davideo-2
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning This curiously old fashioned (in terms of style and presentation) thriller was released in 2007 but has the look of a film from about 1997. However old it looks, though, it's got a story torn straight from today's headlines with it's themes of suicide bombings and brain washings of young muslims into fanatical extremism, and even more so about them being homegrown. The opening gambit of an innocent man being shot by armed police is also an obvious slant with the real life shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes. However, none of it is presented in a dark, foreboding sort of way, more in the style of a slick, efficient thriller like in the style of an episode of The Bill. While none of it offers any serious food for thought, it's well made and enjoyable enough on this level. ***
simonsalias
I'm failing to understand how anybody could give this more than three or four stars. Everything about it reeks of ITV drama; the entire premise has been simplified to a ridiculous point and the presence of serious budget restrictions are hard to ignore. Anyone who has complemented the soundtrack should get their ears checked, along with the rapid scene changes it just adds to the undue sense of melodrama.I was going to give one star but the performances of the lead characters deserve more than that. However the supporting cast are just shocking - although I feel a lot of this is due to the unnatural dialogue in the script.How this ever made it onto the big screen is beyond me.
Jay Harris
Shoot on Sight is about a police investigation of the death of a Muslim by a Police Officer in the wake of the London Subway terrorist attack.What makes this film stand out. in fact way above most films of this type is that all sides of the issue are presented. We go into a mosque.we meet an Iman & other Muslims/ The chief police inspector is a Muslim superbly acted by an Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, we meet his family,He is married to a Christian. Greta Scacchi,she sure is a superb actress.Brian Cox is the head police inspector,giving another brilliant performance.The director Jag Mundhra is from India & directs this drama expertly.What I especially liked was the fact, that we can easily transpose the Muslims, into Black, Jewish, Gay or any oppressed minority.. The film explores prejudice & our suspicions on people we think might be up to no good.Regretfully not many people saw this, as it had a very limited theatrical run. Which to me is a shame.The production is first rate.Since this is a police procedural type film, many scenes will be familiar. This cannot be helped.The film should be seen by all thinking people, no matter what our beliefs of feelings are.Ratings: ***1/2 (out of 4) 94 points (out of 100) IMDb 9 (out of 10)
Herag Halli
I was never impressed with Jag Mundhra as a good director. He was an underestimated film-maker, not till you see "Shoot on Sight". This is a bold venture for any film-maker because of the content-but Mundhra cleverly dissects the message. The script was tight with some great dialog. Om Puri, is good in whatever he does since he has the diction which comes handy for a Preacher/Military Commander or any character that he may chose to portray. Nasirudeen Shah is good. The background music was good. I was impressed by the movie since it had no dull moments.The direction by Mundhra was an ace. It was very clever to have the British Characters speak (or dub) in Hindi and English. This makes it appealing to the narration. I enjoyed watching this movie setting aside the underlying sentiments.
AD
