Thou Shall Not Kill, Except...

Rating: 7/10 (28 January 2017)

This movie reminded me of a childhood favorite character and his best line from his entire show:
"I will not carry a gun, Frank. When I got thrown into this war, I had a clear understanding with the Pentagon: no guns," says Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce, M*A*S*H.
(Frank snorts in disgust)
"I'll carry your books, I'll carry a torch, I'll carry a tune, I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash-and-carry, carry me back to Old Virginia, I'll even 'hari-kari' if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun."
Hacksaw Ridge and I have something in common: we both hate guns. At least, Spidey does.
I feel the same as Andrew Garfield's character did, but for different reasons. I all-around hate guns and if I never pick up one for the rest of my life, I will die happy. This movie, or another "true story," deposits other reasons for not holding.
This movie is very, very long. Did it need to be? Absolutely not. While not at the caliber as Pearl Harbor, it's fluffed with so much back story that's completely not intrigue to the final message/heroic mission, I wonder why Passion Director Gibson would pad it so much.
That all said, it was incredibly shot and ruthlessly real with war- scenes that went on for what seemed like hours. As much as I hate war as I do guns, I wasn't checked out by the carnage, but I was ready to get to the point.
And that point? Well, for the synopsis, we get background on Garfield's Doss' home life as WWII began. Additionally, his love interest, his complicated father and his passivism. He agrees to enlist with the "Everyone Else is Jumping Off the Bridge" hype, but only to medicate people despite his lack of schooling.
Following, we have a chunk of the movie where he stands against guns for various reasons, a war scene that seemed like a good third of the movie and come-full-circle climax that makes the entire movie worthwhile.
Truth be told, I didn't stand with Doss. His anti-killing attitude is admirable, but to enlist in a war that does just that is contradictory. It's like applying at a convenience store but refusing to sell cigarettes due to a moral high ground. Or wanting to be part of the NFL but refusing to work on Sunday, the Sabbath. Or a vegan chef at Arby's. Or being pro-choice and volunteering at a Republican convention.
Now, yes, all jobs are possible, but dumb. Nonetheless, he volunteers and what's to become of him needed to be told in film. Only, in just a tad bit shorter film.
Make no mistake: this movie is incredibly shot and if you want realistic wartime, borderline NC-17 blood and guts, this is the film for you. I'm sure some people would want that and just praise this for the gore alone. More power to you. Hackaway at more human beings.
***
Final thoughts: I gotta look this up. Okay, I did. Nope, I could not find the Japanese box-office totals for this. I bet they won't be very high. Like the Jews Gibson hates, you'll see how much he thinks of the "Japs" here.