Epic and Realistic

Rating: Null/10 (3 August 2014)

Shortly after the invasion of Normandy, a small group of soldiers is ordered to locate and rescue a paratrooper, Private Ryan, whose brothers were all killed in action during the war. This is the story of a group of soldiers who embark on a perilous journey to save the youngest brother of the Ryan family from Iowa. After the U.S. Army find out that all but one brother have perished during the war they order Captain John Miller, played by Tom Hanks, and his squad to locate and bring Private James Francis Ryan, played by Matt Damon, to safety. Miller's group believes in following orders but at what expense. The star-studded cast includes Tom Sizemore as Sergeant Horvath, Edward Burns as Private Reiben, Jeremy Davies as Corporal Upham, Vin Diesel as Private Caparzo, Adam Goldberg as Private Mellish, Barry Pepper as Private Jackson, and Giovanni Ribisi as Medic Wade.
The gunfire from the beach piercing the helmets and bodies of the soldiers on the launches occurs immediately as the launch opens. Descending from the launch, soldiers were drowning while attempting to reach the beach. The scenes move quickly; the film speed and the movement were as if you were in the middle of the action. This movie is filled with action, and Miller's squad has many obstacles to overcome while searching for Ryan, after he became separated from his squad while jumping into France during the invasion. This exhausting journey leaves the soldiers feeling hopeless at times and wanting to give up the search. They are torn between their loyalties to their duty and what they feel is right.
After receiving some information on a possible location for Ryan, the squad is walking through a field. Every footstep is heard despite the conversations of the soldiers. Reiben was complaining about the mission and asking the captain how he complains. Miller reminds Reiben of the chain-of-command and procedures. Miller listens to the conversations and interjects at time reminding his men about duty. The soldiers come upon a small town, hearing gunfire in the distance and mortar rounds; they approach the dilapidated building, cautiously watching for German soldiers. A family in one of the buildings wants the soldiers to take his children with them; Miller informs his men they cannot take the children. All the while Upham is translating to the parents they cannot take the children. Caparzo, disobeying his captain, takes a small girl from her father in an attempt to assist with getting her to safety.
Next, you see Caparzo laying in the street bleeding at the hands of a German sniper. The girl runs to her father and begins to yell at him and slapping him in his face. Caparzo is trying to get up, he removes a letter from his vest, and Wade adamantly instructed Caparzo to stay still. After several minutes the Jackson, the American sharp shooter, focused in on the German sniper and put a bullet straight through the scope of a sniper's rifle killing him with one shot. Caparzo was dead; Wade took the blood soaked letter from Caparzo.
The squad continues on, still searching for Ryan, they cross the path of German soldiers in a pasture, loaded with gunfire. Each side is firing upon one another; Wade is hit, once the fire ceases the squad run to Wade's aid. Their struggle with stopping the bleeding is hopeless Wade calls for his mama. He is undoubtedly frightened but the efforts of the men to alleviate his pain fails. The squad reaches the one German soldier that survived the shoot-out and start assaulting him and at the insistence of Upham, Captain Miller declares the soldier a POW. He is forced to dig a grave for Wade, once completed he is blindfolded and let go in hopes of the allies picking him up.
Eventually, they locate Ryan and deliver the news about his brothers and that he is going home. Ryan is with a group of soldiers who have been ordered to protect one of the last remaining bridges the allies need to win the war. Ryan refuses to leave his post, and Miller asks, "Is that what they are supposed to tell your mother, when they send her another folded American flag?" Ryan said, "Tell her that when you found me I was here, and I was with the only brother's I have left. There was no way I was going to dessert them. I think she'll understand that." battle. Not only were the fitting a war with Germany they were also in turmoil about what they should do?