Spielberg Redefines the War Movie

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 1999)

The graphic, ugly, realistic depiction of violence in "Saving Private Ryan" sets this film apart from all other war movies. There is no glory in killing and dying here.
But there is much more to "Saving Private Ryan" than just us versus the enemy. The film asks, "What is the group's responsibility to the individual? What is the individual's responsibility to the group? What price is too high to pay in fulfilling these responsibilities?" Spielberg in his film does not supply the answers. If there are answers, it is left to the audience to come up with them.