Superior War Movie

Rating: 8/10 (20 February 2017)

Based on the true story of Private Desmond Doss who single-handedly saved dozens of U.S. soldiers on Okinawa in a place nicknamed "Hacksaw Ridge"all without using a weapon.
Andrew Garfield plays Doss, a Seventh Day Adventist who has made a vow not to kill nor handle a gun, yet volunteers to join the Army during WW II to serve his country in a way that doesn't conflict with his religion, i.e. he will be a combat medic and save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Basic training in the U.S. Army becomes a nightmare for Garfield because his Conscientious Objector status makes his unit think that he is a coward, and that Garfield will just stand by as his comrades get attacked by the enemy. For his refusal to pick up a weapon during training, Garfield is ostracized, beaten, and court-martialed. But with Garfield's faith and inner strength, and the help of his fiancée and his father, Garfield's C.O. status is upheld and allowed to finish his training. The bloody battles in Okinawa await.
It is in combat that all soldiers are ultimately tested; and Garfield proves his worth in every way when the bullets fly, charging in when a soldier cries "medic!" despite the dangers all around. As the men in his company fall from their wounds, Garfield is there to help save their lives; but with only a helmet for protection, how long can Garfield survive the enemy's onslaught before he is killed?
My most memorable, movie moment of "Hacksaw Ridge" is the scene when Garfield's Company reaches the Ridge and sees the landscape before them: torn bodies of soldiers everywhere, black sand, sharp rocks, trees splintered by the shelling, and smoke that hides the Japanese soldiers that are waiting for the Americans to walk into the killzone.
Taking second place for my memorable moments of this movie is the scene when Vince Vaughn (playing a Sergeant in Garfield's squad/platoon) addresses the new recruits for the first time. One recruit is completely naked, but Vaughn ignores him and instead hurls insults at other soldiers who are more presentable. It's a fine example of comedic writing.
Director Mel Gibson did an excellent job with "Hacksaw Ridge," taking his time to tell the background story of Garfield's character to show us why he believes in what he believes. And once we are on board with what this humble, C.O. is all about, the second half of the movie throws him into the meat grinder, where the audience will see what the man is truly made of.
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