Horrific and distasteful, yet one of the best films I have ever seen.

Rating: 9/10 (19 September 2005)

Have you ever felt like you wanted to walk out of a film but couldn't? That's the type of movie this is. Before I continue, I must state that I will never willingly watch this movie ever again. Why? Well, I'll get to that.
This movie is superb. Niccol does a masterful job in telling a story about politics, war, and the darker side of the human spirit. Is this a movie with specific political intentions? I'm not sure. But it is definitely a movie with a lot of sarcasm towards "good" governments.
When I left this film, I had a horrible taste in my mouth. Do I blame the film? No. It took me a sleepless night to discover the reason. This film may not be a documentary but it is still very real. I am disgusted with the politics of war. I am humbled at the thought that it could be me committing any number of horrid deeds. It probably would have been me, if I was unlucky enough to be born on the wrong side of the globe. Am I a soft, sentimental type? Well, I'm much more sentimental than I expected.
And now, when it's all said and done, I just want to watch a different movie - one with a happy ending and an uplifting story. I want to forget what's happening around the world, but I can't.