My Apathy Towards the Civil War Did Not Hinder My Viewing

Rating: 8/10 (19 August 2006)

I really don't want to give this film 8 of 10, but I must. And I'll explain why.
My initial impression is that I don't care for Civil War films. And I think Cary Elwes, as much as I love him, was an odd casting choice. And Matthew Broderick in particular seemed odd. In "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", Broderick successfully played Ferris, who successfully played Abe Froman to get into a French restaurant. However, here Broderick played a spoiled rich kid, who was playing at being a colonel. But I was not finding it successful, I was waiting for the mustache to come off and Ferris to be revealed.
Now, once I got over these things, I saw a great film. Morgan Freeman is always great. Denzel Washington was spectacular, especially during the whipping scene (which was quite emotional). The whole struggle of the ex-slaves was presented in a very moving way. (With the exception of one actor or character that seemed to be playing a very modern stereotype.) The story is of Robert Shaw, a real Civil War soldier, and his struggle to get the 54th (an almost all-black regiment) into battle and respected as equals. This is met with a series of successes and failures, as one might expect.
I have nothing to say. It's a period piece. If you want to watch an emotional film about the war, check it out. Or even if you life human interest stories, you might find something inspiring in this movie (the war is actually more background than anything). I wasn't expecting to be wowed, but feel better for having this film in my life now. Maybe that means something to you.