Doesn't live up to its trailers

Rating: 7/10 (1 January 2015)

The storyline is very similar to Saving Private Ryan. With different location and different tools of war but overall, the conflicts and plot to be fairly similar. The difference however is the poor acting. Brad Pitt is one of the actor who never changes... I mean in a bad way. Isn't it about time his acting gets better? But no... he's same as he was in Legends of the Fall. It's not horrible, it's passable. But his role in this movie is so interesting that it could've been a great role if played by someone else more capable.
Other actors didn't live up to their names either. Shia Labeouf started out well but looked like he was over the top. Still don't understand why he cried during the meal conversation. Logan Lerman is touted to be the next big Hollywood star but not based on his performance here. Towards the end he said he's afraid but I certainly didn't feel the fear in his voice or face.
How can so many great actors perform so ordinary? I would put the blame on the director. Well known for gang/crime movies as it's something he's familiar with but this movie proves that he can't handle genre he's unfamiliar with.