Woody Harrelson as Admiral Nimitz - Need I say more?

Rating: 4/10 (20 February 2020)

Look, I'm a huge war movie buff, and always look super forward to seeing the next one, especially when they are called "Historically accurate". This movie was a bit of a mess. I know that it was covering a long period of time and attempting to cram in a lot of history, but it was almost unwatchable due to the cadence of the film. Mostly, the character portrayals were just terrible, not one made to be likeable. I've watched "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" each a dozen times, and that is because the characterization of the men who served in this horrific war was amazing and realistic, and truly honors their sacrifice. Somehow movies like "Band of Brothers" and "We were Soldiers" seems to truly capture the feeling of what these men went through. Midway falls short of doing those who served justice. It felt more like a bad history lesson, that was not completely understandable, filmed without care of the sacrifices of the actual servicemen.
I don't mean to mock Woody Harrelson, he's a great actor, but it just throws you off to be watching the pot smoking sex guru as one of our nations greatest Admirals. It's an indication of how superficial this film feels. Sorry Woody. The rest of the characters, specifically Dick Best, were too mouthy and anti-authoritarian to be a soldiers in the 1940's, no less be promoted to commanding officers. Just not realistic, and I don't feel an honorable representation of these men.
In the end, there are so many movies that young people should see to get as close to understanding and feeling something for the great sacrifices of the millions of Americans who came before them. But sadly "Midway" is not one of them. Watch it, because the history is important, but be prepared to be disappointed.