Hirsch fans will be pleased with his performance in the film but perhaps not with the overall production itself. Hirsch’s character, Etan, is given a loving family, a complex moral compass, and hints of a redemption arc. Although the character has outlets that allow for exploration of his being, Etan is reduced to intense glares, stilted lines, and underwhelming action shots. Avi parallels Etan’s background but is instead estranged from his ex-wife and daughter. Viewers are treated to a few scenes that show him attempting to win back their favor as he hunts down one of the most dangerous men on the planet. Bonnani also does well in his portrayal, but his character suffers from a more story-driven plot.      

Action Miscues

One of the creative liberties Abeckaser and Kondilopoulos didn’t take was gratuitous action. Perhaps in an attempt to stick to historical events, audiences are only shown several explosions, a few interrogation scenes, and a shootout meant to serve as the climactic finale. This wouldn’t be as much of an issue if all other aspects of the film were able to deliver at a high level, but instead, the movie seems to be at odds with itself throughout. The third act doesn’t give as much payoff as fans would hope for, even considering the relatively small time investment. The Engineer could’ve been somewhat salvaged with a thrilling conclusion, but each moment in the final act unfolds with little to no twists or turns for the viewers to enjoy. Any time the protagonists reach a roadblock, they’re presented with a rectifying opportunity almost immediately. Audience members are perhaps given the impression the mission was easy, which, of course, is far from the truth. 

Although not an issue leading up to the film’s climax, the final sequence and what could’ve been is undermined by awkward angles and shaky camera work. Camera shake can indeed add an element of thrill to an action scene when done correctly, but the effort falls short here. During the shootout, the camera also appears to be too far away from the actors and gives an appearance that can take viewers out of the excitement that’s happening right before them. Between the cinematography and the protagonists emptying their clips with little effect, the task of suspending disbelief is likely too tall for the average movie-goer.       

Final Thoughts

The Engineer is far from the worst movie released in the past ten years, but it’s also short of anything remarkable. The movie holds value as a vaguely accurate retelling of the Ayyash manhunt, but it doesn’t go beyond that. The lack of character development causes the film to fall well short of other productions meant to depict historical events. Zero Dark Thirty and Argo stand as fairly recent triumphs within this realm.    

Watch The Engineer, available for rent and purchase on Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV. MovieSphere subscribers are also currently given access to their membership.