Sicario (15)

THE so-called war on drugs is a phrase often used by politicians to win votes.

But Canadian director Denis Villeneuve actually makes the border area between the United States and Mexico feel like a warzone in his thriller, Sicario.

A drug cartel is portrayed as being as organised as the government task force sent to tackle them with almost all local resistance bought off.

But while the US agents are tied to rules of engagement and reports justifying their actions, the ruthless and brutal gang members have no code beyond violence and a fierce grip on control.

Villeneuve ratchets up the tension with an intense soundtrack which complements a number of gripping and gritty scenes which show how high the stakes are.

The viewer's entry point into this grim world is idealistic FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) who wants to fight the 'disease' rather than the 'symptoms' of the gang's stranglehold after a horrifying discovery in Arizona.

Blunt is excellent as a principled agent who soon finds herself out of her depth when she is caught up in a hidden agenda.

Josh Brolin plays to his strengths as cocksure agent Matt Graver but Benicio Del Toro steals the show as the mysterious Alejandro.

Sicario is immaculately shot, explores the grey areas between good and evil and goes some way of reinforcing the general feeling that fighting the war on drugs – at least by the book – is like fighting the tide.

But while Sicario looks superb and has plenty of shock value, the film fails to have a lasting emotional impact while some elements of the plot are unconvincing.

Nevertheless, Villeneuve's films like Prisoners and Enemy have a way of getting under your skin and this is no different.

RATING 7.5/10

DAVID MORGAN