Gavin Hood directs Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul and Alan Rickman in this drone based war film.

Involving as an emotional and intellectual debate, this dry little thriller tries to be 12 Angry Men / Fail Safe on the current big issues of drone warfare and collateral damage. And quite impressively almost meets that self-imposed high standard. The dialogue could be a bit meatier but really the consistently muscular cast add flavour to the proceedings even when the script falters on them. Nice to see Captain Philip’s breakout actor Barkhad Abdi impress again in another well written part but it’s Rickman in his penultimate big screen turn that steals the show. Thank goodness this late bow leave his marvellously unique acting reputation not just intact but given an additional bit of spit and polish. He alone is  worth your tenner’s admission.

7