Saving Private Ryan

Rating:
Summary: Powerful viewing the first time, but doesn't have legs
Review: I think what impresses most people about SPR is its spectacular budget. It is also technically and somewhat artistically well beyond what most War movies have done before. But it suffers from the "Spielberg Factor". That is, the story and characters are developed not from a Veteran's standpoint, but from a novice trying to imagine a Veteran's standpoint. Once the plot gets rolling, I got the uncomfortable feeling the soldiers were behaving like children playing war. They were certainly in adult situations, but their behavior was the way children would behave if they were pretending to be adults. I blame this on Spielberg's directing because probably his only experience with war is playing it as a child in his neighborhood. If I may go further in alienating other viewers, I find Tom Hanks of similar ilk, playing his character as the oldest kid in the war game. If they had been carrying plastic toy guns, I would have found the tone more honest. Don't get me wrong, I'm an active supporter of Veteran's Day, and if this movie increases respect for our Vets, then the good outweighs the bad. If there is anything I commend this movie for, it is that it seems to be a sincere, if awkward, reaching out to our Vets by mainstream Hollywood. But for a really good recent war movie I'll take Windtalkers or Blackhawk Down.

Rating:
Summary: Terriffic start, then Hollywod routine
Review: I saw the film when it came out in 1998. I was deeply impressed and moved by it. The first 20 minutes of carnage have eaerned this film a place in the annals of film history. Since then I have seen the film several times at home. And every time I watched it again I realized more what a mixed bag the film actually is.

The film gives you a very authentic feel. But how authentic is it?

The Allies lost more than 4000 soldiers on Omaha beach landing sector. You get a feeling for that.

The Allies came in several attack waves in intervals of 20 minutes. The first two attack waves were basically wiped out to the last man. So you would either enter a virgin beach and play no role in the further movie - or you come in later and stumble across hundreds of bodies across the beach. In the film, however, its all one big attack wave.

The battle on the beach lasted 9 hours, not 20 minutes. You don't quite get a feeling for that one.

The number of the German defenders at Omaha beach was exactly 30. You guess you saw them all in the film. Or a few more actually...

The thing that turned the table was not a few brave men blasting a gap through the barbed wire and fire a lucky shot at an explosives box (or whatever that was...) in the German sandbag position but the fact that finally Allied tanks arrived on the beach which destroyed the German positions. And those actually only finished off what the combined firepower of the warships off the coast hadn't vaporized yet. Several Allied destroyers ran ashore off Omaha beach alone when shelling the positions of the 30 Germans. The job of the GIs on the beach was only to be moved down by the defenders until allied artillery had killed them all (except the 5 who managed to retreat).

The battle towards the end of the film is pretty much a farce. Not only did such a battle as shown not take place at all, the behavior of the Waffen-SS soldiers is embarrasingly unrealistic. They run in single file through the city withour trying to take any cover and without taking much effort even to spot the enemy.

In reality small combat groups would have worked their way through buildings and basements and would have secured the city before any heavy armor would have been moved into the dangerous streets.

The ahistorical skinhead-like haircuts of the Germans are probably an ideological point Spielberg wanted to drive home.

While watching the stupid Krauts being mowed down by the dozen you keep asking yourself how they managed to conquer all of Europe in the first place. You would never guess that in reality by the end of July 1944 the casualty ratio between Allies and Germans in France was 120,000 against 117,000 - despite total Allied air control and a fast Allied superiority in terms of troops, firepower, ammo and fuel.

Summing up, the first 20 minutes wrote film history. The rest is often rather annoying.

Rating:
Summary: Boring, not realistic
Review: First of all, any movie with Vin Diesel should tell you right off the bat that it's gonna be bad. And this movie is BAD. Spielberg was always a pretty overrated director. This movie isn't as bad as "E.T.," but it's not realistic. The first 20 minutes look like a PlayStation movie. For a more accurate depiction of the horrors of war, check out the amazing "Pearl Harbor" with Ben Affleck.

Rating:
Summary: The Best War Film Ever
Review: This is it. This is the very best war film ever made by anyone. If you want to not only see what it's like being in battle but want to feel it as well, watch this remarkable film.



Rating:
Summary: From Someone Who Does Not Like War Movies
Review: It is true what many people say about this movie. Definitely a powerful masterpiece. There are numerous death scenes, but in my opinion, it was not as gory as expected. That is what happens when the minds of people (like myself) are so saturated with all the mindless violence and blood that the movie and computer industry are churning out these days.
Citizens of this nation who are not in the military really should watch this film at least once. It can really help us to understand what the very courageous young people in the service and their families are going through. Soldiers are not robots. They fear, cry, joke, get mad, and certainly bond together for life. Some of the most memorable messages delivered was of how tough it can get to remain honorable and follow orders from above, and that citizens should appreciate and never ever forget those people who risk their lives going to war.
This movie has made me want to seek out more war films. Perhaps "Band of Brothers" may be just has good. In addition, it also has helped to think deeply about the brave soldiers doing their duties today. What part, no matter how little, can we do to help? Hopefully, it will have the same effect on you.


Rating:
Summary: Simply put - THE best war movie ever made...
Review: ...and that is saying alot in consideration of many memorable and excellent films that have been produced in this genre.

There is no doubt that this movie is violent - but unlike some other producers that are interested in putting some sort of liberalized "softball" flick out there, Spielberg is a genius. He gives it to you exactly as it was and as it should be portrayed.

War is not pretty, and this film is not pretty. That isn't the point or the thrust of the film. War can be and is hell, but what type of men and women are these that put on the uniform and are willing to make the sacrifices that so many Americans don't have the guts for? What type of Americans did we have during that crucial time in world history? These are the Americans that Tom Brokaw outlined in his excellent book, "The Greatest Generation." No intelligent person would disagree that this was America's greatest generation - our grandpas and grandmothers that silently go about their business now, and the same people who had to endure and WIN one of our planets greatest struggles.

After seeing this film, you will not think about your WWII veteran grandparents the same way. I read some reviews criticizing this films overtly American perspective. Sorry, but you all desperately need to buy a clue... this is an American film made by a patriotic and very American director about American soldiers. If you can't get with the program, "Das Boot," "Mein Kampf" and Marx's "Communist Manifesto" is waiting for you. The sane people will enjoy the poignant and memorable movie, perhaps Spielbergs best!

Rating:
Summary: Arguably the best War Film ever!
Review: This film is a great depiction of war. The visual horror of it, the realistic sounds and situations make this movie about as good as any war movie can get. The cast is amazing; I'm not a big fan of Tom Hanks, but his acting was superb. It takes part in being both a drama and action movie that one will want to see again. I would recommend one watches this movie before joining the army or navy; it's that close to real life.