Don't get all the hate

Rating: 8/10 (23 July 2017)

I was extremely excited for this movie, but after seeing some of the negative reviews on IMDb, I kinda grew skeptical. And boy oh boy, did it blow me away! I will try to rebuke common criticisms towards this movie as best as possible. Sorry English is not my first language. 1. Lack of character development/background story makes it difficult to empathize with the characters: This is somewhat true. When the movie starts, it gets right into the action without introducing the main characters. Frankly, I got irritated at first when I had to follow these characters whom i knew nothing about. But as the film progressed, their personalities started to manifest through their actions, and I naturally grew to care for them. I know some moviegoers prefer/demand to know more about their background stories, for example: do they have loved ones at home? did they commit crimes before?, etc. Personally, I think that has been in every other Hollywood war movies, and Nolan isn't known for beating a dead horse, but for inventing/pioneering new, unconventional ways in telling a story. I think it's refreshing to see the characters being characterized through the little actions that they take. Generally, people who bash this movie tend to compare it to Hacksaw Ridge, saying that they care more about Desmond Doss than any other character in this movie. To be honest, I just don't care about him at all. He is just the typical heroic type we have seen in other movies, so it just seems unlikely that such character will die. There is absolutely no stake at all in that movie. On the contrary, in Dunkirk, non of the character fits the heroic type; they all strive for survival. Such a realistic take on war makes it more likely that at least one of the main character will die. 2. Non-linear story telling makes the movie confusing: Personally, I didn't find any problem following this movie, simply because Nolan is so masterful in creating a flow that connects one scene to another. Despite being unchronological, three different stories in this movie are beautifully interwoven: they all complement each other in painting the Dunkirk battle in the audience's mind, and ultimately *minor spoiler* become one in the most beautiful way. I'd posit that this technique Nolan employs does not hinder but makes the movie more interesting and unique