Important History & Gibson's Finest Hour As A Director

Rating: Null/10 (26 January 2017)

Mel Gibson has become an enigma. I mean he started out a charismatic face, became an OK actor as he went, switched more to directing, even making some amazingly powerful movies. But, he seemed to become quite weird in his personal life. It kind of made you wonder if was just heading out in space? Well, with Hacksaw Ridge he's grounded more than he's ever been. Grounded in a great WWII story well told. It will please a large audience and without controversy.
Gibson has brought the story of Desmond Doss, the first and only conscientious objector in the armed forces ever to win the Medal of Honor. It's a story that deserves widespread attention even this many years later. One might think that it was simple for Gibson to make since the story is the thing. True, the story is the anchor, but getting the power of it to the screen told straight without Hollywood bombast is what I believe Gibson should be credited for. There is some amazing cinematography here that is quite visceral and harrowing. And the choice of Andrew Garfield as Doss seals the deal. This is a movie that is entertaining even in it's violence. That's really an amazing thing to pull off. It's uplifting even as it is surrounded in darkness because it has a real feel that you're watching important history which you might not realize the gravity of unless you see it like this. It's a proud achievement and it really is special in many ways. Highly recommended for all.