Dunkirk is good but not a masterpiece.

Rating: 8/10 (12 September 2017)

I was lucky enough to see Dunkirk in IMAX 70 mm film. I have to say the extremely large format was more immersive and I really felt like I was there. With the exception of a few moments where it got too loud, the IMAX was great. The film itself is both moving and terrifying. A few scenes left my heart pumping fast. There's little dialogue, most of it is told through characters actions, either random moments of human decency in hard times or harsh desperation. It really shows how war and survival can bring the worst out us but also the small moments of decency. Truly another great Nolan film. My one criticism is the time line is a bit too confusing at first but you'll eventually get up to speed. I think a couple more insert shots that establish where we are in the time line would make the film flow a bit better but I was able to catch on pretty quick and the non-linear story really allows for some intense back-to-back scenes.
So far a big criticism of Dunkirk is that the characters are weak because we don't know much about them. What I took away from the film is that it wasn't about who these people were or what they're personalities are like. It was about where they are now. None of these characters are themselves during the movie (something you'll see with Cillian Murphy's character). They're at war trying to survive. Everyone the characters meet (including each other) is just another soldier in the crowd. The compelling thing is that these characters hardly know each other but they go out of their way to help each other live. I think the film may have fallen into some "war glory" cheese if they had flash backs and scenes of them talking about what they're gonna do if the get home all while being shot at.
Dunkirk is an intense experience, its not heavy on plot but its heavy on emotions. Really glad I saw this one. Dunkirk is obviously a good film but not a masterpiece like everyone says it is, The Prestige is.