film review

We all know about World War II, learning about it throughout school. Some of us have come to be tired of learning about Hitler, Pearl Harbour and the Holocaust. I don’t blame you. Due to the constant repetition and mentioning of the war, we’ve become somewhat desensitised to the extremity of the war and its repercussions, viewing statistics as mere numbers rather than people. With the time and contextual difference between us and the 1940s, it is harder for those of us who have never experienced war, to even come close to sympathising and even grasping the whole concept of war. Many of us don’t realise how significant every nation, every soldier, every civilian was impacted during the war and cannot truly appreciate the true significance of the sacrifices made. However, Saving Private Ryan will change your appreciation and understanding of war entirely.

Saving Private Ryan is another award winning Steven Spielberg production, taking the audience on an extremely spectacular and vivid journey of courage, honour and comradery. Set in WWII, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) is assigned to lead a group of soldiers into enemy territory in order to find a Private Ryan who has lost his three other brothers in combat. Enduring the haunting brutalities of war, the group of men head on a journey they will have an everlasting imprint on their lives.

Spielberg’s acclamation is well deserved through the marvelous direction of cinematography, music and storyline throughout the entirety of the film. It is a war movie that balances the barbarity of war itself with the humanity of people. It confronts the audience but also allows us to sympathise with the characters. This can all be clearly seen in the first 30 minutes of the film, truly resonating amongst all audiences. The exceptionally confronting opening scene of the horrific events of D-Day on Omaha Beach does not shy away from the harsh true reality of war and the inhumanity of war itself. Spielberg places us directly in 1944, Omaha Beach France surrounded by the gunfire, death and survival of Allied and Axis soldiers. When I say it doesn’t shy away from brutality, a shot of a man agonisingly calling out to his mother whilst his abdominal organs are protruded from his body is realistically depicted. We hear stories about horrifics such as these but have never taken the time to comprehend and truly discern the pain, the sight and the hardship for families and fellow soldiers. However, the film balances this and does not exploit the horrors of war rather it materialises and presents the straight facts of war to be insightful yet confronting to a modern audience.

Aside from the visuals and cinematography, the all star cast including Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel and Bryan Cranston deliver stellar performances that make the poignant ending evermore remarkable to conclude the film.

Of all the war films out there, this one is a must for sure.

-A Gen, Year 10