An Anti-War and Pro-War Movie...Pretension and ClichÃ© Embraced with Ease

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2017)

Mel Gibson's Directorial Return, after a 10 Year Hiatus, is neither an Anti-War or Pro-War Film, it is both.
If it wasn't a Documented True Story of Conscientious Objector Desmond Doss who Refused to Touch a Gun, although Enlisting to Serve in WWII, one might get the Impression that the Film was Allegorical about the Resurrected Jesus Christ.
That Impression is Felt once the Movie's Second Half turns to the Battle of Okinawa and the "Hero" of the New Testament finds Himself in a Hell that is the Human Condition and still Maintains the "Love Thy Neighbor" and "Turn the Other Cheek" Demeanor that He, by Example, Maintains throughout the Carnage and Slaughter.
The Film is Grounded with Good Performances, not only Andrew Garfield, but also with Hugo Weaving as Doss's Father Riveting and Bristling with Gravitas, and others Contributing the Fleshing Out (literally) needed to make the Movie Mesmerizing.
The Battle Sequences get a lot of Ink and they are Visceral with the Violence Sharply Cutting on the Edges of the Frame as Garfield's Doss Centers the Action with a Calm that Defies Normal Human Reaction. It's as though He is Cloaked with Protection from an Unearthly Source.
The Film is Rife with War Movie and World War II Era ClichÃ©s that are Presented with a Pretension of Ease and seem Ironically Necessary to tell the Story. The First Half Develops the Desmond Doss Character and the Second Half Deconstructs the Convictions of His Belief.
A Fine Film that is Recommended and Deserves the Attention it has Received because in its Glorious Simplicity it is Accomplished and a Rewarding Experience.