Single gimmick but that's about it

Rating: 6/10 (25 January 2020)

Once you get over 1917's one single gimmick, you realize it's not that great of a war movie.
1917 is a one-shot film based during WWI. The plot is rather simple: deliver a letter across enemy lines or else thousands will die. It's straightforward and the action moves quickly.
One area that I appreciate about this film is the respect it pays to WWI. Special attention is given to the hell-like conditions that the soldiers had to face. 1917 does an excellent job showing how the Great War turned normal men into savages. It also did a great job showing the life-and-death conditions that people faced.
But, there were times I felt disconnected from the film. Is it from the dizzying speed the camera moves around? Is it the lack of character development and cheesy dialogue? Is it from the rather cliche plot? I felt no real connection to the characters until close to the end. Shame that this movie was missing that special something.
1917 is a good movie to watch. Yet, I wouldn't call it too memorable. With a bit more polishing, this could have been a much stronger movie.
3/5 or 3.5/5. Average or above average. Sam Mendes was missing that special something to take this movie to the next level.