faded glory

Rating: 6/10 (20 September 1999)

Very impressive battle scenes but ultimately the movie left me with the feeling that I was watching two flicks -- the first a very realistic account of war; the second an attempt by Spielberg to create a kind of "Apocalypse Now" (or "Heart of Darkness") version of World War II as the main characters stand around and talk about how surreal war is on their journey through the French countryside in search of Pvt Ryan. The beginning and ending scenes at the graveyard also struck me as silly and preachy. The D-Day landing by itself is enough of a reminder of what the world owes the men and women who fought and died in WWII without Spielberg Making Sure that We Don't Miss the Point.