Hacksaw Ridge - review: A Gruesome Hallmark Movie

Rating: 10/10 (4 November 2016)

Hacksaw Ridge is a great movie. The performances are superb. The directing is skillful. The storyline is handled with care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Nothing goes unnoticed here. Every little detail is gutted and then hung out to dry like a dead pig. This movie will grip you and then forcefully hold your eyelids open. If you want to see something intense, heartfelt, genuine, and meaningful, then hold onto your seats because this will take you on a ride.
Andrew Garfield's performance was breathtaking. Vince Vaughn's performance was exceptional. At first, I thought that Mr. Vaughn would throw me off because I thought he looked odd being there. I've seen Vince Vaughn movies, and I don't take him that seriously when it comes to dramatic. Mel Gibson (the director) knows how to use his actors to the best of their abilities. Vaughn's performance was dynamic; his introduction was funny, but yet it was also serious. Mel Gibson played on Vaughn's strengths and skillfully crafted him as a character. Vince Vaughn's scenes really stood out in this movie. Teresa Palmer played her part with bravado. I was impressed by her performance because she could cry on cue. Palmer's character was firm and she stood her ground. Hugo Weaving stood out the most to me during the entire movie. His performance was gripping, mesmerizing, and he deserves an Academy Award.
At times, the movie felt extremely cheesy. Picture a Hallmark movie but with gruesome violence, and that's what Hacksaw Ridge is. I couldn't stand the cheesiness for a while, but I grew to accept it because the interpersonal and internal dynamics from some of the characters were gripping.
Mel Gibson knows how to craft a movie, and his sense of direction guided this along. At times the movie seemed bloated or exaggerated, for example, the war scenes seemed like they went on far too long, but there was a point within its context. You could say everything in here appeared to be glorified, but I could call that attention to detail. War is not pretty, war hurts, and this movie is as close as I ever want to get to it.
Overall, I enjoyed Hacksaw Ridge, and I could say that it's now one of my favorite movies from 2016. If you want to see a Hallmark movie with gruesome violence, then sit back and strap up, and prepare yourself because I think this will surprise you. Audiences are in for a real treat with this one.
Final Grade: A+