The film clumsily debates the ethical pros and cons of this dispassionate form of warfare.

But the visuals pack a visceral punch. Every time Tom zeroes in on a target, every time he pushes that button, what we see on those monitors is brutally authentic.

"Good Kill" is darkly enlightening, but it's not really all that good.

Niccol's effort is commendable, as is his longing to make a war drama that's both timely and brimming with cause, but the bits and bops don't always come together smoothly.