A wasted opportunity. Style over substance.

Rating: 3/10 (29 July 2017)

Note: This is my first ever IMDb contribution.
Lets put a few things aside first, like the fact that Christopher Nolan wrote/directed while Hans Zimmer composed the score; Hoyte van Hoytema helming cinematography with an incredible cast of familiar faces mixed with fresh new faces in a film based on a story inspired by a landmark moment in history where countless men and women senselessly lost their lives at war......Yep, leaving all those factors aside, lets judge this film on its own merits.
I should also mention that I haven't heard or read one single review of this film yet so I'm not swayed or influence by anyone. I'm looking forward to hearing other peoples views tho, because I've a feeling this film may divide opinion; maybe not immediately with the hype machine in full flow but later down the line when the dust settles.
Anywho.... where to begin!? The positives - The film looks incredible (cinematography, production design and costume) and you know its not a good sign when you have to start off with how good it looks....but it does. It looks great. Oscar worthy greatness. It's the one note that was perfectly hit in this film, in my honest opinion. Speaking of hitting notes... Hans Zimmer's score was, eh, great, too....but.... eh.... let me see..... how do I.....? OK, let's tackle the negatives - Well, you see, Hans' great score was hindered by an extremely disjointed script. Yes, there I said it. This script was an absolute mess and don't give me that BS about "Oh Chris was going for a chaotic mess of a script in order to truly reflect the physical chaos of the" ...no. Just no. You can portray a chaotic mess and still beautifully craft a coherent story with proper character development. (See Saving Private Ryan). Poor old Han's score, which showed great promise at times, was ripped apart during a long succession of badly crafted sequences and non-linear time-lines. What made this 2 hours (felt like 3) even more excruciating was the desperate measure Nolan employed with the sound design in order to hold audiences attention to a story that failed gloriously to do so. At the end of the film, when he turned off the "tension builder" sound effect, I was left there feeling.... WOW. Was that it? Really?
I've seen many great war movies in my life ie. Paths of Glory, Lawrence of Arabia, Apocalypse Now, The Longest Day, Black Hawk Down, The Deer Hunter, The Pianist, Ivan's Childhood, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Empire of the Sun, The Bridge on the River Kwai etc. etc. etc. and what each and every one of these films had in common was humanity. A story that speaks to the heart of their heroes AND villains. Even through a variety of brilliantly chosen lenses, Dunkirk failed to let us in. It just gave us a sequence of events wrapped up in one big event, garnished with great action and visuals and said "go make sense of it yourself". Don't get me wrong, that's not always a bad thing. I love to work as an audience member, but mining for a soul in this film would have felt like mining for gold on the bog of Allen. And such a great selection of character actors, too, including our own (Irish) Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan, with so much to offer, but if its not on the page, the actors can only give you so much.
I know.... harsh right? Who the fudge do I think I am, wha? Don't worry, the film will make it's millions back and all will be well but I still fell this was a huge wasted opportunity.
I watched this film with 6 other people last night and I even spoke with a few others in the cinema after the film. Everyone I spoke to felt let down by the story and how it was told. Everyone also thought it looked great, so I guess there is that.
Will Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk stand the test of time and join the extraordinary league of epic war movies? Only time will tell. Personally, I don't think it comes close.
Out of ten, I'd give this film a sturdy 5.5. It looks great with great performances and its relentlessly honest in its portrayal, aside from a couple of forced sentimental moments at the end. As for the story itself....Well, it felt sterile and cold. Of course, that was Nolan's intention,I'm sure.