Visceral opening, but then loses its intensity and lapses occasionally into over-sentimentality

Rating: Null/10 (6 February 2009)

This film is very well researched and the opening thirty minutes are intensely visceral as we experience the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. After such a stunning start, the film suffers because it never again captures that intensity. The story is simple and shows the American soldiers as good honest men who fight because it's their duty. Hanks is fine in an understated role. Matt Damon is slightly bland. No one else leaves much of an impression. The film descends into sentimentality frequently, and this does occasionally fell like overkill. Still, it's well worth watching.
Overall 7/10