Decent movie that tries to do too much

Rating: 6/10 (9 December 2007)

It's a movie I enjoyed: many twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the stunning female lead put in a memorable performance. It's never boring and there's a lot to be liked about the movie.
But at the same time, the movie feels disjointed. The first part--focusing on Rachel/Ellis's and the Resistance's struggle with the Nazi during the war--is gripping. However, the second part--about Rachel/Ellis looking for the traitor--is an anti-climax and feels tacky. A couple of surprises are sprang on us toward the end, but they are not very convincing. Also, the two parts are not well linked together and it requires a somewhat sudden shift of gear on the part of the audience in order to bring themselves back into the movie.
Another thing I have slight problem with is that the movie is a little too melodramatic and unsubtle. A couple of scenes I think are overdone and really unnecessary. And the movie's a little too black-and-white about the characters, hence making them less than realistic.
This movie bears many of the hallmarks of the director: if you have seen "Total Recall" and "Starship Troopers," I guess you would discover some familiar features and styles in this movie. Direct, explicit (or even blunt), melodramatic, and hokey. I think those elements work relatively well in sci-fi movies. Applying them to a more sensitive and real subject like WWII, the result actually is rather interesting. But unfortunately, I think the movie is trying to do/tell too much that it feels a bit unfocused and contrived in the end.