The implacable thriller Eagle Eye, for some reason our distributors renamed the film “On the Hook”, is both a clichéd American movie with the corresponding pathetics and a vivid example of how to shoot such pictures at a high professional level. No wonder Steven Spielberg himself appears as the executive producer of the movie, and famous actors are involved in the work on the project. “On the Hook” is an interesting thriller with an intriguing plot, wild rhythm and an unrealistic action in the best traditions of Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay.
Plot idea
The fact that the basis of the thriller script is based on the novel of the same name by S. Spielberg was known exclusively by the entire group of creators, including actors. “On the hook” the famous director could not film, as he was busy returning to the great movie the legendary archaeologist Indiana. Spielberg's idea was born back in the late 90s, but the great director was waiting for that period in the development of technology when electronics would penetrate absolutely all spheres of human life. According to screenwriter Alex Kurtzman, who had to adapt the story to the script structure, the author wanted to achieve such an effect that the viewer, after watching, in a panic state, would turn off mobile phones. The actors invited to the project should have created such a tense atmosphere. "On the hook" was to excite everyone.
Guarantee of success
Representing the executive producer of the film as a hypostasis, Spielberg invited to take on the director's chair of DJ Jay Caruso, who became famous after the remake of Hitchcock's “Windows into the Courtyard” - the film “Paranoia” - and the sports drama “Money for Two”. Shia LaBeouf was invited to the main role, whose presence in a particular film is considered a guarantee of the success of the project. Moreover, the actor already had experience working with Caruso in Paranoia and Spielberg in the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. His companion was the charming Michelle Monaghan, who was familiar to the audience by the roles of wild Harmony in “Kiss on the Fly” and cute Miranda in “Girl of My Nightmares”. As it becomes clear, famous and familiar actors were invited to the role of central characters. “On the hook”, already because of the above-mentioned names of the creators and performers of the main roles, can be positioned as a treat, pleasantly smelling and very juicy in taste.
Plot
The main character, an idler Jerry Shaw, unlike his twin brother, who builds a career, burns his life aimlessly . But the sudden tragic death of his brother-careerist, shrouded in mysterious circumstances, fundamentally changes the existence of Jerry. Now he, along with Rachel Hallman, is embroiled in a strange story. After one phone call, the heroes become puppets in the hands of criminal elements planning to commit political assassination. In order to interfere with the implementation of the criminal plan and to whitewash their reputation, the characters strive to comply with all orders dictated by an unknown female voice over the phone.
Acting Ensemble
In addition to the central characters, all world film critics singled out agent Thomas Morgan, calling him "character-with-character." The role of the agent was played by Billy Bob Thornton, a famous actor, director and screenwriter, singer. He is known to a wide audience after the Oscar-winning drama “The Sharpened Blade” (1996), in which he performed in three guises: a stage director, a leading actor, and a screenwriter.
The role of Toby Grand was played by Ethan Embry. The actor began his creative career at a fairly early adolescence - at less than 13 years old. Before the start of the 2000s, he managed to play several major roles in several comedy films, including Vacation in Vegas and I Can't Wait. The actor also played a central role in one of the series “The Show Begins”. Ethan Embry in childhood and adolescence was professionally engaged in gymnastics, thanks to this, most of the tricks during the filming are performed independently.
Supporters
American actor Michael Charles Chiklis embodied on the screen the image of the US Secretary of Defense. For most viewers, the actor is known for the series Shield. However, in addition to this, Michael Chiklis starred in American Horror Story, Vegas, The Extraordinary Family, and the Fantastic Four, 2 films. In addition to the above paintings, the filmography of the actor has a lot of films and series in which the actor flashed in episodic and secondary roles: “Law of Los Angeles”, “Miami Police”, “Seinfeld”, “Murphy Brown”, “Clever”.
William Sadler appeared before the viewer in the image of William Shaw. The actor began his creative career in the late 70s, playing roles mainly in television series and films. In the 80s and 90s, his career was marked by participation in major blockbusters of that time period: “Fraud”, “Death Despite”, “Die Hard 2”, “Playing with Fire”. After a series of fighters, the actor’s filmography was diluted with roles in the comedy “The New Adventure of Bill and Ted”, in the science fiction film “Obrazina” and the horror film “Obscene Behavior”.
Other actors who took part in the thriller “On the Hook” are also known to the audience. Rosario Dawson is remembered for People in Black 2 and Sin City, and Anthony Mackie played memorable roles in 8 Mile, Hollywood Cops, and Million Dollar Baby.