A good old-fashioned war drama

Rating: 7/10 (9 December 2016)

A good old-fashioned war drama about true-life young American hero in WW2 who didn't believe in killing a man or even holding a gun... but still wanted to serve his country so became a battlefield medic instead.
He rescued a lot of fellow soldiers and got Medal of Honor without shooting out a single bullet. Starring Andrew Garfield – and before you google or IMDb him, yes, he's the current Spider-Man.
Hacksaw Ridge doesn't really bring anything fresh to the war drama table. But it's not necessarily a bad thing because for all the clichés and simpleness it also manages to be one of those beautiful event movies which win us over by just how well they are put together in every aspect.
The battle scenes are as brutal and eye-catching as expected but I especially liked how the movie manages to work on different levels.
It reminds us that war was hell before it was all entertainment for the younger generations – but it also manages to be sweet and kind of feel- good, praising the good in our souls which can make us rise to the occasion and make the most of the bad situation. And, of course, action fans will not leave disappointed either.
It's also amazing how soulful performances the actors offer based on quite shallow one-dimensional characters.
Garfield is a true star here, giving his all as a boy not quite a man but ready to do man's job – all starry-eyed, idealistic and physically resembling a young calf at times – yet never giving up on personal quest to be worthy of own's ideals. You will totally buy him as a young American hero.
The supporting cast is strong too, especially Hugo Weaving as the hero's troubled father and Vince Vaugh as sgt Howell.
It is kind of ironic that after years and years of yawn-inducing talky roles in mostly mediocre comedies, Vaughn has found new calling in serious, violent stories such as "Hacksaw Ridge" and the mafia man in HBO's "True Detective's" season 2.
This is also kind of comeback/renewal for Mel Gibson, one of the more likable movie stars from the end of 1970's to the beginning of 2000's.
In the middle of 2000's, he suddenly stopped acting, directed two violent historical movies ("Passion of the Christ", "Apocalypto") and turned from a longtime family man and father of seven to seemingly homicidal maniac, if we believe the news and notorious recordings made by his neighbors, leaked to web.
He's returned to acting in 2010 but has been keeping lower darker indie- er profile ever since, so many of you have probably not seen him in anything new. Except maybe cameo-ing in Machete 2 and The Expendables 3. This time, he's "only" director and does a marvellous job at that, putting everything together and wringing the most out of the cast.
"Hacksaw Ridge" may not be remembered as one of the greats in crowded war movie genre but it's working beautifully in ts own right. Two hours well spent.