It's good but it's not a great

Rating: 7/10 (24 January 2020)

Take a dollop or Saving Private Ryan , take the finale of Gallipoli , ignore the build up of All quiet on the western front and you've got yourself a film which is really good but not as good as the above .
Having said that , it had its merits . The story , the cinematography and the craft of the hand held one shot were all compelling .
Without a doubt Sam Mendes has produced an exceptional film and the 10/10 reviews show that the majority of the public have enjoyed it . However for it felt like there was something missing or things missing . I didn't feel my questions were answered , there was little background information about the main protagonists and no explanation about how the brothers chose or were given different opportunities. We didn't really learn anything about the enemy , the rats had a bigger part in the film than any characterisation of the Germans . Those who were portrayed were stereotypical baddies . With 100 years passed we all are patriotic and grateful for the losses of our forefathers but films like The Water Diviner ( 2014 ) go some way to explain the background . With a title like 2017 the story deserves praise for not focussing on America entering the war and pandering to Hollywood and the risk has paid off a film about British sacrifice has succeeded at the box office because it's a human story .
It's not perfect and it doesn't have the charm of War Horse but the realism of the aftermath of battle give it a realism that many other films overlook . It won't satisfy those who want to see an action war film . It's linear story with an against the odds plot that you can absorb yourself in .
It's good. It just could have been better . The emotion of the final scene makes it a must see , go with low expectations and you'll love it .
Pad.A 7/10