Snowden

Yet although Gordon-Levitt presence helps to keep us invested in the story, you'll be left wondering how this dull, overlong film might have turned out in the hands of a less bombastic filmmaker.

But what [Snowden] mostly adds up to is a strange, disappointing movie.

Snowden's intellect is most effectively conveyed in Gordon-Levitt's eyes - watchful, sober and clouded by doubt, they are a window into his impossible ethical quandary.

Snowden does go on a journey. But it's more three stops on the Tube than a balloon flight around the world.

Stone's film is about as suspenseful as a trip to Ikea.

It's a forthright attempt to engage with this fascinating, opaque figure and show what it cost him personally.

Oliver Stone's best movie in years

Stone brings to light that our disturbed and anxious feelings about cyber-scrutiny are not paranoia, because that word suggests the menace isn't real.

While not in the upper tier of Stones films, Snowden is an educational tour into Oliver Stones U.S. The film has a feel of JFK and brings to light more questions most of us would never think to ask.

It's the best movie Oliver Stone has helmed since the 20th century. While it lacks the emotional wallop or technical prowess of his revered projects from the 1980s and '90s, it at least finds him shakily getting back on his feet.