Lacks Credibility, Impact and a decent cast.

Rating: 5/10 (4 September 1999)

This represents a great lull in Steven Spielberg's illustrious career. A collossol disapointment in almost ever aspect. The biggest problem though is the casting of recognisable faces such as Tom Hanks and Matt Damon. If Spielberg had chosen unknown actors he would have been able to reach emotional chords with the audience that wasn't achieved. Tom Hanks reaches emotional depth by squinting, Matt Damon by whining. The film's opening blood bath on the beach is a powerful image reinforced by many of the key scenes. But the film becomes bogged down in it's middle with prolonged memoirs and later in a lack lustre climatic battle.
After this film I was left trying to like it but in the end gave up. I believe Spielbergs directions of the battle scenes were oscar worthy but as for the rest it wasn't. A great disappointment from a first rate director.