Spielburgesque

Rating: Null/10 (16 March 2001)

This film, a 2 1/2 hour giant of a motion picture contains no lack of blood, violence and depression but it can give a sense of questioning to the audience. What does the film show in the story? Why are we watching more people die? In the end although there is a climax the questions are still there. It is a prime example of hollywood walking through the "gates" that were so forcefully blasted open by Steven Spielburgs gore epic, Saving Private Ryan. The romantic war epic genre was dead and it gave way to more personal War pictures such as " Full Metal Jacket" or "Platoon". But Spielburg yet again renaming a genre for his own has started a new breed. This film "Enemy at the Gates" contains solid solid acting by a cast that is not afraid to show its stardom. Ed Harris plays the German "Enemy" Sniper who is brought in special from Berlin. But this German sounds to be just out of Hollywood right down to the accent. Thats what this film has on it a sticky grey and green filter of hollywood. A true american classic, no inspiration or thought provoking ideas, just eye candy and our emotions on a platter. After walking out of the theater I felt more like a puppet just released from the strings by the credits, than a member of an audience who just enjoyed a piece of art. Thanks for the memmories though.