A grade story B grade movie

Rating: 5/10 (14 February 2017)

I watched this movie with anticipation but was left uninspired by the at times second rate "TV movie" acting and ridiculous slow motion war scenes at the end. this movie doesn't resonate like Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers. The much hyped war scenes are a true indication of the horror of war but are filmed at times like an action movie. I don't think I saw a single soldier reload a gun and ammo just never ran out. The cinematography also had a TV feel to it. ( A noticeable quality of films shot in Australia portraying other countries) I wasn't aware of Hacksaw Ridge from previous war movies or Docos but I have one massive plot problem that was made worse by the end scenes. When the Japanese were shooting down from the top of the ridge..At what point did they not just cut the ropes to prevent the US army climbing back up??? This movie is cliché at best and every stereotype for the Japanese is on display. the scene where the Commander commits suicide before having his head chopped off was like a scene from a John Woo film!! it is a terrible scene and offered nothing to the film. I am glad that this story has been told..It is amazing, but just doesn't resonate the way it should. In fact I found myself thinking it was closer to " Pearl Harbor" than "Saving Private Ryan". Disappointing