Midway doesn't need artistic liberty

Rating: 8/10 (27 February 2020)

There were many well done action scenes, and character development (for the most part) was not bad. It was important to set the stage regarding the far-reaching impact of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor; however, there were missed opportunities to portray the overwhelming American sentiment after the Japanese attack. Moral on-base was really low, and many officers felt badly, given the circumstances: the overwhelming challenges, loss of lives, and the embarrassment of the battle.
Admiral Nimitz was really more of a hands-on leader, he had a silent presence and he understood the sense of urgency. The film did not fully portray his burden of rebuilding the Pacific fleet and how Washington was not willing to acccept failure.
While I also appreciated the attempt to develop the Japanese perspective, many of the portrayals were softened. For example, the Doolittle raid infuriated the Japanese public as several bombs fell on the the Emperor's grounds. The detail and character develop for Japanese commanders fell short too. Some facts were wrong, but the film isn't a documentary, it's entertainment.
Some scenes could have been cut: John Ford filming on Midway, the submarine scenes, the pilot's wife's gathering, and the capture and subsequent death of an American at the hands of the Japanese. It's a story about the battle and these subplots do not add any value.
Still, I wish the general public would also realize that no one "wins" a medal. The "receipients" are awarded their medals and recognized for their acts of heroism. An act of valor is NOT a competition. Sadly, I don't believe most Americans understand resolve and personal sacrifice. It would be a powerful lesson from history if we would be willing to listen, let alone learn it.