Sicario Review - 3 Stars

“Sicario” takes us to the bleak Arizona desert where the cartels continue to win the never-ending drug wars.  As the story begins we meet Emily Blunt, a take no prisoners FBI agent on a raid that ends with shock and disaster.  From this opening scene we get a sense that things can blow up in Blunt’s face at any time.  Assigned to a mysterious group, she begins working with Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro who give her little or no information about their mission.  “Sicario” unfolds as a mystery seen through the eyes of the relative innocent Blunt, who almost pays for her innocence with her life.  I got a knot in my stomach early on.  That knot stayed for the entire film.  I can’t call this fun to watch but it certainly engages — in fact “Sicario” grabs you and never lets go.  Note the R rating which is for violence, as in one of the most violent movies of the season.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Drug wars with no holds barred.  Is it entertaining?  Gripping.  Is it worth the price of admission?  A heart pounding thriller that’s sometimes hard to watch.