It could have been so much better...

Rating: 7/10 (2 April 2006)

This is a difficult movie to rate, especially because it is so full of contradictions.
The film has a powerful story, great, incredibly realistic cinematography and excellent special effects. On the other hand, while trying to be realistic in the cinematic sense, it completely fails to be that with regard to the story, and above all, attention to details: First and foremost, the shooting accuracy shown in the film is simply impossible, it cannot be done. Secondly, the depiction of life in the city outside of the 'shooting duel' is totally unbelievable, it has a semblance of normality, as if the war in that city didn't exist, as if only the duel seems to be happening... Furthermore, the characters... the depicting of Nikita Khruschov is so cartoonesque, it isn't even funny any more... no, no, no! The sharpshooter Maj. Koenig, his character would have been depicted in a more believable manner in any average comic book!
Nevertheless, the sheer potential of the story, the camera and the special effects make this film worth watching and elevate it to slightly above average.