Timeless

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2008)

The brilliantly directed, Spielberg World War Two epic, Saving Private Ryan(1998) completely redefines combat action films up until this point. Whether you are one for extreme realism, or just like to watch things blow up, this movie is the epitome of all things good and pure in war movies. There is no compromise in this film, it seamlessly joins drama and action to form a movie that mom and dad would like. It follows a rag tag but elite squad of Army rangers through their historical landing on Omaha beach in Normandy France, to their journey to find and bring home Private Ryan ( Matt Damon) of the 101st airborne. Their mission was to find and retrieve Damon, and send him back to the United States after the tragic news of his three brothers dying in combat. The army thought the loss too great for his mother to bear. However, this was a reoccurring point in the movie, is the life of one worth the lives of many? The squad leader (Tom Hanks) delivers an Oscar- nominated performance that is unforgettable while acting side by side with Tom Sizemore as Sergeant Mike Horvath and Edward Burns as Private Richard Reiben.
The movie left me wanting more war movies of the same quality, immediately recognizing the world class directing, cinematography and editing. The emotion and intensity is captured by the shaky camera shots, to the low and high angle pans of the battle scenes and really brought home with the close up of the character's grief and pain. The directing really made this film; it not only enthralled the viewer during the movie, but powerful scenes left the viewer thinking long after the film was over. No matter how I describe the intricacies that make this picture great, none do more justice and give more description than just one word, Spielberg; the credibility is in the name. Sure enough, as credit is given where it is due the movie received five Oscars three of them being Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Cinematography (Janusz Kaminski) and Best Editing (Michael Kahn). It also won Oscars for Best Effects and Sound Effects, as well as Best Sound.
I would recommend this movie to anyone. If you're the ardent movie critic or just an average Joe, there is something that we can all appreciate about this film and leave with the same expression, "Wow." This piece of art is nothing less than the silver screen at its best; I give this film two thumbs up (more if I was humanly capable) and my full approval.