Eagle Eye - C+

On DVD

Disturbia, the first collaboration between director D.J. Caruso and star Shia Lebeouf ripped off Rear Window shamelessly, almost a shot-for-shot remake. But it remained entertaining throughout and knew what it was. Eagle Eye, their follow-up, rips off any number of Hitchcock’s “wrong man” films and throws in elements of 2001: A Space Odyssey for good measure. LeBeouf plays Jerry Shaw, an underachieving slacker who’s framed for being a terrorist after lots of firearms and chemicals are found in his apartment. He meets Rachel (Michelle Monaghan), whose kidnapped son’s life is in danger if she doesn’t comply with demands. They’re being guided by a strange female voice that seems to have control over anything electronic: cell phones, trains, traffic lights, etc. Rosario Dawson and Billy Bob Thornton play 2 investigators hot on their trail . . .

LeBeouf’s naturalistic acting draws you into the movie at first as he/we try to figure out what’s going on. He’s likable, relaxed, and mildly humorous – everything we’ve come to expect. His speech on the bus about his brother was surprisingly moving. Thornton has some hilarious lines as he channels Tommy Lee Jones’s Fugitive performance. Monaghan and Dawson are OK, but have been better elsewhere. Caruso creates enough tension and stages some terrific car crashes in the first half. But the plot is far-fetched (at best) to begin with and becomes increasingly preposterous as the film progresses. By the third act, the incredulousness of the action scenes and plot twists outweigh the pretty good set-up and good performances of the actors. The date on many of the security cameras has the film taking place on 1/26/09. But the film already feels hopelessly outdated. LeBeouf and Monaghan visit a Circuit City (now bankrupt and liquidated) and the President and his cabinet are accused of treason. That’s so Bush era. C+