Mel Gibson Still Has Sharp Directorial Skills.

Rating: 9/10 (18 September 2017)

Hacksaw Ridge is another addition to Hollywood's growing portfolio of World War Two movies that have shows us some of the best and worst things humanity has to offer. In Ridge's case it's one of the best: Desmond Doss has become one of history's great 'conscientious objectors' of violence in war. He saved many lives during the Second World War, and he's still considered a hero by those he saved and those he loved. His exploits during the Battle of Okinawa proved a turning point in pacifistic participation in modern warfare, and this movie essentially spills blood around the character. He's in the war but refuses to take part in any of the killings. It's like he's a timid though incredibly brave specter amidst all the horror.
Hacksaw Ridge is well-done, though it does suffer from Gibson's lack of any remote development in the villains (in this case the Japanese are portrayed as nearly mute extremists who ALWAYS look angry; we NEVER see the civilians of Okinawa who were killed by the Japanese during the fight) that BraveHeart suffered from. I understand getting the point of a story across, but do it JUST a bit less xenophobic Mel.
Anyway, the film is one of Australia's best of 2016 and is a must see. You don't need to fight IN a war to help win one.