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| | Salesrank: 148214
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| Our Price: $10.19 |
| Used Price: $1.88 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Syriana is an oil-based soap opera set against the world of global oil cartels. It is to the oil industry as Traffic was to the drug trade (no surprise, since writer/director Stephen Gaghan wrote the screenplay to Traffic): a sprawling attempt to portray the vast political, business, social, and personal implications of a societal addiction, in this case, oil. A major merger between two of the world’s largest oil companies reveals ethical dilemmas for the lawyer charged with making the deal (Jeffrey Wright), and major global implications beyond the obvious; a CIA operative (George Clooney) discovers the truth about his work, and the people he works for; a young oil broker (Matt Damon) encounters personal tragedy, then partners with an idealistic Gulf prince (Alexander Siddig) attempting to build a new economy for his people, only to find he’s opposed by powers far beyond his control. Meanwhile, disenfranchised Pakistani youths are lured into terrorism by a radical Islamic cleric. And that’s just the start. As in Traffic, in one way or another all of the characters’ fates are tied to each other, whether they realize it or not, though the connections are sometimes tenuous. While Syriana is basically a good film with timely resonance, it can’t quite seem to measure up to Gaghan’s ambitious vision and it very nearly collapses under the weight of its many storylines. Fortunately they are resolved skillfully enough to keep the film from going under in the end. To some viewers, Syriana will seem like an unfocused and over-loaded film that goes, all at once, everywhere and nowhere. Others will find it to be an important work earnestly exploring major issues. In either case, it’s a film that deserves to be taken seriously, and it’s likely to be one that will be talked about for a long time to come. --Dan Vancini
Syriana Reviews:
Shoulda passed. 
2009-11-20 - RS Steube is accurate - and the movie was not for me. It wasn't "bad", but it wasn't "good" either. And more resembled a TV mini-series lumped together for a few hour movie. Barely 2 stars.
Cold War Attitudes in Remarkably Incoherent Film 
2009-11-07 - I have to admit this was far too artsy a production for me. None of the characters were sufficiently defined to care about, none of the action sufficiently comprehensible to break through the torpor induced by the cross-cutting of scenes and characters. The cynicism which was the hallmark of fine cold war films, was marked, but I was led to indifference since it was all puppetry devoid of human characteristics. I shouldn't think any blame accrues to the actors whose playing seemed to be in tune with the desires of writers and the director; George Clooney, in particular, is to be congratulated for his heroic underplaying which dimmed his impact to near zero.
Over-all, it was quite an achievement to convert a hot issue into a bedtime story.
SYRIANA DVD REVIEW
2009-10-17 - THIS MOVIE IS A GREAT PORTRAYAL ON HOW EVIL THIS COUNTRY IS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
Disjointed, non-linear indeed 
2009-10-14 - I found this movie in the $5 bargain box (along with a bunch of other movies I had never heard of) at Walmart. Sad to say, I wasted my money.
Writer and Director Stephen Gaghan tries to define himself for a new generation, but all that he delivers is an abortion of a motion picture. The only option for this bloody mess is to throw it in the trash, which is what I did.
The best scene was when the main character was being tortured; as the viewer, I could sympathize as I felt equally tortured watching this movie.
I actually laughed out loud during the extra features when George Clooney related how anxious his fellow stars were to get a part in the film (I wonder how they feel about it now). "Clooney the Looney" indeed.
If you want taut, intelligent drama, watch Spielberg's MUNICH instead of this force-fed globetrotting disaster - SYRIANA is one of the worst films I've ever seen.
empty DVD case
2009-09-10 - I got an empty DVD case - I notified the vendor and got a prompt credit, but no DVD
