Good, Not Great

Rating: Null/10 (23 June 2001)

Spielberg was robbed! Spielberg was robbed! This was the rallying cry of the 1998 Oscars as "Shakespeare in Love" went on to win Best Picture in place of this dark portrayl of D-Day and the days following. This, however, is not my opinion. The FILM itself was robbed of appropriate actors, a strong script, and a good ending.
However, before ripping "Ryan" to shreds, let first tell you the good. The first scene is horrifyingly good. The stark, real, unedited scene truly shows you the horrors of war. Furthermore, it is mixed in with the artistic craftsmanship of Steven Spielberg (pay attention to the part where bullets pierce the underwater environment.)
Now, on to the bad. Tom Hanks, great as he may be, was not a smart choice for the leading role. He is so gentle in the role that you expect him to put the word "please" after every line. Second, Matt Damon, as the dreadfully forgettable Ryan. The last scene, which is drawn out, long, and at times boring. And finally, the final scene, which defies the meaning of corny by ending with an American flag flapping in the wind.
Saving Private Ryan is a good movie, not a great one. This situation would be best described as "its parts are better than the whole." Particularly, the first scene. So, see it for what it is, and please resist the temptation to shout "Cool!" This is a war movie, not Gladiator.