Shock and Awe

Four veteran journalists, working for the Knight Ridder news organization, risk their careers to pursue a story that the Bush administration is manipulating public opinion to justify an invasion of Iraq. Their pursuit of the truth leads them to uncover evidence that the rationale for war is based on flawed intelligence.

Shock and Awe received generally negative reviews from critics, with many finding the film to be a didactic and uninspired retelling of a familiar story. While some acknowledged the importance of the subject matter, they felt the execution lacked nuance and dramatic tension.

• The film feels like a history lesson rather than a compelling drama.

• While the subject matter is important, the execution is heavy-handed and lacks subtlety.

• Critics found the narrative to be predictable and the characters underdeveloped.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a relevant and important look at the lead-up to the Iraq War, with many appreciating the efforts of the journalists depicted. However, some viewers felt the film was too preachy and lacked the emotional impact they expected.

Director Rob Reiner, who also stars in the film, initially intended for the movie to be a documentary before deciding to make it a narrative feature.