Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece of Cinema
Review: The film does not waste any time. It gets right to the point from the time the flag is fluttering in the breeze right up to the ending salute by the older Ryan. First 30 minutes of film are some of the most horrific battle scenes ever filmed.The Longest Day was able to convey the immense size and scope of Operation Overlord in various sequences, but Pvt. Ryan captures the realism, the blood, the anguish, the stress of combat, the decay, the horror of it all. I, of course, like so many others got teary-eyed in several scenes. I am glad that Spielberg made this picture. The young people of today won't watch films such as The Longest Day or A Bridge Too Far because they were made before their time. It is high time a filmmaker brought the horrors of World War II to the modern cinema so the young can get somewhat on an idea of the sacrifice the men and women of that generation made so that this generation could enjoy their basic freedoms.Film is not a glamorization of war, but a recreation of the reality of battle.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating opening episode...
Review: ...but the rest of the film becomes pretty predictable after that. A solid war film, but the opening really captures the horror and randomness of battle.
Rating:
Summary: Great Special Effects, But Unrealistic Insubordination
Review: The movie is worth 5 stars just for the special effects. As a war vet, I felt the numbing horror of being under fire so well depicted by this cast and director. Where it diverges somewhat from reality, IMO, is the insubordination shown by certain members of the detachment toward the Captain (Hanks). These guys would likely have been court marshalled for their behaviour (disrespect for authority) if it had been real life. One other thing: When the Captain tells Private Ryan, while dying in the street after holding off a German attack, "earn this!", he puts an almost unbearable load on the private. Rangers would more likely say, "I chose to give my life for you" which is close to their motto anyway.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking...
Review: There are few words to describe what I felt after watching this film. Shock. Horror. Pride. Humility. And an overwhelming sense of debt towards those whom this film depicts. This is a film that should be required for all Americans , in order to view what sacrifices and bravery in the face of death were given by a few for the preservation of our freedom. First , I must say that my grandfather was a U.S. Navy veteran of teh pacific theater, and his brother was one of the soldiers who gave his life on the sands of Normandy. I haved new respect for what they gave during that time. The main virtue of this movie is that it shows just how hellish combat is, and through that, the enormous valor of the fighting men. The Germans are not "Cartoon Nazis," which finally gives these men credit for what htey have done. One should watch this movie and feel an obligation to serve their country in a way befitting of those who paid the ultimate price...
Rating:
Summary: Most Realistic Movie Ever
Review: I rarely give 5 stars, but this movie is the most realistic movie I have ever seen (desrving 5 stars) which also happens to offer plenty of opportunities to explore meaning. The weakest points were the acting of Matt Damon and the plot in general, but it did not take away from the effectiveness, importance, and intensity of the movie. I do not encourage my friends to see it unless they are prepared to be traumatized, really want to experience great movie making, or want to be challenged with WHY, WHY, and the WHY's of life.
Rating:
Summary: Most Realistic Movie Ever
Review: I rarely give 5 stars, but this movie is the most realistic movie I have ever seen (deserving 5 stars) which also happens to offer plenty of opportunities to explore meaning. The weakest points were the acting of Matt Damon and the plot in general, but it did not take away from the effectiveness, importance, and intensity of the movie. I do not encourage my friends to see it unless they are prepared to be traumatized, really want to experience great movie making, or want to be challenged with WHY, WHY, and the WHY's of life.
Rating:
Summary: A realistic, gripping plunge into WWII
Review: Turn on your VCR, press Play, wait for the ol' man to finish his opening sequence, and then suddenly YOU ARE IN WORLD WAR II. And you do not leave until the end. Spielberg follows a troop of soldiers, each with distinctive personalities or skills, whom you learn to like...until they're killed. You'll root for your personal fav, hoping he'll dodge those bullets or shoot that German. Sometimes they don't do what you want them to do, but that just shows their character...war makes people act on instinct, a primary one of which is fear. Spielberg truly plunges you into battle, taking you right there beside them, with awesome sound and expert cinematography. The colors are bleak and desolate, adding to the gritty feel of the movie. I especially enjoyed the calm whitenesses that Captain Miller experiences twice, as time slows down as he watches the chaos around him. I haven't seen enough WWII movies to make much comparison, but this one is filled with enough characterization, a cohesive plot to keep interest, and gripping action to keep one entertained. And finally, Spielberg answers the age-old question: Can one man make a difference? Yes.
Rating:
Summary: DTS SOUNDS GREAT, RELEASE MORE TITLES
Review: There is a tradeoff, the DTS versions of some of the movies dont have all the little extras, but if they sound as good as the DTS version of Private Ryan, IT IS WORTH IT, incredible sound, I have both version, dolby digital and the DTS, DTS blows the dolby digital away, no contest, if you have an amp that will decode the DTS, this is a must have, and get ready to duck and cover, next on your buying list is the DTS version of the Allman Brothers Fillmore East or Moody Blues, PLEASE SAY THIS IS THE FUTURE!
Rating:
Summary: Poetic, Tragic, Violent
Review: Spielberg has been workng up to this movie for his whole life. As a fan of his, I couldn't wait for this movie to hit theaters. It is without a doubt one of his finest and certainly stands amoung the top war films of all time. First off, there is the poignant view from the late 20th Century, the aging and fragile war veteran revisitng the battles of his youth. This film is a poem to the World War II veterans, and in that respect, it has a humming patriotism that recalls the films made during the war. Yet it delves deeper than that and manages to surpass its rather standard story structure and comment on the greater truth of war, heroism, life, death, and country. Clearly the most noticeable aspect of SPR is its stunning, breathtaking brutality. The Omaha beach scene and the climatic final battle are both suckerpunches of directing and cinematography, a visceral perescope view of the true violence of war. Never before has combat been captured so realistically, so graphically, its power enough to bring understanding to those who never have seen war, of what it is all about. For those who ahve witnessed bloody combat, it is almost painful to watch. This film is important and it is above all, excellently made. Standout performances by Jeremy Davies, Barry Pepper and Tom Seizmore add great flavor to the story, along with a strong Hanks, Burns, and Damon.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Film But Not the Best War Film
Review: First, let me say that Spielberg did an outstanding job and this is an important film with great acting. It is up there among great war films, but ones such as Das Boot, Apocalypse Now, Catch-22, and Full Metal Jacket still stand out as the tops. I urge you to check those out first before or in addition to Saving Private Ryan. I would say that Saving Private Ryan had impeccable and more realism in the D-Day and battle scenes. Yet in a way it detracted from the real suspense and horror of war by just handing the viewer graphical depictions -- limbs on a silver platter, if you will. The other movies I mentioned show the real face of war -- it's atrocities and absurdities. While the plot of Saving Private Ryan dances around those things also, I believe it gets buried in the audio and video technological wizardry. It becomes a case of "less is more" in my opinion.
|
