Rating: 
Summary: War is Hell
Review: The best place to see this is in the cinema.A considerable amount of dramatic tension is created in the first 7 minutes when we watch an aged, unknown Army veteran approach a military grave with his family. Unless we happen to notice the Airborne pin on his left lapel, we're unsure: is this man Captain Miller, weeping over his failure to save Private Ryan, or is it Private Ryan moved by remembering the bravery of the man who saved him? In the combat sequences, Spielberg certainly approaches what Schopenhauer calls "the sublime" in art: experiences of ecstacy as one "is blown" by immense power. The sheer visual spectacle of real-time emotional content within a context of vicious small unit actions is what places this film in a class by itself. The beach assault IS sublime. Particularly impressive are the small unit tactics which enable the men to find the "Dog One Exit" around a fortified emplacement, and eventually secure the beach: "COVERING FIRE!". Perhaps the most charismatic figure is their sniper, the good ol' Kentucky boy Private Jackson, (Barry Pepper), who recites passages from Psalms as he passionately and methodically dispatches Wehrmacht soldiers. In the final climactic scene, fought for a bridge over the Merderet river in a bombed-out hamlet - probably the greatest war scene ever - mistakes cost lives. The translator Corporal Upham, who should have been left behind on the bridge, is brought into high relief. As is the price one pays for misplaced sympathy in time of war.
Rating:
Summary: The best in its genre!
Review: "Saving Private Ryan" is probably the greatest war film ever made . Steven Spielberg did it perfectly. There is few if any technical flaws, the battle scenes are completely mind-blowing, especially the opening. (Maybe very difficult to watch for some viewers) Tom Hanks plays Captain Miller who decides to take eight of his men and go try to rescue a fellow soldier who recently lost his three other brothers in the war. The plot is excellent and the whole movie was well thought out by Spielberg. Quit simply put, a great movie to go see. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best motion pictures of all time
Review: Saving Private Ryan clearly ranks as one of the best motion pictures of all time. Unfortunately, the small screen version of the picture does not do the battle scenes justice. Anyone interested in buying this movie should consider the wide screen VHS version. Aside from that lone defect, I would recommend this video to everyone. I have seen this film in the theater four times and although being 6' 5" tall and weighing 225 lbs, I still have tears in my eyes every time I watch it. For me, watching the movie brings me a sense of profound humility. The first time I saw the film was a couple of days after being laid off from my job. I realized then that my troubles paled in comparison to those brave men who gave their lives on Omaha Beach. Since that time, I have become ever more interested in the happenings before and during World War II and hopefully have more humility and concern for others. If our young people who were not born during this time of world conflict watched this film, they might derive the same sense of humility and appreciation as I have of the men and women of our armed forces who basically saved the world from tyranny. Now about the movie: Tom Hanks was perfect in his role as were all of the supporting actors. In particular, Sizemore was the perfect sergeant. I knew many of his type when I served in the military. Goldberg, the lone Jew, was terrific in his part as was Diesel as Caparzo. My favorite in the film was Burns who portrayed Private Reiben from Brooklyn. This young man played his role flawlessly. The opening battle scene was horrifying. I kept telling myself there was no way anyone would come out alive. The tank scene at the end was more terrifying than any horror movie. I can still hear the creaking and clanking of the tank wheels even without watching the film. What at first seemed an implausable story was made entirely plausable by the way it was carried out. It is very unfortunate Saving Private Ryan did not win an Academy Award for best picture, which it richly deserved and ended up behind Shakespeare in Love, which I walked out on when it was halfway through.
Rating:
Summary: Most Beautiful Movie Ever
Review: Saving Private Ryan can only be described in one word. Wow. Now, I may have a slight bias oppinion, cause I was one of the lucky people who actually saw this movie opening night in the theatre. I just bought a new dvd player, and went straight for this movie. It is written like no movie before it, with a plot that is superb, and a musical score and cinimitography to go with it. I give this movie an A+ in a heartbeat. I don't consider myself a "movie person", but I will watch this movie whenever I have 2 hours free. Brilliant.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie set WWII filmaking back about fifty years.
Review: A major flop for international integrity and a major boon forAmerican centricity. Of course, the Europeans just love it whenever they get an American film that portrays America or AMericans as a nation of Clark Kents ready to dash into the geopolitical phone booth at a moments notice to re-emerge as "SuperNation" to save the world from its most evil troubles. This movie set American WWII historical filmaking back about 50 years or more. All German servicemen, rigtht down to the most miserable `private Schmidt' is portrayed as an evil, despicable, deviously underhanded nazi; no doubt equally and personally responsible for the holocaust that the U.S. officially denied was going on then and now incredibly officially denies (at least until recently) they had any knowledge of. Its the John Wayne formula flick all over again, but now with Everyinfantryman Tom Hanks in the Duke's shoes. The fight against the horrible Germans- a race of ogres- is the great and noble fight- the crusade of wonder and American heroism. It can't fail but to appeal BIG TIME to the world famous American narcissism in these matters- and boy, it sure did! Winning ooddles of Oscars. If you want to see an objective treatment of war, a humanistic and honest portrayal of what it does to the combatants and to the earth they fight in- see The Thin Red Line. And leave this one in the jingoistic bins with all those flicks starring the Duke fighting the guys in the black hats.
Rating:
Summary: Brings back horrible memories
Review: I apoligize to the critics that gave this film five stars and said it was a great motion picture to see. It is still in a way a great movie. I am a war veteran and when I went to see Saving Private Ryan, I just had to leave after the first five minutes. Its just to painful to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Mind Blowing
Review: This is the first movie I have ever seen that I actually felt I was part of it. The first battle seen at Omaha Beach makes you think how did those soldiers survive that carnage,during and after the war! Watching this movie makes you appreciate "really appreciate" what these guys had to go thru to survive. The last battle seen in the movie actually gives you butterflies in your stomach! This movie is not only to be appreciated...but a must see!!!! How this didn't win best picture of the year is still a mystery to me!
Rating: 
Summary: Please dont compare
Review: It is unfair to say that 'saving private ryan' is the greatest D-DAY film of all time. Its quite simply not. The first 20 mins or so of the movie (set on Omaha Beach) is the only scene actually dedicated to the greatest day in modern history. No movie could ever exactly portrait the happenings of June 6 1944. A few arms and legs being blown off does not qualify this film for being the 'most accurate'. The events leading up too and during this great day are a story within themselves and for those with a limited knowledge of world war 2, i expect that the script must have been very confusing. Im sure that many who have seen the film had not the faintest idea of what was going on. I would have to agree that the opening battle scene is quite possibly the greatest ever made however that does not give it the right to be compared to other movies such as the 'The Longest Day'. Its main plot is vastly different. Im sure that Stephen E. Ambrose would have been a little disappointed (as many veterans were) with the story line of Saving Private Ryan for the simple fact that there were countless factual happenings on D-DAY with enough content to film a hundred movies. Tom hanks was brillaint (again) as Captain John Millar though i thought some of the other acting led a lot to be desired. I am thankful that Davies, Speilberg and Ambrose have helped to keep the brave and unselfish feats of our countrymen alive for some time yet. A great film on the whole yet i do suggest if you are indeed interested by D-DAY that you read a good book on the subject.
Rating:
Summary: mind blowing
Review: This movie is a true master piece. I found the picture and sound quality to be everything I hoped it was. Now I'm not much for widescreen, however once you start watching this movie you tend to forget all about it. This is the first flick I bought and watched on DVD and I have no regrets. The extra trailers and editorials are not much to talk about, but it takes nothing away from the "mind blowing" sounds and special effects. Definetly a must buy. P.S- DTS rocks. Even you will be dogging bullets.
Rating:
Summary: probably best movie by Spielberg
Review: I saw this in theaters here in Lafayette 3 times! Now I own this one! I even have schindler's List!
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