I'm Not a War Movie Aficionado But a Great Film...

Rating: 8/10 (29 April 1999)

This was truly a wonderful film from start to finish. I have never experienced war first hand, so I appreciated Spielberg's graphic depiction of the taking of Normandy Beach. The images of wave after wave of soldier being picked off by bullets or shrapnel truly gives meaning to the phrase "war is hell." Very few directors could do what Spielberg did for this first 20 minutes. Spielberg was able to build on this event and develop a story and a group of characters that the audience could truly identify with. Special kudos should go to Tom Hanks, whose presence on film easily matches that of Jimmy Stewart. In this movie Hanks embodies every American soldier who put his/her life on the line no matter the reason or the locale. A classic film that will be remembered for years to come.