A script worthy of the visual

Rating: 9/10 (14 January 2020)

Sam did not disappoint! A master of the visual, Mendes once again uses every inch of the screen to its fullest potential. The much spoken of "gimmick" aside, the film is brilliantly written. Never heavy-handed, the script is wonderfully efficient in its dialogue. It is a masterclass in show, don't tell. Back to the gimmick, it does not work if not for the performances from the two young actors. MacKay, especially, excels as a worthy Virgil in our trek through the hell of war. This is not a traditional war film. Like it's predecessor Jarhead, Mendes deconstructs war from the perspective of soldiers not to glorify or denounce war. Instead, it is a apathetic study of soldiers (humanity) in war. It is a must watch!!!