An intense and terrifying IMAX experience unlike any other.

Rating: 9/10 (22 July 2017)

The latest film by Christopher Nolan takes a substantially different approach to how the audience experiences another real-life based war event from our history. Make no mistake of it, this isn't a by the numbers war epic with character arcs and dramatic dialogue. Nolan utilizes the spectacle of practical effects, core-shattering sound design, and genuine shock and terror of survival in war to deliver an intense 1 hour and 47 minute roller coaster. It was bold, different, and frankly terrifying.
The film presents three different perspectives: beach, sea, and air to immerse the viewer into the various and thrilling aspects of the events of Dunkirk. Each perspective gives an interesting context to how the events unfolded and at first, it was difficult to grasp the timeline and when things were happening in relation to each other. However around halfway through the picture, the pieces fell together naturally and made a cohesive movie; surprisingly without too much effort from the audience to "figure out" (which one can come to expect when watching a Nolan film).
During the presentation, a genius element to the film became quite clear which felt consistent with the actual event. While the characters got no back story and the protagonist/antagonist relationship was essentially nonexistent, the intention and execution of why Dunkirk was made the way it was became clear. During these events, no one had time to become personal with anyone or care where they were from. They didn't want to talk, relax, connect, or continue fighting. They wanted one thing: survival. They wanted to go home and not experience this anymore. So does the audience feel the same way. As precisely effective as the experience was, I wanted to leave. I became so blown away by the reality of what I was watching that I was begging the film to end. Moments made me feel sick to my stomach (and definitely done so deliberately by the extraordinary filmmakers). The audience will "survive" this experience of Dunkirk and it's difficult to say it's enjoyable but assuredly one of the most unforgettable experiences in a theater.
Pacing was perfect. The score was thrilling and constant like a ticking time bomb that won't stop. Acting was decent but nothing that stands out. Technically, it's the marvel of the year that can't be missed (especially in IMAX). Having earned the title of "masterpiece" it's difficult to see myself watching this again and even rushing others to go see it. It's something you can't quite be prepared for and maybe something that's difficult to make it through. I'm amazed at the cinematic ability Christopher Nolan has at showing us how when a master can understand the rules of movies so perfectly, he can break all of them to mold and change the medium of filmmaking to something we can't expect.