Eagles Of The Republic (15)
Directed by Tarik Saleh
★★★☆☆

HERE is the gist of it. A fictitious, publicly revered actor in Egypt, George Fahmy (a confused Fares Fares), a politically liberal and nebulously progressive philanderer, has his arms twisted (by a Corleone-style offer he ultimately dare not refuse) into accepting the lead in a cinematic paean to the current president el-Sisi.

At the same time he is courted by the titular Eagles Of The Republic — a bunch of putschists, presumably in cahoots with the Muslim Brotherhood, plotting to have el-Sisi terminated.

The intended seamless weaving of political satire and thriller formulas never comes off despite sterling efforts by the cast and commendable cinematography. The result is neither fish nor fowl compounded by the plodding evolution of the narrative and disappointingly superficial plot lines.

Tarik Saleh, the writer and director, was born in Sweden, and the Lebanese Fares moved there in the aftermath of the civil war in Lebanon of the 1980s and that separation tells. “Eagles” concludes Saleh’s Cairo Trilogy which included Boy from Heaven (2022) and The Nile Hilton Incident (2017).

Perhaps the mere fact that it could never have been shot in situ tells you more about Egypt than the film ultimately does. Neither Dr Strangelove nor The Parallax View, Eagles Of Republic only engages intermittently to ultimately disillusion.

The trustworthy “Tomatometer” of Rotten Tomatoes gives it 76 per cent rate of approval and that is better than could be anticipated.
MB
In cinemas May 22

The Balloonists (PG)
Director John Dower
★★★☆☆ 

AWARD-winning documentary filmmaker John Dower gives you a front-row seat to watch how Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard and British flying instructor Brian Jones took on the world’s leading pilots and billionaire adventurers in 1999 to become the first to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon. 

It is one thrilling and nail-biting ride as the improbable duo describe in detail their dangerous undertaking in intimate interviews, alongside Brian’s wife Jo who was a member of the control room team, the flight’s meteorologist who played a key role, plus Bertrand’s previous co-pilot turned rival. 

The blow-by-blow accounts of their three-week flight are heightened by the extensive archival footage on the ground and in the air which puts you right there with them. It is both exhilarating and terrifying particularly if, like me, you are frightened of heights. 

Dower delivers a powerful underdog story of determination, resilience and a remarkable bonding experience. 
MD
In cinemas May 22

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (12A)
Directed by Jon Favreau 
★★★☆☆

CONTINUING on from the end of the Mandalorian television series, the Empire has fallen and the legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu are hired by the fledgling New Republic to hunt down an Imperial warlord.  

Since I have a soft spot for this dynamic duo and the adorable Grogu in particular, I was happy to overlook the film’s shortcomings, its simple plot and lacklustre dialogue. Even though it features Sigourney Weaver, Grogu completely steals the film, alongside the bickering Anzellans. Grogu’s hilarious interactions with the wonderful Pascal as Mando were the highlight of this adventure for me. 

Co-written and directed by Jon Favreau and shot in IMAX, the action scenes are impressive although the fight sequences felt repetitive after a while. 

That said, it is a fun watch and needs to be seen in IMAX.
MD
In cinemas May 22

Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War (15)
Directed by Andrew Bernstein 
★★★☆☆

JOHN KRASINSKI reprises his role as CIA agent Jack Ryan in this old fashion styled spy thriller which picks up where the television series ended three years ago. 

Ryan, a civilian working in Wall Street, reluctantly agrees to help his friend James Greer (Wendell Pierce), now the new CIA deputy director, on a mission in Dubai. He is reunited with Mike November (Michael Kelly), who provides the light relief, and teams up with MI6 agent Emma Marlow (Sienna Miller), who is more than his match, to stop a former spook turned villain played by Max Beesley.  

Directed by Andrew Bernstein (Jack Ryan TV series) and co-written by Krasinski and Aaron Rabin, it is an action-packed drama shot mainly in London and Dubai. However the plot seems a touch incongruous in the wake of the Trump administration. 

It looks slick and stylish and the car chase scenes through central London and Whitehall are impressive, especially on the big screen which I was very fortunate to see it on.

It is an enjoyable ride. 
MD
Available on Prime Video now