Saving Private Ryan

Rating:
Summary: A shockingly realistic depiction of war.
Review: Before 'SAVING PRIVATE RYAN' even flickered into view on the screen at my cinema, I knew that it would be a fantastic experience. I never miss a Spielberg film and I wasn't going to miss this one. The first horrendous twenty minutes shocked the hell out of me and I sat there furious with the Germans with tears streaming down my face as I watched the mindless slaughter of the American troops as they landed at Omaha beach, France. Emotions like this have never ran through my head so strongly as they did in this film. It took me a good half hour to recover from the first onslaught. My only critisism is that the remainder of the film, although brilliant, was never up to the same standard as the opening scenes. I also think it would've been nice to feature some British soldiers as well because they did fight and die in the war too. All in all though a fantastic film and one I could NEVER forget no matter how hard I tried. Mr Spielberg will always be my favourite director. What a master at his craft. A truly brilliant film.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful and moving
Review: I'm 19 years old, and most would classify my generation as cynical. Well, this "cynical" teen saw "Saving Private Ryan" twice, and wept both times at the end. This movie has made me and others my age truly appreciate the sacrifices made by so many who were not much older than us when they were called to defend the freedom of the world. In this age of computers and frenzied pace, this movie is an excellent way to keep you grounded. Think you have it rough? Try being one of those American GI's for a few minutes.

Rating:
Summary: Technically brilliant but emotionally disappointing
Review: This is a very 'american' war movie. Like other war movies made in Hollywood (Platoon, etc) it is full of visual action - yet even more gore, blood and killing. But between the action is little to remember - the story is so foreseeable and so boring. Like others said before, the opening scenes on Omaha beach and the final battle are made technically brilliant, but that's all. It's been like Spielberg wanted to use modern equipment to make the 'Jurassic Park' of all war movies. And the more impressing the combat scenes are - the more disappointing are the filling scenes in between them. It's all a usual, many times before seen war movie, full of known characters and typical storytelling. There are much better war movies to be seen, like "Full Metal Jacket", "The Thin Red Line" or the very impressing "Come and See".

Rating:
Summary: A Truly Excellent Film
Review: The realisticness of this movie is phenomenol, and it is by far one of the finest war movies ever made.

Rating:
Summary: T-34s belong on the East Front
Review: This film is great! The best action footage ever filmed. If you liked The Longest Day, Patton, or A Bridge Too Far, your gonna love this one! War buffs are highly reccomended to see this. It has one drawback however: the T-34s mocked-up to look like Tigers may have worked back in 1970 (Kelly's Heroes) but they look stupid now. Otherwise, BUY THIS FILM!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Tribute to WWII Veterans
Review: I grew up listening to my father's WWII stories. At an early age I developed a tremendous since of pride that my dad was a part of that wonderful group of men that sacrificed their lives for our country. Dad was on an escort carrier in the Pacific that saw a lot of action and was also kamikased. I've always been amazed that more movies weren't made about these courageous men. I started crying during the first 3 minutes. Spielberg did a remarkable job in capturing WWII veterans patriotic even sacrificial attitude toward the defense of their country. This movie was absolutely the best I've ever seen. How they did it, just amazes me. And I have to say the medic's death scene was the best I've ever seen. Tom Hanks'love and respect for these men was evident in every frame. I felt nauseated when they announced the Academy's Best Actor award. But wasn't that just typical HOLLYWOOD. God bless Spielberg and Hanks for a long overdue tribute to these men.

Rating:
Summary: One Incredible Film
Review: Saving Private Ryan, in addition to being one of the greatest films ever made and one of the greatest of the 90's, is also one of the most sobering. No other war film ever made before SPR has captured the feelings of horror, confusion, sadness, and chaos of war. Steven Spielberg put himself on the line for this film and the results are absolutely incredible. In addition to THE most realistic battle sequences ever put on film, the human drama was likewise excellently portrayed. Tom Hanks led a cast of brilliant actors and captured all of the emotions that those soldiers on D-Day so many years ago must have felt. Spielberg may be getting older as a person, but is getting better and better as the extraordinary filmmaker he is.

Rating:
Summary: Don't watch the last 10 minutes
Review: I watched it at the theater, and I thought the beginning and the middle of the movie were absolutely excellent. Towards the end, the movie became like any other war movie, and last sequence once again showed the over-the-top, over-sentimantal scene which has become an all too familiar Spielberg signature.

Rating:
Summary: You will never look at someone in uniform the same way again
Review: Spielberg takes you on a trip through hell. If you have been in combat, you will re-live every memorable moment with a smile or with tears. You will admire the bravery; feel the pain; squirm with the uncertainty; hate the war and love the men who laid it on the line. If you have not been to war, Spielberg takes you to Omaha Beach and from there, on a trip through hell. And keep your eye on Private Uppum -- he represents a little of what almost all of us have felt (and done) when the world we knew reached the end of all that was sane.

Rating:
Summary: Another pro-American war movie
Review: Saving Private Ryan is beyond doubt a very powerful and emotional film. I enjoyed it a great deal. I was annoyed at how the German soldiers were portrayed. My grandfather fought on the German side at Normandy. It scared him as much as it did the American soldier. The pro-American slant wasnt very sympathetic to the German side I thought. The effects were good, the story well in my opinion a bit 'iffy'. The Tiger tank mock up wasnt too good - a T-34 judging by the track pattern. But hell if what I said hasnt bothered you then go ahead and buy the thing. I probally will when it comes out on dvd.