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Created Dec 27, 2009 11:03AM PST • Edited Dec 27, 2009 11:03AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   Body of Lies is a solidly performing spy thriller that could have relied on 9-11 sentiments for momentum, but doesn’t. Instead, it uses a little bit of those sentiments as a background for a good story that questions how allegiances are formed and kept when it often isn’t easy to tell who is really on your side, and when the enemy is fanatically dedicated to your destruction. See this movie if you are a spy thriller fan, someone who likes action and suspense, enjoys new angles on current events, or just want to have a good time for a few hours.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   The young, energetic and somewhat idealistic CIA operative played by Leonardo DeCaprio is balanced by the seasoned and wiser Russel Crowe and the hard-edged Jordanian intelligence officer played by Mark Strong. The three work well together and lift up each other’s performances. All three deliver strong performances, yet none seem to stand out on their own.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    As is common with many films of this genre lately, the use of high-tech communications, satellite telemetry, and sophisticated weaponry forms a modern partnership between armed forces and on-the-ground intelligence services is awesome to watch, and the realization that even all that isn’t enough to combat the realities in the middle-east makes it all the more interesting to see.

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Good 3.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.0

17. Sex Titillating 2.0

18. Violence Fierce 2.0

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.3

23. Biological Glib 1.3

24. Physical Glib 1.3