Technology is everywhere in "Eagle Eye," a sometimes entertaining conspiracy thriller that makes a lot of noise but doesn't have much to say. Director D.J. Caruso gives us cellphones as tracking devices, menacing television displays that show your children are being followed, and street-corner LCD readouts that spell out your name.

The targets of this espionage are Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) and Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan). Investigators believe that Jerry and Rachel are part of a plot being orchestrated in response to a U.S. raid on the far side of the globe that blew up a possible terrorist target. Ending up in the 36th-floor basement of the Pentagon, we learn of a fictional government surveillance program.

Caruso works hard to deliver a twist, but mainly he is in love with moviemaking technology. He brings us boom-boom noise that comes in the form of exploding cars, missiles slamming into things, predator drones, and a thunderous musical score.

"Eagle Eye" seeks to disturb us with the notion that our paranoia is justified, but its ideas turn out to be pedestrian, and reality, which needs to be at least in shouting distance in these kinds of things, gets left behind.

This is too bad. With a more nuanced idea of paranoia and the ills of technology, the movie could have been both entertaining and disturbing. Deafening isn't quite the same thing.

 

VOCABULARY      词汇积累

 

1. pedestrian  (adj.)   单调的；呆板的
It's a pedestrian movie plot.
这是个单调的电影情节。

2. conspiracy  (n.)   阴谋；谋反
In the end the conspiracy was brought to light.
阴谋终于败露。

3. street-corner   街角的；街头的
例句请见本文。

4. espionage  (n.)   间谍组织；间谍活动
The episode could reasonably serve as a unique epic of royal espionage!
这一事件理所当然地堪称是国王间谍活动的的独一无二的史诗。

5. to be orchestrated   策划；执行
Officials say the attack was orchestrated by a militant group.
官方称这次袭击是一激进团体策划的。

6. to blow up   破坏；破获
I can't possibly blow up his plan.
我不能使他的计划失败。

7. predator drone   无人侦察机
例句请见本文。

8. thunderous  (adj.)   震耳欲聋的；轰隆作响的
As soon as he finished his speech, thunderous applause broke out.
他刚讲完话，便响起了雷鸣般的掌声。

9. paranoia  (n.)   偏执狂；妄想症
Paranoia reigns among the people, causing much marital conflict.
偏执狂现象在人群中很盛行，引起了许多婚姻纠纷。

10. in shouting distance   近距离；在乎喊听得到的距离
例句请见本文。