Made in Australia

Rating: 2/10 (4 November 2016)

I was looking forward to this feel-good American, WWII hero story directed by Mel Gibson. Spoiler: it was filmed in New South Wales, Australia which immediately dropped my potential ranking down a star from the git-go.
I have as much 'Passion' as the next guy, but the first 'homie' HOUR of movie produced so many smiley faces I thought I was in a Disney Family movie.
Finally we are off to 1940s WWII Army boot camp and now I'm in a Lewis & Martin WWII training film. Vince Vaughn's 'drill sergeant' act belonged in an Abbott & Costello film. IF ANY American was in charge of U.S. military authenticity for the training scenes, they were drinking too many schooners of Fosters. I wouldn't cross the street with Vaughn's character, let alone go into battle with him!
Battle scenes: what can be said. The realism was 'Private Ryan' great, but how many disemboweled scenes are necessary? The dialogue, well get out the tissues again. Honest to Gosh I heard Sergeant Howell say, "..cover me.." as he was RETREATING. Battle dialogue was straight out of 1960s TV show 'COMBAT'.
Military authenticity is lacking at the weirdest times in this movie as if the director was hoping no one would notice. Most people won't notice; the feel good story overrules all.
Too bad for this movie. It deserves better, and in continued viewing through the years, I think it's going to be lowered in overall value: unless you have the Passion.