:: Munich

Steven Spielberg has done it again! He’s created yet another controversial masterpiece that’s destined to top the box office. ‘Munich’ is no skip in the park, unlike Spielberg’s previous movies, with the likes of ‘Jaws’, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Hook’, but is more a showcase of his own personal ideals. If you think you know what happened at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games because it was broadcast in front of your eyes, then you’re wrong: eleven Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian terrorists but the retributions which followed were a secret long held by the Israeli government. ‘Munich’ uncovers the aftermath to these murders.

A secret assassination squad called ‘Operation Wrath of God’, lead by Israeli, Avner (Eric Bana), avenge the Palestinian organisers of the attack on the Israeli athletes at Munich. From here, there are bombs, bombs and more bombs. Limbs strewn across hotel rooms, close up views of gunshot wounds, sex scenes involving a pregnant lady. Sounds pretty good if you’re a teenage boy. Luckily, ‘Munich’ is more than inhumane death.

The story follows Judaic Avner and how, although he is bent on the destruction of the terrorist leaders, the mission changes him for better or worse. There is also a touch of remorse for the wanted masterminds as we see them as loving fathers and husbands and generally nice people.

Bana’s performance was not on par with his brilliant performance in ‘Chopper’, particularly as his attempt of a Middle-Eastern accent did not make the already complex plot easier to understand. The European setting, such as the streetscapes of Paris, Rome, and London were beautiful as were some of the background costumes with their 1970’s haute couture flair.

‘Munich’ is right in your face but drags towards the end. Avner asks his team whether the bloodshed would end even if all eleven Palestinian masterminds behind the attack were killed. Would it continue on forever?