A movie split in two, where one part outshines the other.

Rating: 8/10 (12 December 2016)

While not as stylistically done as Full Metal Jacket, this movie is also clearly split in two. The first part of the movie covers the training, and the second one the war itself. I was not too fond of the first part (though it did have some fantastic moments), but the second part was so intense that when the movie was done, you have forgotten about most of the beginning of the movie.
There's something inherently difficult with movies like this, and it's unfair because it's not a fault of the movie itself. There's been made so many American war movies that portray an exaggerated heroic narrative, without any nuance, nor feeling that you are watching something that actually happened. Many of these movies were really good, but the tradition has led to me always being skeptical of these movies, especially when they say they are based on a true story. Now, Doss was a hero, and he more than deserves the portrayal of him in this movie, but it still feels hard to trust.
The first part of the movie is about the all American boy with an abusive father, deciding to do what he thinks is right. It really does feel like Mel Gibson proposing to the American audience. But, in between the rosy red scenes of wholesome American life, there are some really good moments. Hugo Weaving is incredible in this movie, and he steals every scene he is in. Especially a scene where the family is eating dinner, and he reacts to Doss' brother enlisting. Fantastic acting.
The second part of the movie, though, is great. From the Forrest Gump-like American boy in the training camp, it throws all the characters into war, and demonstrates beyond any doubt that war is hell. It's graphic, hectic and terrible, and it's impossible to look away. Despite everything happening at once, the movie manages to show what happens, and give you the feeling of being out there, and share a taste of the reality these young men were facing. And to think that this happened every day, many places, for years. They are all heroes, but the latter half of the movie is not so much about the glory (except some slow-motion sequences in the end). Which is how the heroes should be displayed. As (sometimes unwillingly) brave humans thrown into a situation beyond comprehension. And doing it because they believe it's the right thing to do.
The movie is worth watching. The historical inaccuracies are there, but they don't seem to be too major, and Doss was actually even more of a hero than what ended up on the film. The latter part is really good, and Hugo Weaving makes the first part enjoyable as well.