Spectacular Change in Pace for the War Genre

Rating: 9/10 (26 July 2017)

'DUNKIRK' was directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy and Fionn Whithead. ​In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.{And I won't count the story recap as spoilers, you will know that if you had an education. }
This movie is a breath of fresh air in a genre were each of its films is fighting for recognition. Dunkirk is a truly intense and thrilling roller-coaster minute one and lasts until minute 120. Featuring excellent performances from the entire cast and Nolan's signature use of effects and sound design, this is a movie that you need to see in cinema's to truly appreciate. Probably enjoyable on a small screen but I 100% believe it benefits from wonders and joys of cinema screens.
This movie is retelling the event of Dunkirk. And as far as I am aware, it does it really accurately. We follow the battle from land, air and sea, and the way Nolan interconnects all the stories is brilliant. None of them are connected at first but they slowly begin to join together as the film progresses. The ending is truly perfect and I can't praise Nolan enough for his endings.
This may take a while. Mark Rylance was fantastic as Mr Dawson and did a great job a commanding the movie to his will. Tom Hardy is probably one of the best actors working today and does a phenomenal job as Farrier. Conveying emotion purely through your eyes is very, very, very impressive. Fionn Whithead was great as Tommy and it is amazing that he rarely ever spoke for the entire film. Harry Styles was good in the movie. A sentence I never thought I'd have to say and never will again. Cillian Murphy was great in his small role and gave a powerful performance as a man traumatised by the war. Keneth Braghan was great in his more minor role but still managed to make a commanding performance. I am doubly impressed by the acting in this movie due to the fact that it is mostly visual and not-dialogue heavy so the actors had to utilise their face the most instead of their voice. I imagine that is very difficult in today's film climate so I will congratulate every actor in the movie, including the ones whom I didn't mention.
As much as the performances were great, the characters were not. The split between liking and disliking this movie is based around the point of either the characters sucked so it was bad or it's a film about the conflict, not the characters, so it is good. I agree with the latter's sentiment more but I do agree that if that was the intention, don't follow anyone. Don't even bother giving characters a name. If we are expected to follow specific characters, the audience expects the writer and director to make us care for these characters. Again I do agree with the idea of it is about the battle but I wont be a blind fanboy and disregard any flaws with this film. I am not biased.
This is 2017's technical masterpiece, I think. The effects used are phenomenal and I give bonus points due to a lot of it being practical. If that is actually true then that is exceptional. If there was CGI used, it wasn't very obvious or noticeable. Cinematography and editing are both top notch but that has become Nolan standard now. If the sound design for this movie doesn't get at least an Oscar nomination, I will lose my mind. I generally don't care about an aspect like this of a film but when it is extraordinary, you can guarantee I'll pick up on it. Sound design has always been a positive in Nolan's films and I think this may be his best yet. Truly exceptional work.
This movie starts with the evacuation of Dunkirk and ends with the evacuation of Dunkirk. There is no in between and it is a film about Dunkirk. Please see this film in cinema's if you can but if not, see it anyway. It is an exceptional war movie which I really deserves its acclaim. Say what you want about Nolan, the man is a great director. I'll rate the film 9 HOMEs out of 10!