Decent, but underwhelming

Rating: 6/10 (21 July 1999)

First of all, before I get to my complaints, let me say that this is a fairly well-made, entertaining movie. Spielberg puts together a good flick, though I still maintain he has not achieved the status of Hitchcock or Kubrik. The battle scenes were fantastic and by far the most realistic that I have ever seen (not including The Thin Red Line). Anyone who thinks that Normandy was a glorious day should watch this film (which depicts the landing of the U.S. Army Rangers near Omaha beach, one of the most hellish fights in army history). And I do have to say that the cast was one of the greatest ensemble casts ever made. The scene where Hanks reveals who he his to stop a quarrel is just fantastic.
Now, having said that, this is NOT the greatest war movie ever made, as some have proclaimed. For one thing, I just find it patently ridiculous that a platoon of soldiers would be sent deep within enemy lines to save one guy. Maybe that kind of stuff happened, maybe not, but I find it very implausible. Unfortunately, a movie with a bunch of guys roaming the European theatre fighting Germans would have been worse. Another thing - one more role with a pompous Tom Hanks and I will vomit! He's a good actor, to be sure, but jeez. And Matt Damon's performance did not impress me either.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it :)