Annoying Spielberg Epic

Rating: 7/10 (25 July 1999)

I must admit I watched this with apprehension, as I firmly believe that Tom Hanks should stick to doing comedy (The Burbs, Dragnet) and Spielberg hasn't made film better than Jaws in his whole career. Anyway, this film is over-rated. Sure the opening scenes are shocking and brutal. This is to show what war was really like, apparently. We all know what war was really like, so who cares?
Spielberg cannot decide whether to make a totally serious war film or a sentimental heart tugging Oscar winner. So he tries both. The comedy of the bumbling interpreter is out of place, and the sniper's amazing shot through the sight of another sniper's gun is plain ridiculous. Even more so, the feelgood ending made me want to vomit.
Bizarrely, Saving Private Ryan seems to be a shameless rip off of the Eastwood/Sutherland/ Savalas classic Kelly's Heroes. The end scenario is too similar to be coincidence, with the tank ambush, the radio music and the sniper in the bell tower. I spent the whole 2 and whatever hours thinking 'its Kelly's Heroes, but without the humour or the superb acting!'
While Saving Private Ryan is highly watchable, it is by no means a classic.
Watch Kelly's Heroes instead.