will be thought-provoking message-driven entertainment.

The action sequences can feel overlong and tiresome. For those who cannot handle handheld, embedded, shaky camera work, this technique is constantly utilized.

The ending. Admirable in theory, laughable when compared to history. This could prove to be a dealbreaker for those who have invested in a film that presents as believable through and through.

Supporters of the U.S. involvement in Iraq (and while not the focus here, Afghanistan as well) will find this film as perhaps nothing more than Hollywood liberal propaganda. Trying to Impartially analyze the film, I can see those individuals being rather angry with the film’s statements.

One person complained that the film was “overshot”. In reference to jump cuts and frenetic editing in the action sequences, this may be a valid complaint.