Mendes Does it Again

Rating: 8/10 (18 January 2020)

I'm going to say this right off the top, this is my 4th favorite war film of all time behind Saving Private Ryan, Full Metal Jacket, and Black Hawk Down. With that aside, this film is spectacularly beautiful and pristine all in thanks to one man. Mr. Roger Deakins. I've followed this man's career from his early days with the Coen brothers, to his amazing camera work in How to Train Your Dragon, to now this. And to me by far it is his best work. It kept me glued to the film as I loved watching the colors and camera work by Deakins, and he made this film sing like a opera choir. However, Deakins isn't the only major contributor, Sam Mendes makes what seems to be a rather personal story to him considering his paternal grandfather told him this story. This is his best work, even better than American Beauty. It's not filled with mindless explosions, or unnecessary violence and blood just for the sake of it. Every scene, every shot was seemingly carefully crafted with masterful direction. There were some twists I didn't see coming, with a sprinkle of some suspense and tragedy, while displaying the true brutalities of war. This film has been nominated for many of the major awards including the Oscars, Golden Globes, and others, and rightfully so. Like I said earlier if you are looking for a bloody, violent, and explosions then this is not for you. For anyone else, please check this out, it's worth the money.