If you are content living the simple life unchallenged by ethical dilemmas, then ‘Snowden’ is not for you. If you want to experience an exhilarating modern historical epic, then this movie is definitely not for you. If you want to take the red pill and see into the belly of the beast, then by all means go and see this movie.

The story dramatizes the real life exploits of Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), an NSA contractor turned whistleblower and, possibly, traitor. Originally, he wanted to be in special forces, but after a leg injury he flunked out of boot camp. Thinking it would be cool to become a spy, he joins the CIA. As he progresses in his career, certain instances cause him to question how things are done in the spy world. This causes a great deal of moral concern for him. The rest, of course, is history.

This movie ranks a C+. Though it is extremely educational and thought-provoking, it wasn’t at all thrilling or dramatic for an action drama. Granted, it was based on actual events, but throughout the entire movie Snowden was never portrayed as actually being in any real danger, unless you count paranoia. The movie, instead of being the political roller coaster it was advertised to be, was more like the Great Moments in History with Abraham Lincoln attraction at Disneyland: you sit down, listen to a speech or two and then you leave. Now doesn’t that sound better than Hyperspace Mountain?

One thing the movie has going for it is acting. Gordon-Levitt doesn’t just look like Snowden but also talks like him.

Be warned, you may not be the same after this movie. If you can make it to the end, you might just leave the theater feeling confused, betrayed or even angered. Whatever you’re feeling, ‘Snowden’ will most likely change the way you view technology and the government. If you like your life the way it is now and dislike shocking revelations about leaving your webcam up, then you probably shouldn’t see this movie.