Shoot on Sight (2007) Reviews

• Solid drama with good points

  Halfang2008-08-25

  I just came from the cinema from watching "Shoot on Sight". I have to say that the tag line cached my attention since I first saw it, being interested in the movie itself, and what was it about. Being a Criminology student, it's not hard to find interesting how people react to racism, and how people sometimes overreact to it. Some good points are made on that respect (when Ali learns about the wife of the "racist" cop, for example). Now, getting into the movie itself, it looks like a TV-drama. It's not a judgement, it's just an opinion that doesn't either make it good or bad. Some of the plot related elements look a bit forced, in order to make the characters more "popular" amongst the public, I guess. The pace is steady, and the movie doesn't refrain from giving some "shock moments", which I particularly love. This makes the whole thing a bit real. However, don't expect great shoot-outs, people jumping on the air whilst firing two guns, or people shooting to the air and shouting "AAAAH" (see Hot Fuzz). It has action, understand me, but in a more steady way. However, the important thing about the movie (and basically what I went to see it for) is the plot, and what it deals with. Islamic terrorism is something quite present on British society, and even more present in London, and even talking about it might be seen by some as racism. As one of the characters say, not all Muslims are Islamic terrorists, but all the Islamic terrorists are Muslim. Again, not being racist, just realistic. The film manages to stay in a neutral position, and not failing in a pro-Islams/anti-Islams position (which I feared, to be honest). It is neither a terrorist manifesto, nor an auto-criminalisation of all Muslims. Stays well balanced in very unstable grounds. I gave it a 8/10. Worth watching.

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• Chilling and incisive thriller about Islamic terrorism

  srsimpoo2008-01-16

  I watched the film 'Shoot On Sight' at Dubai festival and I must say it was one of the best films I have ever seen on the rise of Islamic terrorism in the 21st century. No western filmmaker, so far, has been able to understand why Islamic terrorists blast others and kill themselves. But director Jag Mundhra depicts the diatribe of hate-preachers in a powerful as well as chilling style. Om Puri's performance as Imam gives you goose pimples, particularly, when he incites mobs not to treat westerners innocents. He puts a spin on who is and who isn't innocent. He asks that those who kill and maim in Iraq and Palestine- are they innocent? I came out of the theatre so shocked and well-informed in a positive way. The great thing about 'Shoot On Sight' is its pace. It moves like a taut thriller but at the same time offers incisive understanding of how Islamic terrorists are recruited. And, yet the film is largely sympathetic to Islam and its followers. The film offers memorable performances by Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. Greta Scacchi, Ralph Ineson, Brian Cox and Laila Rouass also came up with credible performances. Sadie Frost, I'm sorry to say, was disappointing and so was the music of the film leaving much to be desired. Frost was expression less and Altman's music had no Islamic or for that matter South Asian soul. I'll give four stars out of five to 'Shoot On Sight' because it documents the menace of Islamic terrorism in such a powerful, entertaining and yet

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• Excellent

  shan-cambon2017-03-09

  I voted more because of the idea conveyed by this movie, even if it is not the best. I did not like the title All Catholics are not Pedophiles, all Muslims are not Terrorists! One can not mix religion and evil people. This movie - a fiction - is excellent to remind viewers that good Muslims are suffering too. Terrorists are like leaven poisoning the world with false teaching.

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• To say this is a first rate film is not saying enough.

  jaybob2009-04-29

  Shoot on Sight is about a police investigation of the death of a Muslim by a Police Officer in the wake of the London Subway terrorist attack. What makes this film stand out. in fact way above most films of this type is that all sides of the issue are presented. We go into a mosque.we meet an Iman & other Muslims/ The chief police inspector is a Muslim superbly acted by an Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, we meet his family,He is married to a Christian. Greta Scacchi,she sure is a superb actress. Brian Cox is the head police inspector,giving another brilliant performance. The director Jag Mundhra is from India & directs this drama expertly. What I especially liked was the fact, that we can easily transpose the Muslims, into Black, Jewish, Gay or any oppressed minority.. The film explores prejudice & our suspicions on people we think might be up to no good. Regretfully not many people saw this, as it had a very limited theatrical run. Which to me is a shame. The production is first rate. Since this is a police procedural type film, many scenes will be familiar. This cannot be helped. The film should be seen by all thinking people, no matter what our beliefs of feelings are. Ratings: ***1/2 (out of 4) 94 points (out of 100) IMDb 9 (out of 10)

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• Intriguing Movie.

  Herag2008-11-16

  I was never impressed with Jag Mundhra as a good director. He was an underestimated film-maker, not till you see "Shoot on Sight". This is a bold venture for any film-maker because of the content-but Mundhra cleverly dissects the message. The script was tight with some great dialog. Om Puri, is good in whatever he does since he has the diction which comes handy for a Preacher/Military Commander or any character that he may chose to portray. Nasirudeen Shah is good. The background music was good. I was impressed by the movie since it had no dull moments.The direction by Mundhra was an ace. It was very clever to have the British Characters speak (or dub) in Hindi and English. This makes it appealing to the narration. I enjoyed watching this movie setting aside the underlying sentiments.

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